paint for radiators

johnnyge

I just finish remodeling the kitchen and I want to have the radiator (one pipe steam) sand blast it and paint. What kind of paint should i used as a prime and later apply the same paint and color that I used in the walls.I used in the walls Satin. I will Like to know if that is the way to go or do I have other options. Thank You in advance to all the wallies.

Ken L.

paint for radiators

I have 3 answers for you.

1. I read an article in the NY times that recommended beige paint. The author claimed that beige transferred the most heat. Beige spray paint is hard to find. I used Rust-oleum High Heat in an off white color. I would suggest finding a spray paint close to the color of your kitchen. Beige looks good almost everywhere.

2. Overall, color or type of paint does not matter. Paint does not insulate the radiator. I'm pretty sure I read this in Dan's book.

3. My friend, an old Navy man and an engineer painted his flat black. Black he claimed transferred the most heat. Which gets hotter in the sun, the side walk or the blacktop?

I did not prime mine, just stripped and painted. Be careful as older paints may have lead in them. I have used paint removing solvents, scraping and sand blasting. I used the solvents before I owned an air compressor. Both are labor intensive.

The best way to do this is to farm it out to a body shop or metal working house. The metal working house can powder coat. Both can sand blast. Less time on your part but more $$. And, you must find someone to do it, lug it there, etc.

johnnyge

Thank you for your advise Ken. Asd a matter of fact the color that I had in mind was Beige, which is closed to the color that we use in the kitchen. I will try my local body shop if they can help me with my radiator project.

Unknown

I could have sworn that I read somewhere that after the Spanish Influenza and people started to close the windows of their houses with hugely oversized heating systems, the goverment did studies with what kinds of metalic paints would retuce the output of radiators.

I'll dig around and see if I cant cite a referance somewhere.

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Unknown

I could have sworn that I read somewhere that after the Spanish Influenza and people started to close the windows of their houses with hugely over sized heating systems, the government did studies with what kinds of metallic paints would reduce the output of radiators.

I'll dig around and see if I cant cite a reference somewhere.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

John Doll

I read the same thing. It is in Dan's homeowners guide. Dan says that the # of layers of paint don't matter but a metalic top coat reduces the radiators ability to produce radiant heat.

ttekushan_3

here:


This is the article:

Ken L.

how I did it

For all who are curious and have compressed air at +100 lbs per square inch:

I picked up a discontinued sand blaster via online order at Sears. It is model number. 00918635000
Was a bit of a pain to keep refilling. If you will use again and again, get the 50lb model.

I got my first 25 lbs of grit from eBay. Then I found it local at a hardware store nearby.

http://stores.ebay.com/CONSOLIDATED-STRIPPING

Good luck and have fun!

Ken