Painting Steam Radiators

Joe Joyce

Hi - I’m looking for advice on repainting my steam cast iron radiators, currently silver.  

I read that silver is the worst color to use, but looking for advice. Thanks, Joe

Larry Weingarten

Hi @Joejoyce , This might help! https://heatinghelp.com/systems-help-center/radiator-paint-colors/

Yours, Larry

ethicalpaul

It's only the worst if the area served by that radiator is too cold. Usually it's the best because radiation is often too large for the heat loss of the room it's in (with the windows shut at least).

Silver paint will make a radiator radiate less, which is often a desired result (as I think the article that Larry linked discusses)

Of course, if you paint all your radiators silver (or partially cover them, etc, then that can exacerbate the problem of having the boiler be oversized....it's all a system