Radiator painting advice needed

wishuponastar

My radiator in bathroom has got rust spots where my towel doesn't cover, i think from condensation build up but where my towel is, that seems to have absorbed the moisture in the air so there is a rectangle free patch which is about as big as the radiator so it's really just the bottom area that has gone rusty a bit. Never done this before but i was going to sand and repaint the whole of it to fix it. I started looking for radiator paint and then in my research  all sorts of other things came up so my questions to the knowledgeable out there are...
1. is satin or gloss (both white) better for radiators or is it just preference (both radiator paint)
2. if i get radiator paint , is that automatically mixed with a primer? or not?
3. If not, do i need a primer? if so is there a special primer for radiators? or can any regular paint primer do? As when i've looked on ebay i can't find specific primer for radiator. Can anyone recommend any specific ones?
4. Any other tips to consider when doing it? 
Thanks to all in advance.

mdni

My radiator wasn't rusty, just chipped and scruffy looking as about 25 years old so can't tell you about sanding, etc, however, I successfully used radiator spray paint.  I covered all the surrounding area with newspaper, including pipe fittings and sprayed. It's very smelly but the job is done in less than three minutes. 

It hasn't gone yellow or flaked in three years. (and I must admit to the only preparation was a 5 minute sand down and wash with sugar soap so I'm very pleased)

wishuponastar

I can see the metal in areas because the rust is kind of coming in flakes off, (if that makes sense) so from what i read that was making me think i'd need primer. I was thinking to go down paint tin and brush route, not the aerosol one even though it does sound quick and easy fairly with the aerosol, but i don't like the strong smells from aerosols.

Ajmason42

hammerite do a good rad paint that you can brush on.

FreeBear

For rusty areas, I'd suggest giving it a scrub with a stiff wire brush (to remove any loose stuff) and then paint with Jenolite or similar. Alternatively, use a zinc rich primer (after scrubbing). Have a look in your local car accessory shop (Halfords & others) for rust treatments rather than the likes of B&Q. Wilko, B&M, Home Bargins and their ilk may have suitable products.

If you want a nice smooth finish, pick up a tube of body filler to build up the chipped areas (tip - Reduce the amount of hardener by 10-20%. Gives a slower setting time, but it is a little more flexible).

Niv

I just sanded it down (It had been previously painted by the last owner) and used regular satinwood to match the wood detail in the bathroom. 1 year later zero issues.

TELLIT01

We've just used normal gloss paint on our radiators with on problems.

jbainbridge

I recently used the B&Q radiator paint when painting the bathroom .. though not perfect I'm very pleased with the result.

wishuponastar

Thanks all who have replied so far, that is good to know all the useful tips. I think from what i understand that a separate primer is not needed, unless i want to use a body filler type of thing to make the surface level if after sanding it is not level. I'll look up the different paints everyone has suggested, thank you. 

princeofpounds

Personally I'd just get a new radiator that doesn't rust.

DD265

princeofpounds said:

Personally I'd just get a new radiator that doesn't rust.

I'd be that way inclined as well. I know it's not as money saving, but when I recently painted a couple of ours (brush and proper radiator paint - can't remember brand, didn't prime) I was a bit disappointed with the finish. I found the paint really difficult to apply without brush strokes, and once it was on I couldn't go over it again as it was drying so quickly. Admittedly it's only visible if you look closely, but I know it's there!