using matt paint on on radiators

dreaddan

does anyone know if you can use normal matt paint (or rather matt 'one coat' of the kitchin matt stuff) on radiators?

cheers
dan

Melissa177

Apparently not, although I only found out after I did the same thing!

You should use paint which says "wood and metal paint".

Standard matt emulsion, even one coat, is water based and therefore will crack quite quickly with the heat.

ManAtHome

Last time I painted one, I used car spray paint - still there (about 20 years later).

TheOne

Not a good idea. Chances are it will fail when the radiators get hot. (Sorry that's in reply to the original post!)
Use something like gloss or satinwood. Both should be available in solvent based or water based. If you're not sure check on the tin. Also on the tin, if it's a decent brand (Lets face it we're probably talking about Crown or Dulux here) there'll be a phone number on the tin for the manufacturer, call them for technical advice.

misgrace

Dont use any waterbased paint like emulsion on rads.

if they have never been painted, then you can undercoat them using an oilbase paint, then do your gloss, or satinwood/eggshell whatever you prefer, again oilbased.
They wont flake or peel off with oilbase, but with emulsion......

Penelope_Penguin

I've e-mailed Dulux in the past, and had prompt, helpful service. Click here.

HTH, Penny. x

greyteam1959

Sorry to be so obvious but read the label on the tin......it will always say if you can use it on radiators.

ictmad

you get special radiator paint,we used to sell it but no demand for it now

looby-loo_2

I too have used radiator spray paint, available in many colours. I've used white and it's kept its colour (5 years and 3 years at least)
Cover the surounding area well and the smell is strong so open windows but its so fast the job is done in about two minutes! Brilliant stuff

specialK

I used kitchen and bathroom paint on the rad in my bathroom, it has not split and it seems to look cleaner.
(It was a soft sheen paint, but it looks matt on the rad.)

My MIL paints all her rads in emulsion (marble effect, plain etc) and has done since she got them installed years ago, hers have never cracked and they do look nice.

Poppycat

Oil based paint should be fine, didnt seem any difference even after a efw years compared with radiator paint. I agree make sure it is oil based, even gloss paint can now be low odour, or water based its rubbish. I have tried it from several makers and just dont like it, it doesn't last from what I have used.