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Pricing on refurbished cast iron radiators

QuintonS
QuintonS Member Posts: 47
in Strictly Steam

Doing a case study for a potential business idea… How much would you guys pay for an avg sized cast iron radiator that has been sandblasted & repainted to look more modern?

Comments

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,582

    Pennie’s.

  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 11,273

    That is a rare occurrence, and often something from the scrap metal dealer will be good enough to replace a busted or leaking radiator. Painting is up to the homeowner when the system is back up and running. Replacing frozen radiators that have cracked is the most common cause of needing a replacement CI radiator. I don't believe there is a big market for new construction needing refurbished CI radiators. Boiler replacement is more often the job that we are called to do. All the radiators are usually just fine on those jobs.

    Just an opinion from a retired oil heat & boiler man.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

  • plumbworker
    plumbworker Member Posts: 11
    edited September 8

    these guys seem to have a market for refurbished cast rads.

    https://ironworksradiators.ca/cast-iron-radiators-canada/

  • psb75
    psb75 Member Posts: 1,071

    Hat's off to Canada!

    Um…better keep that hat on.

    PC7060
  • Mad Dog_2
    Mad Dog_2 Member Posts: 8,336

    Unfortunately, as beautiful as they are, the market demand for them is very, very small. Ask me how I know....Mad Dog

    Consulting by Mad Dog & Matt Jr.
    GrallertIntplm.
  • psb75
    psb75 Member Posts: 1,071

    I always keep an "eye out" for them. They are wonderful heating devices from a bygone era that have stood the test of time and peform superbly— even into the future.

    Mad Dog_2Grallertkcopp
  • Grallert
    Grallert Member Posts: 999

    It's a rare customer who wants a cast radiator or a good sales person who can sell one. If someone is looking to head with water they are more likely to go with radiant or panel radiators. In some cases I've been able to sell a cast radiator for an entry way, you know to warm your mittens on. It's a small market.

    Miss Hall's School service mechanic, greenhouse manager, teacher, dog walker and designated driver

    Mad Dog_2
  • JimP
    JimP Member Posts: 96

    That’s really a nice website and resource. It’s neat that each refurbished radiator has its own name!

    I wonder if they only sell in Canada.

  • The Steam Whisperer
    The Steam Whisperer Member Posts: 1,307

    I can't necessarily address pricing, but a company I work with I believe sells several thousand used radiators a year here in Chicago. He's completely reinstalled all the radiators in many multi-unit buildings that are being brought back after sitting abandoned and all the radiators were stolen.

    To learn more about this professional, click here to visit their ad in Find A Contractor.
    Grallertdabrakeman
  • hot_rod
    hot_rod Member Posts: 25,918
    edited September 9

    Castrad brings new radiators in through Canada and NYC.

    Not all radiators hold up to the 400 degree powder coat ovens.

    If it has rubber seals??

    https://www.castrads.com/us/product-category/cast-iron-radiators/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21481582259&gbraid=0AAAAAD-zNQ77AUMb1JP7Q9E1MTtpq6laK&gclid=CjwKCAjw_fnFBhB0EiwAH_MfZhijKobmlW_gHm-E8TT7bjhCYIUCfgjmfSyEmtQ6I1GVu2f26G63DxoChxMQAvD_BwE&modal-heat-source=144&heatOutputUnit=BTUs

    Bob "hot rod" Rohr
    trainer for Caleffi NA
    Living the hydronic dream
    clammyWaher
  • offdutytech
    offdutytech Member Posts: 212

    It's a very small market in most areas. Here in the Detroit area I refer my customers to a powder coating company so they can go look at the samples and drop it off. I will usually just uninstall and reinstall the rads once they are done.

    Owner of Grunaire Climate Solutions. Check us out under the locate a contractor section. Located in Detroit area.

    dabrakeman
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 14,608
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1864310#Comment_1864310

    They generally are metal to metal seals with some sort of pipe dope, either left-right nipples or push nipples. It is possible the extra expansion from the powder coating oven could make them leak although I don't think that is very likely.

  • CoachBoilermaker
    CoachBoilermaker Member Posts: 415

    I think they are being removed for heat pumps faster than being replaced ?

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,050
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1865862#Comment_1865862

    Can't fix stupid…………….

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Waher
  • CoachBoilermaker
    CoachBoilermaker Member Posts: 415
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1865920#Comment_1865920

    Curious on your thoughts on people who remove cast iron steam/oil/gas in favor of heat pumps.

    Pros/cons?

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 18,050
    edited September 25
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1865925#Comment_1865925

    Stupid. Those buildings will never be comfortable again, and will use more energy in vain attempts at comfort.

    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
    Waher
  • dabrakeman
    dabrakeman Member Posts: 784

    …and they will be lucky to last half as long as the boiler.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,582
    https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1865925#Comment_1865925

    no pros going 100% heat pumps.

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 18,833

    Most women (not trying to disparage them) think CI radiators are ugly, and some think they are a danger to toddlers who will get burned to a crisp.

    When we were little, we grew up with steam in old houses and learned to stay away from them.

    Who wants to fight that battle that can't be won?

    Little Tommy gets burned and you will hear about it until the day you die.

  • RTW
    RTW Member Posts: 241

    I respectfully disagree with opinions suggesting no market for re-furbished cast iron radiators

    At least in New England its profitable for Radical Radiators just outside Boston

    Here are LINK S

    About — making people warm... (HOME)

    Radical Radiator Restorations in Malden, MA 02148 - 617-733...

    a number of years back,I purchased a radiator from them to add to my system and matched perfectly with others, though not cheap . They do test, sandblast, prime and paint before sale

    Regards,

    RTW

  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,531

    In NE heat pumps are great for the shoulder seasons and any mold winter days but if you size them for a cold winter day you will be oversized come summer. My Minisplit was installed in 2016 and it keeps the first floor nice and comfy on hot days and on fall and mid spring days is cuts down on boiler run times.

    Bob

    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
    pecmsg
  • shambles
    shambles Member Posts: 16
    edited September 28

    There's a place in Duluth that advertises in a few regional sources I've seen = this might be them:

    https://www.northlandradiatorllc.com/

    (can't be sure as it doesn't come in on any web browser I use; maybe works better on yuppie i-phones)

    I, a house-owner not a hydronics specialist, may call them to get replacements for a couple 1960s-70s replacements in future (if I don't see any proper sized at the Restore first). My 100 year-old ones are perfect and beautiful and strong and US made. I've seen adverts for expensive modern radiators also, so starting with the big rich cities I'd expect this to expand outward, esp. as 'high technology' becomes more expensive & less convenient.

  • pecmsg
    pecmsg Member Posts: 6,582

    biggest issue with reusing them is the shipping. If local that’s not a problem, 100, 200, 1000 miles trucking that amount of weight is big $’s. Needs to be strapped to a pallet and a fork truck or pallet jack needed to move.

    Canucker

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