Satinwood paint on radiator.... Horrible fumes!

[Bellyrub1980]

We've moved into a new house and gradually doing up each room. Using satinwood instead of gloss as prefer the look. The satinwood we have is dulux trade and states on the tin that it's suitable for metal.

Just turned the radiators on tonight (husband finally relented!!) but the rooms smell really strongly of the paint. Particularly in the baby's room which is worrying.

Is it ok to let her sleep in there? Could it be toxic?? (Given me a slight headache...)

Tbh I wouldn't have her sleeping in there with those fumes. It's not nice for adults, nevermind a baby.

I'd recommend getting the paint off and using radiator paint tbh.

The paint smell will burn off eventually though, so your choice whether to keep it on and let the smell disappear or take it off and use something better.

Unfortunately all the rooms she could sleep in have a painted radiator in.... Comsidering opening all the windows upstairs to air it out.

Will let the cold and bugs in.... But what am I to do? She needs to go in her cot soon... She's only 11 months old!

I used satinwood this time because I found proper radiator paint (in my old property) to be even worse. Was told by the dulux trade centre that this paint is suitable for radiators. I'm just concerned about the fumes... Are they toxic?

It's likely that it will go after the first couple of times the radiator has been on. There's no need to start making work for yourselves by doing more sanding and painting and it isn't necessary to use radiator paint.

Ventilate the rooms if necessary. It might be worth putting the radiator on in your child's room when she isn't in there and having the window open to speed up getting rid of the smell.

There are two types of satinwood paint - one is solvent based, the other is water based. I suspect you've used the solvent based one. Water based paints are fine on radiators btw. I've painted lots of them over the years, both with ordinary emulsion and water based satinwood. In fact I painted the bathroom radiator with water based satinwood in July and it didn't smell at all when we put it on.

Please don't panic - modern paints are safer than paints were in the past. It might be a bit smelly but it's not going to poison any of you.

Thanks for that wowfudge. Have a few to paint downstairs so will go for normal emulsion next time!

Have opened all the windows upstairs with the lights off and letting it ventilate for 10 mins. Can't leave it much later than that, baby is shattered!

Ah ok, that's good to hear. Thank you!

I had the same a few weeks back after painting with proper radiator paint. It went after a couple of days and airing the house and we are all fine!

Satinwood is better for radiators than emulsion. It is easier to clean and more durable.

If you are able to let it air dry for a week before turning it on, then put it on, low, for a day or two, the smell will mostly go.

Paint will smell when first heated.