Paint or replace radiators?

hello007007

I have 4 radiators that are exposed and look awful. I've clean but they are still looking yuck. I can paint them but will this mean I loose heat or I will need to repaint often?

ideally, I would like to get them replaced but I am worried it about the costs.

What would you do?

pramsay13

Paint them 

TELLIT01

You will not lose heat by painting them.

Ajmason42

Paint them hammerite do a radiator paint that does smell unlike others

fenwick458

have you considered those wooden radiator covers?
you definitely won't lose heat with either repainting or even a cover.
repainting is hard work though, I have tried to repaint them before but it just either comes off again, or the rust comes through again.

koalakoala

I have just replaced some radiators, they weren’t expensive at all. And so much better heat than the old ones

fenwick458

koalakoala said:

I have just replaced some radiators, they weren’t expensive at all. And so much better heat than the old ones

they are so much better when they are new yeah but won't last as long as older radiators unfortunately. 

[Deleted User]

We had a plumber replace a large rad last year cost less then £80 rad and labour, have them replaced one at a time maybe?

littleboo

I've recently refreshed a radiator by taking it off, cleaned, rubbed down, primed where necessary, sprayed several coats of radiator paint. Used the plastic clip on covers on the pipe stems. Looks pretty good, a definite improvement

cattom

you can paint them. you can get radiator paint in various colours. or hammerite. give them a good rub down with some wet n dry paper. get all the loose paint and rust off first. read the instructions and you should be fine. 
If you do paint them. do not paint them with emulsion as some bloke did in my mums bathroom. emulsion is water based, radiator is metal. 2 together =rust. 
or if its easier, as you say have them replaced.

Belenus

I have successfully painted radiators with the same gloss paint I used on the skirting boards and doors etc.

That was in 1994 so maybe current paint formulas won't work so well.