Radiator Paint Options: Powder Coat vs. Spray Paint?

Harry_6

I have a customer who's bathroom (steam) radiators have quite a bit of rust and flaking paint from the bathroom humidity over the years. In conjunction with other system work I suggested we pull them, have them blasted and repainted. My question is: what's the best option? At first I thought of powder coating, but I have no experience with it and have heard horror stories about finished radiators leaking. I, myself, was contacted by a guy looking for a new radiator to replace one that had cracked during powder coating. So what's good? primer and multiple coats? Epoxy? Your thoughts?

Jamie Hall

I suppose that I'm terminally lazy. And cheap. But -- I wire brush them with enthusiasm then paint them with a high quality primer (I use Bin, but there are others which are easier -- or harder -- to use) and then paint them with whatever colour paint I'm using on the walls nearby; I use top end acrylics (e.g. Benjamin Moore Aqua, currently). Works for me...

hot_rod

Wire brush with an angle grinder or drill motor, use a rust stop spray, and Rustoleum spray cans.

Powder coating runs around a 400° oven temperature, not all radiators can handle that.