Dimplex storage heater burn mark

mathilde

A guest left their jacket over the storage heater in my front hall. 

I've tried cleaning with Pink Stuff and Barkeeper's Friend. It's not budging.

Dimplex says they shouldn't be painted and the only cover you can use is an ugly cage lol.

Any ideas?

Swipe

Can you post a pic to see what we are dealing with?

mathilde

I thought I had. Can you see it now?

QrizB

mathilde said:

I thought I had. Can you see it now?

I can see your picture, thank you.

While Dimplex say not to paint them, the original finish is paint.

I'd b tempted to try something like this - sold as "radiator paint" - but you'll probably have to paint the whole casing as getting a colour match will be difficult.

https://www.wickes.co.uk/Wickes-Satin-Radiator-Spray-Paint---400ml/p/288063

Has anyone on this forum actually tried painting a storage heater and can comment?

mathilde

Thank you. I'm tempted to do that but worried about damage. Yes I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's done this and it's held up!

Swipe

I thought they were powder coated rather than painted?

Ms_Chocaholic

How's the jacket? Sorry I just had to, hope you find something to solve your predicament.

mathilde

I know I could paint but it looks like there's a risk of fire or toxic fumes.

A nice electrician said I'd need to find a cover on the Dimplex website. They don't really do covers. I'd just have to buy a new  one.

The original model is £250 but it's from 26 years ago. I've asked the electrician how much it would be just to have it removed and replaced with a smart panel heater.

So that's the silver lining I guess, finally get rid of one of my dinosaur storage heaters.

WIAWSNB

mathilde said:

A guest left their jacket over the storage heater in my front hall. 
I've tried cleaning with Pink Stuff and Barkeeper's Friend. It's not budging.
Dimplex says they shouldn't be painted and the only cover you can use is an ugly cage lol.
Any ideas?

Hard to tell from that pic - is the surface 'just' stained, or does it have melted material on it?

I'd be surprised at the latter, as it simply cannot get that hot, or else it would be a burn risk. 

How hot does a storage rad become? Surely no more than 50oC tops? I have one which is charged up by surplus PV, and I can place my hand on it when fully charged - it's oooh, and 'ouch', but no risk of a burn unless I held my hand there for a good while.

So, are there paints that'll withstand up to around 50oC? Yup. Pretty much all of them.

In this case, tho', I'd choose one that is designed for that level of heat, and the obvious type is radiator paint as QrizB suggested. How hot do domestic 'wet' CH radiators get? Depends on the flow temp, but 60oC is not uncommon, and way above this very possible - my in-laws had their rads immediately 'ouch' hot, so I'm guessing above 70oC or more.

Your storage rad will not get to that level - or it shouldn't! Unlike CH rads, the body of a storage rad is insulated and designed to keep heat in, and it's released only via the grille. The grille will be the hottest part, and the immediate surrounding area, but still...

A light keying sanding using 180 grit paper, followed by a good wipe-down, and then thin coats applied using a foam mini-roller should do the trick. Oh, and with the heater cool :-)

WIAWSNB

There are water-based paints which are low-VOC. An example: https://www.diy.com/departments/goodhome-renovation-brilliant-white-satinwood-multi-room-radiator-appliance-paint-250ml/5059340288277_BQ.prd

250ml should do that heater easily. 

mathilde

Hmm okay, thank you. Maybe I'll paint it. It does work really well.