grr my radiator valves are painted over!!

hullaballoo

hi there

grr my radiator valves are painted over!! :mad: I have scoured the diy pages online to no avail. I have found instructions on how to bleed a radiator. Can anyone please advise me on how to bleed a radiator when the valve is painted over?

much obliged for any help
Hullaballoo

lewt

that must be soo upseting mate. could you maybe put paint thinner on them for a while then turn really hard?

sooz

i know this works with painted over screws, so maybe...........try turning the valves as if you wanted to tighten them - just enough to break the paint seal, then turn the other way to undo.

alanobrien

Some paint stripper on an artists brush would clear it up quick enough.

Avoriaz

Just use brute force. You must be stronger than a thin film of paint. Close both supply and return valves tight shut just in case something goes wrong as you don’t want a flood. Make a note of how many turns are on the supply valve so that you can return it to the same position later. This does not matter if the valve is fully open or if a thermostatic valve is fitted. It does matter if the system has been balanced by the traditional method of partially closing some radiator valves so that all radiators and rooms get the heat they require.

Scrape as much of the paint away as possible until you can get the radiator key on the nut and then turn it as hard as you can. Use pliers or similar to get more leverage. If you have a wooden or rubber mallet, or even just a piece of heavy wood or heavy screwdriver handle, a few hard blows on the key may be enough to break the paint seal.

Common sense should tell you how much force you can use without actually damaging the radiator or the bleed valve but I would be surprised if the valve broke before the paint.:rotfl:

If it works, remember to open the valves again and then bleed the radiator.

misgrace

The best thing to use on oilbase and water base paint is 'brush cleaner' from any DIY stores, yes, it is to clean brushes, but over the years I have found it excellent to get paint of UPVC, door handles, carpet etc, and it does'nt damage the item either.
Just apply on your valves, leave for a few mins, preferbly with the rad off, then get an old scourer type of thing, wet it in soapy water and scour the valve, you will be amazed how easy the paint comes off.

roswell

Get an adjustable spanner / wrench, slowly (very slowly) loosen the end cap on the other end of the radiator, as soon as the air starts hissing out watch for water spitting and tighten up.

hullaballoo

thanks guys, feel like such a numpty. So glad I asked your advice and received so many helpful replies.

I will give the paint stripper idea a go. Hopefully, the valve will shift with the gutsy combination of brute force, ignorance and stripper (sounds a bit like a new boy band) :rotfl:

with warmest crimbo wishes
hullaballoo