Radiators and Renovations

Painting Radiators

Hi Amy -

Oil based paints were phased out several years ago for homeowner use but were still available on a very limited scale to industrial painters though these are now be replaced with new latex paints that are especially designed for metal. You might want to go to a commercial paint store (one that only sells paint ) and talk to them and see have they have/recommend.  Rustoleum is still available as an oil based paint but is rather limited color wise. The problem with painting metal (commercially) is that latex is water based and the water contacting bare metal (iron), makes a rust spot.



Latex works fine too- I just mentioned the above as it might be worth checking out. i did mine in latex and I was very happy with the result.

As you mentioned use an alkyd oil-based primer first. It's better to use 2 thin coats of the primer rather than one thick coat as it will dry faster and also using 2 coats, you are more assured of complete coverage. As mentioned above if the latex touches bare metal without primer, you will get a rust spot that will show through the latex so make sure all the metal is covered with primer.



Brushes- At the suggestion of someone on this site I used  the "hotdog" rollers and a 1 inch artist's paint brush. An artist's brush has a long metal ferrule between the wood handle and the bristles which you can then, using pliers, bend to a slight angle to get between the radiator tubes. This worked really well.  You'll need a small straight brush also.  I also used a paint additive called Floetrol "Latex Paint Conditioner" which is made by Flood Chemical. (Home Depot's paint dept. has it).  It's made for latex and make the paint go on easy/smooth  and gets rid of the brush / roller marks.  While you have plenty of time for the paint to really dry before winter, you might want to fire up your system before it gets too cold  and heat the newly painted radiators with the windows open  just in case there is any residual outgassing (smell)  from the new paint.



Be really careful of your floor and surrounding areas.   When you clean the outside of the radiators you don't want the cleaner (I used TSP) dripping on your floor /walls. Also if you disconnect the radiator you'll get some rusty sludge dripping out. If you disconnect the radiator, be very careful working near the radiator or moving it as they are very heavy and can tip over easily when not attached to the pipe.



As to capping off the radiator upstairs. I don't know how long you have the house but I'd go through a couple of winters before I started removing radiators just to make sure you don't need it. I would also get a pro to do this for you as breaking old pipe joints can be a problem.

- Rod