Radiators - painting over small rust spots

Prenderb

Our bathroom radiators are getting a couple of small rust spots, and I've been meaning to get around to painting them. The worst is about 50mm or 2 inches in length, just along the bottom - quite narrow. I have bought primer to paint on the rust, but it'll probably take a couple of coats to go over that, and I was wondering if I were to sand the rust off would it be a better job? Has anyone else dealt with this?

slimjimmc

Sand it off down to shiny bare metal using emery paper then prime and paint. Just painting a primer over rust won't stop it corroding. Some might say to leave the rust and treat it with rust converter but I find that leaves a visible bubble even when painted but if it's not a conspicuous area then that's fine.

Dtp1979

Prenderb wrote: »

Our bathroom radiators are getting a couple of small rust spots, and I've been meaning to get around to painting them. The worst is about 50mm or 2 inches in length, just along the bottom - quite narrow. I have bought primer to paint on the rust, but it'll probably take a couple of coats to go over that, and I was wondering if I were to sand the rust off would it be a better job? Has anyone else dealt with this?

Make sure it's only surface rust and not a patch that's ready to collapse once you touch it

CJhaughey

I used Loctite rust remedy to treat surface rust. It works very well better than some other tannic acid based rust treatments I have used.
Sand the rust back then apply and let dry, it converts the iron oxide into inert ferric tannate.
Then you sand back and prime and paint as usual.
Rust if not treated has a nasty habit of coming back.

Delta2113

Should you use Rust Converter and a Primer?

I have a radiator right next to the toilet and on the middle section the paint has all cracked and you can see rust - obviously urine doing the damage.

Should I sandpaper the surface first or just use the Rust Converter?

michael999999

Sand it first!

Then aim better next time!

Delta2113

michael999999 wrote: »

Sand it first!

Then aim better next time!

Easier said than done