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Help Choosing a Color!

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mcvetyty
mcvetyty Member Posts: 50
in Strictly Steam
Hello - I am getting my steam radiators sandblasted and powder coated next week, but need some help deciding on a color! I'm planning to change the wall colors in the future, so I'm looking for something that: a) Will work with varying wall colors over the years and b) Will stand out as the radiators are ornate and want them to pop!

Any suggestions, recommendations, thoughts?!

Comments

  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    Well,
    I'm weird, but I want all of mine flat black.

    If I ever get the money to have them done, they will without a doubt be either flat black, or clear coated as natural cast iron.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,318
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    Just avoid any metallic colours. After that, it's your choice (or your significant other's...)
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    In spite of recommendations to avoid metallic colors,most radiators I have seen have been painted silver, by the dead men, and they heat the space properly. There may be some loss due to thermal emission inefficiency.--NBC
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
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    When radiators come back after being properly sandblasted and powder coated they are so gorgeous that I think any color would be beautiful. The trick to making them "pop" is how the color you choose interacts with the other colors in the room(s). While some colors are prettier than others, a color by itself is still just a color. But in the right combinations, colors become beautiful.
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
    SWEIDanny Scully
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
    edited August 2016
    Options













    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    SWEI
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    Black also will produce more IR output than most other colors I believe.

    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    Hatterasguy said:

    They stand out like a sore thumb.

    You're never getting black. I guarantee it.

    What do you want to bet, on that guarantee?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    @Hatterasguy what's the stakes?
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    ChrisJSWEIZman
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    Espresso
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    Choose the color you like. I avoid powder coating as does my radiator supplier.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    Pay the man @Hatterasguy
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    The bottom photo is in @ChrisJ house. His wife confirms he can paint them all that color. Robert OB and Brad White can confirm
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    He painted one black. Now he gets to paint the rest.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    My mistake. The bottom one is the one he showed his wife to get her to agree to paint them black.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    ChrisJ
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    If I had the money they'd all be blasted and painted black. The wife OK d it years ago and she just RE okd it on FB
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
    edited August 2016
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    He will. I do solemnly swear Mrs.J has said Mr.J can paint. Their radiators black.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    Oh but me having an 83 year old monitor top in the kitchen is normal. You lost and many guys on this forum saw her comment. It takes a special woman to live with me and I just got lucky
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Bob Bona_4
    Bob Bona_4 Member Posts: 2,083
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    I believe it. Chris is king of his castle.
    ChrisJ
  • Gordy
    Gordy Member Posts: 9,546
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    Hot rod red with flames for the man cave.
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    Bob Bona said:

    I believe it. Chris is king of his castle.

    Bob, you saw her say it. :)

    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    Bob Bona_4
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,062
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    Every man is King of the Castle......until the Queen gets home! :*
    ChrisJCharlie from wmassSWEIrick in Alaska
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    JUGHNE said:

    Every man is King of the Castle......until the Queen gets home! :*

    And then that queen says "I don't care if it's 95 out side, it better be 70 in here!"

    :)
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    Bob Bona_4
  • Bob Bona_4
    Bob Bona_4 Member Posts: 2,083
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    A common theme particularly with women of a certain age. Don't even try to mess with that. They'll tell you where you can stick your 74 design :)
    ChrisJ
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,842
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    One of our customers had us get one of her rads painted black.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    ChrisJ
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,062
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    So this is what you could all eventually experience if you have T-stats in most rooms: I go to bed in the winter, the windows are open, the T-stat for the BB is off it shows 58 in the room...however go into the bathroom that is set at 74 with heated floor & walls. My office end might be heated to 74.

    For AC that end of the house might be set at 73, my office end set at 76.....with me wearing light sweat pants and socks.
    And we are only on the upside of 65 years old....what will the future bring? There are only 2 temperatures in life....too hot and too cold, and those set points are constantly changing. :/
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    I also have a customer just north of Hartford with black radiators in her dining room and living room.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
    ChrisJZman
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
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    Charlie from wmass said:

    I avoid powder coating as does my radiator supplier.

    OK, you piqued my curiosity. Is there something I need to know about powder coating?
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    I see a red radiator and I want it painted black.
    No colors anymore, I want them to turn black.
    I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
    I have to turn my head until my darkness goes
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
    SWEIBobCNew England SteamWorksb_bz
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    @SWEI powder coating heats radiators to a temperature above normal operating range. If the cast iron is heated excessively and not cooled properly you have pretty sprinklers not radiators. I use enamel paint.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • SWEI
    SWEI Member Posts: 7,356
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    I've sure been impressed with the powder coated ones I've seen. Hadn't thought about the old, thin, just making it case.
  • Charlie from wmass
    Charlie from wmass Member Posts: 4,322
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    I have also seen a whole house where it rusted through the powder coating after one heating season.
    Cost is what you spend , value is what you get.

    cell # 413-841-6726
    https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/charles-garrity-plumbing-and-heating
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
    edited August 2016
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    Charlie from wmass said:

    I have also seen a whole house where it rusted through the powder coating after one heating season.

    Sounds like bad prep work to me.
    Powder coating is no different than any other kind of painting or plating for that matter, the prep is where it's all at. Done wrong, and it will fail.

    As far as I know, the only difference between powder coating and normal painting is how the paint is applied. Powder coating it's applied as dry powder and attracted to the metal via an electric charge and then baked on in an oven. The coating, ends up the same in the end.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,842
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    ChrisJ said:

    I see a red radiator and I want it painted black.
    No colors anymore, I want them to turn black.
    I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
    I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

    (sitting by a radiator in an overheated building)
    And the girls in their summer clothes
    In the cool of the evening light
    The girls in their summer clothes pass me by...............

    We all know your quote came from the Stones, but does anyone know where mine came from?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    ChrisJb_bz
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    Steamhead said:

    ChrisJ said:

    I see a red radiator and I want it painted black.
    No colors anymore, I want them to turn black.
    I see the girls walk by dressed in their summer clothes
    I have to turn my head until my darkness goes

    (sitting by a radiator in an overheated building)
    And the girls in their summer clothes
    In the cool of the evening light
    The girls in their summer clothes pass me by...............

    We all know your quote came from the Stones, but does anyone know where mine came from?
    UGH..........
    :)
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
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    "And the girls in their summer clothes
    In the cool of the evening light
    The girls in their summer clothes pass me by..............."

    -The Boss
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,698
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    RI_SteamWorks said:

    "And the girls in their summer clothes
    In the cool of the evening light
    The girls in their summer clothes pass me by..............."

    -The Boss

    Yeah,
    @Steamhead know's my "UGH" means The Boss. :)
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment

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