Paint or replace radiators?

EssexExile

Belenus said:

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.

Ordinary paint for wood and metal still work fine on radiators. I can't believe people on a moneysaving site advising changing radiators instead of paining them!

Doozergirl

koalakoala said:

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

This.  New ones are much more efficient.  It isn't just about the MSE of painting vs purchase, I would make my decision on how cosy I could be!  

Belenus

Doozergirl said:

koalakoala said:

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

This.  New ones are much more efficient.  It isn't just about the MSE of painting vs purchase, I would make my decision on how cosy I could be!  

By more efficient, I presume you mean they put out heat more quickly. There won't be much if any difference in the cost of running the CH. 

If the existing radiators were properly sized for the boiler and the house and they are still capable of warming the house reasonably quickly, then painting them is the MSE answer.

If aesthetics or other factors apply, such as wanting smaller or neater radiators, or if the house is too cold with the existing system, then yes, replacement should be considered but that will cost a fair amount of money.

twopenny

Unpopular though it maybe and many have told me so but I used emulsion on new ones and topped up every few years when decorating so they blended in.

Worked for me. It was 40yrs before I had to touch up for rusty patches. But if they are old with rusty spots I'd rub that area down and use some rust inhibitor then go for the real radiator paint - providing they are working fine

JGB1955

We have our original 1985 radiators and hadn't even considered replacing them.  When we decorate a room we take them off, drain them, strip them down, then repaint with radiator paint.  Costs a few quid.  If it ain't broke, why fix it?  We have a decorating/replacing schedule of 2 rooms per year from an accumulating fund of 1% of the value of the house per year.  One year it might be £24K (new kitchen and bathroom), most years it's just a new carpet and paint.  

Belenus

twopenny said:

Unpopular though it maybe and many have told me so but I used emulsion on new ones and topped up every few years when decorating so they blended in.

Worked for me. It was 40yrs before I had to touch up for rusty patches. But if they are old with rusty spots I'd rub that area down and use some rust inhibitor then go for the real radiator paint - providing they are working fine

I don't see how emulsion paint, or any water based paint, will cause a radiator to rust. The water content is just a medium for carrying the pigments etc and it evaporates. By the time the paint has dried and the radiator has got hot water circulating through it, all the water will surely have gone. Am I missing something?

The problem with emulsion paint is that it cracks and peels off easily from a metal radiator that regularly goes from hot to cold and is nowhere near as durable as wood and metal paint or specialist radiator paint.

If you want to paint your radiators with paint that matches the emulsion on your walls, then most paint shops will be able to match the emulsion colour with a paint suitable for them.

Jeepers_Creepers

I've used water-based Dulux Satinwood on some old rads, and it works fine - good finish, no peel, doesn't 'yellow', and only needs touching up 'cos daughter is careless (it ain't as tough as standard rad finish).

I've even painted one rad matt black to increase its output. (Stands back...)

So, OP, if you want/prefer to paint your rads, fill your boots.

The only other reason - other than cosmetic - you may wish to replace them is for extra output. I don't necessarily mean so they make the room warmer, but so that you get the same heat out but with a lower boiler flow temp = more efficiency.

Are these 4 rads in 'living' areas? If so, if you do decide to replace them, give some thought to going 'up' an output level - eg a double panel to replace a single. Additional convector fins, etc. .

FreeBear

Jeepers_Creepers said: Are these 4 rads in 'living' areas? If so, if you do decide to replace them, give some thought to going 'up' an output level - eg a double panel to replace a single. Additional convector fins, etc. .

When changing from (say) a single flat panel to a panel+convector fins or even a double panel, you need to be mindful of the distance it sticks out from the wall. The pipework will invariably need adjusting - If you are going from an old imperial size radiator to a new metric one, pipework will certainly need modifying.