Exposed pipes and paint

[catinboots9]

I've got exposed pipe work in the kitchen and both the bathrooms it's hideous but I can't afford to do anything about it at the mo and boxing it all in would look awful.

I'm redecorating at the mo and wondering if I should just paint the exposed (metal) pipes in the emulsion I'm doing the walls in. Or should I buy an eggshell/satin/metalwork paint in the same shade???

you should start with an oil-based metal primer. Pipes are prone to condensation and clinging dirt. I'd suggest a satinwood finish.

If they have not previously been painted, you can clean with a green nylon pan scourer and WUL. an old brush with water and WUL will clean the crevices and clips. Sponge off all traces and wipe dry with an old vest. Do not paint anything that is dirty, damp or has condensation on it. you might need to turn the water off for a while, as cold pipes are often a bit misty with condensation.

If they are in hard plastic clips, you might be able to pull them out for painting and push back when the paint is hard so they click into the clip. I don't know how to describe the force, they should pull out with finger and thumb, that's enough. The clips will not want to accept paint. You can paint plastic pipes and clips, if essential, with a single flowing coat of oil-based non-drip gloss, after cleaning and using the scouring pad to roughen the surface slightly. Use a soft brush.

You can get shiny white PVC pipe covers that might look better. They fit onto matching pipe clips, but if the pipes are already in place they will probably not be at quite the right spacing to fit. I have an idea that Toolstation sell them in single lengths rather than a pack of 4.

I have painted exposed pipes with emulsion same colour as the walls.
It definitely makes the disappear! No need to buy special paint just need to use a small brush and 2 or 3 thin coats allowing to dry in between.

I have also bought metal spray paint and sprayed the pipes which can be a really quick way of doing the job. Just apply thin coats and allow to dry in between coats.

here we are, backplates that fix to the wall and the covers clip on. Various sizes available from this make.

I've painted pipes with satinwood to match the emulsion on the walls - did it recently in our downstairs loo. Makes them easier to wipe clean of dust than emulsion.

I was going to suggest the pipe covers, but PigletJohn got there first. What is WUL?

Washing up liquid maybe?

Washing up liquid

Of course it is! Thanks.

For a super cheap option you could paint pipe insulation (kind of like sponge, B&Q sell it for 2.99ish) in emulsion. Won't look as good as previous options but if you don't want to spend money and want to use existing emulsion it's not so bad. Easy to cut to size too.