Painting Radiator

40wattbulb · 11-12-2023 9:42pm #1

Hi guys

The radiator in my ensuite is looking pretty ugly, how should I tackle this job to get it back to its best and prevent this rust(?) from building up again?

Thanks

J

Atlantic Dawn · 11-12-2023 9:51pm

Had similar myself, got very fine sandpaper to clear off any rust, then got radiator spray, it came up like new and was easy to apply. 3 years later it's starting to show small signs of rust and will need a repeat of the process. With the damp environment of the bathroom the better the ventilation the less moisture there should be to cause rust.

I believe this is what I used, other brands available, gave it 3 coats. I used satin, you can also get it in gloss depending on the final finish you want.

https://www.woodies.ie/ronseal-400ml-quick-drying-radiator-paint-aerosol-white-satin-316275?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8aXXga6IgwMVUJVQBh3-0AfKEAQYBCABEgKdofD_BwE

40wattbulb · 11-12-2023 9:57pm

Thanks, how did you protect the rest of the room when using the spray...is it more hassle than painting?

Atlantic Dawn · 11-12-2023 10:01pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121484838#Comment_121484838

I just put down newspaper around the radiotor and behind it. If I was doing it again I would put down black refuse bags around the base as you might get a tiny bit of overspill on tiles at the base that could leak through newspaper. The problem with painting with a brush is you will leave brushstrokes in the finish, a roller will give a much better finish but the uneven surface of the radiator is a pain even with a small roller so for me spraying was the way to go.

mickdw · 11-12-2023 10:04pm

Use a heap of old newspaper.

Tape off the pipes and connections.

Tape newspaper to wall behind rad and floor all around.

Go much further with the paper than you think as paint gives off a light dust effect over a fair distance but is easy removed even when dry.

Will give excellent finish compared to brush painting.

Sleepy · 11-12-2023 10:07pm

I'd recommend closing the valves, draining and taking the radiator off the wall so you can do it in the back garden but I'm sure you could do it in situ if you put up enough newspaper behind and below.

(BTW: keep an eye out in Lidl, they often have the radiator spray paint and it's much cheaper than Woodies)

40wattbulb · 11-12-2023 10:07pm

Thanks found this video as well which looks pretty good https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agZXomZFXUw&ab_channel=CREATIVECRAMBO

shoegirl · 12-12-2023 12:24am

I did this a couple of years ago using the spray. I did the walls at the same time and was treating them for mould so didn't worry too much.

Gave it a bit of a sand and dust first to clean off debris and older chipped paint. Came out like new.

10-10-20 · 12-12-2023 8:20am

I used Hammerite Radiator Enamel on mine. It's very good if applied correctly.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121484864#Comment_121484864

I covered off about 3m away from the rad and I still had paint-dust after that as there was a slight draft and it carried the paint droplets through a damn doorway. I nearly lost my mind. Took a bit of scrubbing to get it off the wooden floor.

Field east · 12-12-2023 8:50am

Is the rad near the toilet bowl. ? Spatters from mens’ pee landing no the rad is not good as it will eat into the paint. Am open to correction here

10-10-20 · 12-12-2023 9:14am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121485627#Comment_121485627

Let's not be sexist here, it could be anybody's pee. 😂

Alun · 12-12-2023 9:22am

Personally I'd either just replace it, shouldn't be more than 50-60 euro, or replace it with a chrome heated towel rail.

GreeBo · 12-12-2023 2:19pm

I would deffo price up a replacement before attempting to DIY a respray.

Buffman · 12-12-2023 2:59pm

I wouldn't bother spaying it myself, this is one of those situations where it's less hassle to paint it with a brush and not bother with the prep/protection required for spraying.

Throw some protection on your floor and 5 min with some sandpaper to remove the surface rust and scour the surface to make it ready for paint, a quick hoover/wipe to remove dirt/dust and a few minutes with a paint brush will have it looking like new.

If you can find this for Ronseal 1 coat rad paint for the €10 they have it on offer for in B&Q, it's a good price.

https://www.diy.ie/departments/skip19b-ron-rad-paint-1-coat-white-satin/127944_BQ.prd

mickdw · 12-12-2023 3:48pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121485708#Comment_121485708

If able to diy the replacement it would be reasonably cost effective. If sending for a plumber it really would be madness to change out instead of a quick respray which really does come out perfect with minimal prep.

DC999 · 12-12-2023 5:42pm

I've always hand painted rads and they come out looking decent.

A chrome rad outputs less heat than a white one. No idea why but it's a fact. Chrome towel rails put out very little heat due to both a much smaller surface area plus the chrome too

Jellybaby_1 · 12-12-2023 11:12pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121487856#Comment_121487856

I absolutely agree with this. When we got a new bathroom installed the guy said he'd be installing a towel rail. I said it won't be as warm as a rad and he said it would. I was proved right!

elperello · 12-12-2023 11:32pm

I'd also add that some of the chrome towel rails on the market are very poor quality.

The chrome doesn't last on them.

10-10-20 · 13-12-2023 9:06am

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121489217#Comment_121489217

It's called emissivity, the ability of a surface to radiate heat.

Generally black or dark surfaces emit more heat-radiation than shiny or reflective, that's why kettles are commonly chromed or polished steel so that the heat-loss is lower than a black surface.

https://www.thermoworks.com/infrared-tips-what-is-emissivity/

But the oddest thing is that radiators don't radiate much energy, they mostly convect it (ie the heat which comes from the top of the radiator is greater than that from the front). But you'd notice that you had less radiated heat from a chrome radiator because there is less infra-red radiation within the room, so your skin feels cooler.

So now you know!

standardg60 · 13-12-2023 8:11pm

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121489727#Comment_121489727

Yep i've always wondered why black isn't the standard colour for radiators rather than white which theoretically would be the worst bar chrome for radiation, but as you say 'radiators' is a misnomer as the vast majority of the heat is through convection. Also why radiators are best placed on the coldest wall, usually under windows, as this ensures the best circulation of air within the room.

As for towel rails, they generally have a lower BTU (energy output) than panel rads so regardless of colour size for size a room will feel cooler.

GreeBo · 13-12-2023 8:40pm

The biggest issue with towel radiators is the typically they have a towel on them, so its very hard for them to radiate heat.

Assuming you can find a rad of similar width, swapping them out is a very quick job with no draining of the system, assuming you are happy to keep the same valves/tails.