Radiator Paint Question

berm

I recall reading in one of Dan's books that steam radiators painted with metallic paint (silver or bronze) will give off 10 to 20% less heat than those painted with nonmetallic paint. Several of my radiators have been spray painted silver metallic. To switch to nonmetallic paint do I need to strip the silver paint off or can I just paint them over in white or black? Cosmetics aside...is this worth the effort.

crash2009

emissivity

Sounds like you want to get that 10-20% back that the silver paint has taken away.  Painting right over it will work.  For more information, try searching the wall for "emissivity"  Much has been written on the subject

berm

Thanks

I'll try that.

nz

Painting

I recalled reading about this a while ago, here are some useful links:



http://www.heatinghelp.com/files/posts/6704/Radiator%20Paint%20Effect%20With%20Thermograph.pdf



http://www.heatinghelp.com/article/158/Radiators/1265/Does-the-Color-of-a-Radiator-Matter