Radiators painted shut

Yazmina

How do I get the end of a radiator open so that I can clean inside it, when the end has been painted over?  

Bendy_House

To clean inside it?

Is this the bleed valve? Are you saying that water doesn't come out if you undo the bleed screw? Or what else is the problem?

Could you post an end-on pic?

NeverTooLate

Bendy_House said:

To clean inside it?

Is this the bleed valve? Are you saying that water doesn't come out if you undo the bleed screw? Or what else is the problem?

Could you post an end-on pic?

I think they mean they want to get the top cover of the radiator off so they can get the dust out from the top of the fins.

shiraz99

You're going to have to break the seal of the paint, try running a stanley knife or similar along the edges being careful not to scratch the rest of the paint surface.

FreeBear

shiraz99 said:

You're going to have to break the seal of the paint, try running a stanley knife or similar along the edges being careful not to scratch the rest of the paint surface.

And the end panels lift up in order to clear the bleed screw boss & valve at the bottom. Once the side panels are off, the top panel just lifts off - You may need to lift the front and tilt it back and the wiggle it a little towards the wall.
Don't go hitting these panels with a hammer as they are very thin bits of pressed steel, so easily dented & bent.

Yazmina

NeverTooLate said:

Bendy_House said:

To clean inside it?

Is this the bleed valve? Are you saying that water doesn't come out if you undo the bleed screw? Or what else is the problem?

Could you post an end-on pic?

I think they mean they want to get the top cover of the radiator off so they can get the dust out from the top of the fins.

Exactly. 

Yazmina

I'll have a go. Thanks for the replies. 

Bendy_House

Ah.

As FB says, the end panels lift straight upwards. They sort of clip around where the top bleed valve is, and the bottom rad valve - there will likely be circular plastic inserts there.

Go to the very bottom of a side panel, and place something like a piece of wood against it, but covered in cloth. Then tap upwards gently using a hammer or another lump of wood. Hopefully the paint seal will crack and the panel move.

As also said, don't hit so hard that it'll bend the metal!

EssexExile

If the maker's name is on the rad then Google for removal technique, some are a bit convoluted. 

Eldi_Dos

If you are still having difficulty removing cover you could get thin rod, curtain draw rod is ideal and attach a baby bottle brush then poke through slots to clean out the radiator.

Megaross

Bit of compressed air and a quick hoover does wonders