Metal Casting Zone Info Blog

Posts Tagged ‘radiator paint’

Painting cast iron radiators

So you have sourced some wonderful reclaimed cast iron radiators, or you want to refurbish your Victorian period radiators, but what is the best way of bringing them back to their former glory?  What is the best way of painting cast iron radiators?

Below are a few tips to achieving a stunning yet hard-wearing finish on cast iron radiators.

1.                   DON’T power coat!

Some companies offer a powder coating service on cast iron radiators.  This method can produce a fabulous finish, BUT… cast iron radiators are not designed to go through the high oven temperatures and prolonged baking process involved in powder coating.  Many experts advise against this option as there is a very real risk that the seals between sections will be damaged during baking which will lead to leaking radiators.  For this reason, powder coating will invalidate the manufacturer’s guarantee on modern cast iron radiators.

2.                   DO use cellulose or acrylic based paint

There is no need to use expensive specialist radiator paints.  You can achieve a perfect finish using cellulose-based paint or acrylic-based spray paint.  For instance, car paint is perfect for radiators as it is designed to cope with extremes of temperature and be tough enough to withstand relatively intense wear and tear.  If you like the look of powder coating, then a similar looking end result can be achieved by using products like “Plasti-kote”, a spray paint available from many DIY stores.

3.                   DON’T use water based paint

If you use water based paint on cast iron you will almost certainly end up with orange “rust blooms”.  Some “specialist” radiator paint is water based and even has a picture of a cast iron radiator on the tin but use this at your peril!

4.                   DO spray paint rather than brush paint

Cast iron’s textured finish is forgiving, so a good paint finish is easily achievable.  If you are planning on painting the radiators yourself by hand, then we recommend using spray paint as it is difficult to reach into the middle columns and achieve a consistent finish using a brush.

For more information on painting cast iron radiators, then speak to an expert such as Feature Radiators. www.featureradiators.co.uk 01274 567789

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Caring for your Cast Iron Radiator

Cast iron radiators are some of the most elegant heating devices that exist today. Functional, elegant and amazing, these are one of the best pieces of ‘room furniture’ you can purchase. But it’s important to know how to care for them, from painting to cleaning them to retain their beauty and style.

Cast iron radiator basics

One of the most important things about cast iron radiators is making sure that they are installed correctly. With correct installation, cast iron radiators can last a lifetime. While it’s important to ensure that your heating system is capable of coping with iron radiators, but it’s also important to ensure that you can put treatments into the system, to preserve the inside of your radiators. It’s very rare for cast iron radiators to rust from the inside out, but if you can make sure that the treatment you put in impedes rust it will also keep your system from needing flushed, which means your heating system will work better.

Painting your radiator

Cast iron radiators can come pre painted from the manufacturer – in some cases this is great, but if you’re getting a cast iron radiator second hand, or don’t have an idea of the colour scheme you want to use yet, it’s important to make sure you know what paint you have to use. Radiator paint is a special kind of paint that adheres either to an undercoat or the metal itself, yet dries to a complete gloss finish, smooth and clean. It may take several layers and some sanding to accomplish this, or you may be able to create the same effect with a spray paint designed specifically for the task.

It’s also important to make sure that when you’re painting or spraying the radiator that it’s switched off and is entirely cool, and should be kept off until the allotted time listed on the paint tin. But if you can, ask the manufacturer or maker to paint them – you’ll get a more even finish and can choose attractive colours easily.

Cleaning your radiator

Radiators, are by their nature, a bit of a dust magnet – for whatever reason, they attract dust, possibly because of the air that circulates as it’s heated by the radiator itself, but it’s important to keep your radiator looking pristine by giving it a wipe with a damp cloth once in a while. If you have certain types of radiators, you may be able to dismantle them somewhat and remove side plates to vacuums inside, or you can just run a cloth over the whole thing. It’s important to remember not to use any cleaning products on the radiator, because it could damage the finish, or style of the radiator itself.

Enjoying your radiator

Many cast iron radiators are left on display deliberately – cast iron radiators are designed to be viewed and enjoyed so you should – don’t put furniture in front of them or cover them up, or they’ll be obscured, and that’s pointless. Cast iron radiators should always be on display.