What Paint Do I Use on the Radiator

PinkLady

Hello... do I need special paint for the radiator?? thanks

ckerrd

Radiator paint readily available from many places, including B&Q.

Better than normal emullsion or gloss

adandem

I just use ordinary gloss/satin/ I have used the quick drying stuff too and they haven't yellowed, flaked or peeled.;)

mercurystar999

Just gloss don't bother with anything else it aint worth it.

misgrace

If your rad has never been been painted you must undercoat first, best with oilbase, then do your gloss/satin.
If you gloss with undercoating your gloss will peel off.

pusscat

In my last house I used 1829 chalky emulsion on walls http://www.craigandrose.com/brands/1829/paints?type=93CHALKYEM

and acrylic eggshell http://www.craigandrose.com/brands/1829/paints?type=93ACRYLICE on the radiators.

I had no problems with cracking or anything else - I used a thin coat first and then a couple of thicker ones and it was fine. The rads had already been painted with something else before I moved in.

HTH

Puss

xx

Annabee

A few weeks ago I painted a radiator and used a special radiator enamel even though it was quite pricey because I thought it must be the correct thing to do. Found it was very thin, so you have to be careful of drips, and also DOESN'T dry to a shiny finish, like I'd assumed it would. Wish I'd just used gloss now.

Avoriaz

I have always used ordinary gloss paints, primers and undercoats and I have never had a problem. Paint when the radiators are cold and ventilate the room well. In cold weather you can turn the radiators on again soon after painting but it will stink for a few days and some people are sensitive to the fumes. In summer of course it is no worse than any other painted surface.

Are you planning on painting them pink?

I suggest that you consider getting the paint colour matched to the wallpaper or wall colour as it help them blend in and they appear less visible.

sandy2_2

We've always used just ordinary vinyl emulsion in the same colour as the wall so the rads blend in more. Never had a problem

imported_goldie

Does the emulsion not peel off when the radiator gets really hot? I want to do my kitchen radiator same colour asthe wall but they dont do the colour in gloss so would be good if i could use the vinyl emulsion.

donkey_on_edge

I recently sprayed mine with "pasticote radiator spray" (gloss White) (about £7.50 from the usual suspects), I took them all off, rubbed them down a bit hung them up in the garage and sprayed away
I guess it was alot of work to go to, not to mention a bit pricy (I did 5 Rads. using 4 cans of spray)! But they were minging before and cam up like new, beautifull finish with no brush marks! and far cheaper than replacing them!
And while they're off the walls its an ideal chance to put some of those reflective panels on the wall behind them! (i found B&Q the best value at a £5 odd per 5M roll) dont use doube sided tape to stick them on, they all fell off the next day! use glue!