Painting a radiator with emulsion paint

Cordie

Does anyone here have experience of painting a radiator with emulsion paint. I'm thinking of doing it on a radiator that hasn't been painted since it was installed but it is in a prominent position and I'm afraid that if it goes wrong I won't be able to easily remove the paint.

anotherbaldrick

Emulsion won't be satisfactory . Drain the radiator and remove it , clean it down and degrease it and spray it with a can of radiator paint laying the rad flat .

imho

I have painted my bedroom radiator with emulsion paint the same colour as the walls. Its ok if you dont knock it as the emulsion comes off easy but i just use a cotton bud and cover up where paint has come off.

Doozergirl

You can paint a radiator in eggshell paint the same colour as your walls. It will stay much better than emulsion. Emulsion is definitely not a long term option.

BobQ

You can paint it with any paint you like but if you plan to use the radiator better to use a proper radiator paint which will not peel.

Biggles

I've painted many radiators over the years, some with standard gloss, some with emulsion (in order to match the walls). Never with radiator paint. As long as the radiator is cold when you paint it, and the paint is dry before you turn it on again, it will be fine and last as long as the paint on the walls.

bryanb

Biggles wrote: »

I've painted many radiators over the years, some with standard gloss, some with emulsion (in order to match the walls). Never with radiator paint. As long as the radiator is cold when you paint it, and the paint is dry before you turn it on again, it will be fine and last as long as the paint on the walls.

Yep, me too, has lasted 6yrs so far. Emulsion showing no sign of failure.

nickj_2

i've painted loads of rads with emulsion , soft sheen finish is the best to use ,
for a good finish , give rad a sand down and a wash , then give it a coat of undercoat , something like zinsser bullseye then a couple of coats of soft sheen , as long as the rad is in good condition the paint won't come off

AndysDad

anotherbaldrick wrote: »

Emulsion won't be satisfactory . Drain the radiator and remove it , clean it down and degrease it and spray it with a can of radiator paint laying the rad flat .

I guess you have a lot of time on your hands.Just do what posters have said in posts 6 and 7.:cool:

Marauder999

I painted some radiators a few years ago with emulsion but before doing it put a coat of special radiator paint (a bit like varnish) on. Can't remember the name of it tho but have look in the specialist paint section.

adandem

I use water based gloss or 'everywhere' paint.