tips on painting a radiator needed

ScoobieGirl

shown73 wrote:

...I've ... emulsioned, you name it. Never had a problem

Well you are blooming lucky. One the one (and last) occasion I used emulsion over a satinwood/gloss it peeled straight off one dry.despite me having sanded it down to give it something to key into.

MRSTITTLEMOUSE

I used Ronseal on the upstairs radiators and within three weeks it started to flake off,on the downstairs radiators I used hammerite radiator paint and got a realy nice stove type finish.I used satin on some and gloss on the others it took two coats and did'nt realy have a bad smell.It is a bit runny though and you are better working quickly.
I have used Hammerite before and my last radiators did'nt chip or need repainting in the 7 years we were in that particular house.
Ronseal is a defininate no-no.Hope you hav'nt opened it so you can take it back.

Peartree

Only time I've ever had a problem was with a specialist radiator paint. There really is no need for them. I just get an eggshell mixed up to the same shade as the emulsion I'm using for the walls. Do a few thin coats rather than one thick one to avoid drips in the 'grooves'. An eggshell finish is a bit 'flatter' so the odd drip or irregularity in the surface beneath is far less noticeable than with a 'shiny' gloss finish.

MissG_2

misgrace wrote:

MissG, just undercoat the rad with oilbased undercoat, dab a bit on the bare bits first, depending on existing colour, if its quite dark do 2 undercoats then a gloss.

Thanks for all the help everybody has given I really appreciate it.

I took the ronseal back to B&Q tonight and got a tin of undercoat and primer in 1 for wood, metal etc and I got a tin of satin in cotton white. When I got home I notice they are water based, does this matter as I want to get it started tomorrow?

Peartree

If you're going over the ronseal it depends if this was oil or water based. If you're going over bare metal should be OK.

If you're not sure, most paint manufacturers have a technical services dept and number you can call and ask for advice.

I always get my paint from Johnstones (not on commission!). Although not in DIY shops they do have a trade centre you can go to in most towns. Their technical services department is really helpful. If you tell them what you're trying to paint they will give you advice (as, I am sure, will other paint co's technical services department), they do specialist finishes to cover all sorts of problems and in my experience their paint is good quality, a v good price and you can get any colour you want mixed.

Don't open and keep your receipt on the other stuff until you're sure - although that multi-purpose primer v useful for all sorts of occasions!

MissG_2

Peartree wrote:

If you're going over the ronseal it depends if this was oil or water based. If you're going over bare metal should be OK.

I don't have a clue what has been used to paint it as it was like this when we moved in, looks like it's only been painted once as where it's started to flake I can see the original metal.

I haven’t used the ronseal as I was advised not to so I took it back

mozza68

Special SPRAY radiator paint is excellent, but as stated previously it can run if applied too heavy.
It does not yellow and gives an unbeatable finish.

Only downside is the initial fumes and cost but worth it in my opinion.

mozzy10

I have been painting my radiator with oil based radiator paint. 3 coats so far and not looking good.

Would it be ok to switch to using normal gloss paint for a final coat?

phill99

Why don't you start a new thread instaef of resurrecting one that is 3 years old?

mozzy10

Thanks for the useful reply :sad:

I thought it better to ask in a thread entitled "tips" than start a specific thread just for my question.

More people would get the benefit from the reply if they were just looking for general ideas/tips on painting radiators.