Painintg Radiator, some advice please (thank you)

[MUM2BLESS]

Some of our radiators are looking abit shabby.

Today, I notice that Ronseal do a paint for radiators. Is it possible to paint radiators whilst still on the wall? Would they need sanding down first. Excuse me for asking, not too sure about this.

Would appreciate your advice. Thank you so much.

Yes you can do them on the wall, most people do. Though it's tricky to do the back, you can get a special brush if you can be bothered...

If the current paint is gloss then a very light sand will help the new paint to stick properly.

Try to avoid sandpaper as it will cut through the existing paint on the edges and the flutes.

Start by cleaning thoroughly, a nylon scourer and household detergent will do, rubbed off with an old towel.

If it is still glossy use wire wool to dull it. Any exposed metal, rub off any rust with wire wool, dry, and apply two very thin coats of metal preservative primer from the same paint range you are going to use. It will be a white-spirit primer because a water-based one will make bare steel start rusting.

Go for a satin finish. Gloss can crack, and matt or especially emulsion, holds dirt and won't come clean.

If you find significant rust, especially on the bottom seam, start thinking about replacing it before it leaks.

It is easier to paint radiators, and get a better job, if they are off the wall, but this needs basic plumbing and weight-lifting if they are big.

We did a couple of ours on the wall - the process was very smelly so be prepared to open windows to let the fumes out.

Thank you so much for the info. Much appreciated

it never looks any good - in my opinion, don't bother.

mine do

Don't use radiator paint. In my experience it's very hard to get a good finish and it smells for ages. Use a satinwood paint instead. The ordinary paint you'd use for skirting boards or doors. It's water based so doesn't smell, gives a very good finish and doesn't crack when the rads are on.

I used it on most of the rads in my last house with excellent results.

I've painted my radiators using a B&Q metal paint. They look great but it isn't easy so I wouldn't attempt it unless you're quite handy and have done a lot of fiddily paint jobs before.

You only need a tiny bit of paint on your brush which will go a long way. Anymore than a drop and you'll get drips.