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boiler paint

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VTsteam
VTsteam Member Posts: 37
in Strictly Steam
I'm assembling a new, 5 section, cast iron boiler. The castings are pristine, bare iron. As is, the outside surfaces will be well rusted within a year. Is there any harm done prime & painting the exterior surfaces with an industrial, urethane enamel? We have a paint booth and routinely paint new machine tool castings with Polane. Intent is to preserve the laboratory-like boiler room. Have bright painted walls, polished tile floor and brass valves. I appreciate a system clean enough to eat off as to spot any leaks instantly.

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  • nibs
    nibs Member Posts: 511
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    There are others here with far more boiler experience than I, How hot will the hottest spot be? Since you have a paint shop, test the paint put a small patch on the catalytic converter of your car/truck , and another on the muffler, as a test. drive home and back and check the paint.
  • lchmb
    lchmb Member Posts: 2,997
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    wonder if it would give off a smell from the heat.. It will have a jacket on it, I'd just keep that waxed..;)
  • VTsteam
    VTsteam Member Posts: 37
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    Polane is exceptionally durable and chemical resistant. Is intended for machine tool applications were it is blasted with blue-hot steel chips. I have used it on cast iron engine blocks and heads with no adverse effect. Even after 15 years of such use appears fresh. Never noted any odors once cured. However when drying, is very toxic.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,835
    edited August 2018
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    VTsteam said:

    Polane ........... when drying, is very toxic.

    That's reason enough not to use it in the workplace or house.
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • HVACNUT
    HVACNUT Member Posts: 5,835
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    What brand boiler are you installing?
    The way I understand it, there won't be a jacket on the block. If that's right, is the boiler in a place where the standby losses dont get totally lost?
    At 180° limit the temperature of the block shouldn't go over 190°.
    I would think any hight heat spray paint will do.
    Is the block going to be 1 color or each section different?
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,061
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    A engine block and heads are outside.
    When they get hot they usually have a bodacious amount of fresh air passing over them if going down the road and a fair amount of air even if not moving.

    Your boiler will have minimal air flow on the cast iron, just enough to emit any smells from any residual oils etc.
    I would not do it FIWM.
    1Matthias
  • gerry gill
    gerry gill Member Posts: 3,078
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    you want to paint the block?
    gwgillplumbingandheating.com
    Serving Cleveland's eastern suburbs from Cleveland Heights down to Cuyahoga Falls.

  • jumper
    jumper Member Posts: 2,247
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    How about coating the water side? With something scale can't adhere to?

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