Dimplex storage heater burn mark

WIAWSNB

Rustins, a respected brand, also do it at a similar price so I'd probably go with them: https://www.diy.com/departments/rustins-quick-dry-gloss-white-radiator-enamel-paint-250ml-for-durable-finishes/5015332700110_BQ.prd

The only real difference is that it's 'gloss' as opposed to the other one being 'satin', but I wouldn't expect a high gloss, just a shine like you get on new rads. 

The choice is yours. The lesser the shine, the less any blemishes show up

Thin coats, rolled on and finished off lightly - check the finish you are getting - it should be a very fine texture, almost smooth. It should look pretty much 'factory' once dry. 

Spikeygran

The trouble with those paints is they are intended for a wet system radiator, not an electrical storage heater.  

I would worry about the fire or fume risk.  Given that its 26 years old and in your hallway it might be time to replace it?

WIAWSNB

Spikeygran said:

The trouble with those paints is they are intended for a wet system radiator, not an electrical storage heater.  

I would worry about the fire or fume risk.  Given that its 26 years old and in your hallway it might be time to replace it?

Fume? It's low-VOC. Yes, it could smell as it's initially heated up, but 'fumes'? It would have to reach scorching temps, in which case the OP has bigger issues.
Fire? Ditto x 2.
If it works, keep it. Bonkers - Ie non-MSE - to replace.

(I painted an old storage rad with matt emulsion once. The heat didn't affect it at all, but it wasn't very durable. Looked a lot better than it did, tho'. And the fumes didn't cuase nay ishoos.)

Swipe

mathilde said:

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.

I wouldn't call a panel heater using expensive E7 day time rate electricity a silver lining. You could buy a secondhand equivalent replacement for next to nothing and it's just a straight swap if you can use a drill and a screwdriver, no electrician required.

Keep_pedalling

WIAWSNB said:

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 :-)

It would have got a lot hotter than normal with a coat blocking the vents. Whatever came off the coat now seems to have bonded with the powder coating of the casing so nothing is going to shift it. 

WIAWSNB

Keep_pedalling said:

It would have got a lot hotter than normal with a coat blocking the vents. Whatever came off the coat now seems to have bonded with the powder coating of the casing so nothing is going to shift it. 

That's why you (a) paint over it, and (b) don't put any more coats on it. 

But, yes, it does seem to have become particularly hot. Or, the coat was damp, and the material finish just transferred like a print. It shouldn't have 'melted' anything - that is dangerously hot. 

I have to say, I'm happy to pile clothes on top of our storage heater for a final bone-dry-before-cupboard dry. But, the output flap is shut at the time, so it's only escaping 'body' heat. I'm not an idiot...

mathilde

Really happy to get the different opinions, so thank you. I am all for the cheap fix (painting), however I'm also of a safety-first mindset. Maybe it's a function of being a lawyer. God forbid if there's damage from a fire/fumes (including someone getting hurt), I'd have no defence and couldn't rely on my insurance. 

I'm not sure that an actual replacement is available. My electrician says he can't source one.

mathilde

I wouldn't call a panel heater using expensive E7 day time rate electricity a silver lining. You could buy a secondhand equivalent replacement for next to nothing and it's just a straight swap if you can use a drill and a screwdriver, no electrician required.

Good point. I'll ask the electrician whether he could source a replacement storage heater.

I actually found the original model on a tradie catalogue, but if I'm getting it replaced, makes sense to get a new one?

mathilde

The sad thing is, it works like a champ (clearly) so if only there were a safe purely cosmetic solution! It's right in the front hall so no way I'm leaving it as is.

Swipe

mathilde said:

I wouldn't call a panel heater using expensive E7 day time rate electricity a silver lining. You could buy a secondhand equivalent replacement for next to nothing and it's just a straight swap if you can use a drill and a screwdriver, no electrician required.

Good point. I'll ask the electrician whether he could source a replacement storage heater.

I actually found the original model on a tradie catalogue, but if I'm getting it replaced, makes sense to get a new one?

Why use an electrician? Don't let him take his cut. If you found the same or similar model (Credas are re-badged Dimplex) you could just replace the panels which just unscrew on and off and keep the rest for spares. You could even ask the seller to just send the panels if they had any spares to save on shipping costs. Here are the first two results from a google search. New ones have to be high heat retention types now and are expensive. Simply not worth it for a hallway IMO.

https://www.hwelectric.co.uk/recon.html

https://www.ebay.co.uk/str/refurbstorageheatersolutions