Paint Radiators - Yes or No?

Minorchord

Is it okay to paint radiators and, if so, any special paint?

Jamie Hall

Why not? Get them nice and clean -- I use a scraper and a wire brush, but some folks get fancier -- and go ahead. I use a high quality interior acrylic, like Benjamin Moore Aura.

Waher

Scraper and wire brush isn't a good idea if the radiator has lead paint (highly likely).

Any high quality low VOC interior latex paint will work. You will want to paint the radiators while they are cold and let the paint completely cure before introducing heat.

SlamDunk

Latex....not oil based like rustoleum. It will take years to get rid of the smell.

flat_twin

SlamDunk said:

Latex....not oil based like rustoleum. It will take years to get rid of the smell.

I'm going to disagree with the oil based paint smell lasting a year. We painted the kitchen radiators over the summer with Rustoleum enamel. There was a little gassing off smell for a couple days at the start of heating season. No odor at all after that. These are hot water rads that see supply temps 88 to 142 degrees.

SlamDunk

Years. But our steam heating season is very short. 4 weeks max. This year so far, four days. That was our experience

Mad Dog_2

There is nothing like a sandblasting and powder coat from an Auto shop with the right (Non-Stinky)paint. Mad Dog