The A-Z of Painting Your Radiator
Let’s be honest, many elements and features within our home are due a lick of paint at some point. Our radiators too, whether a standard model or a designer one, are susceptible to wear and tear which may lead you to think – is painting a radiator a good idea?
To answer your question, yes, if you want to! Painting your radiator may seem challenging but is a relatively easy task. All you need are the right paints and the correct technique and you can do the job yourself.
Since this method works well in giving your radiator a much needed revamp, it's become quite popular amongst homeowners. While you do need to plan the process carefully to avoid air bubbles or a botched paint job, keeping yourself aware of the basics will help you get it right on the first go.
At The Radiator Factory, with our immense expertise in radiators, we’ve put together a short guide that covers everything you need to know about painting radiators.
Without further ado, let’s take a look!
Why Painting Your Radiator is a Good Idea
Every element of a home can look a little dull or tired after using it regularly. Radiators are no exception and with this, their stylish design can be affected once the paint starts to chip or fade.
By choosing the best paints for your radiator, you can restore them as a stunning feature for your home that elevates the aesthetics of the space.
If you’re wondering about what kind of paint to use to find the best way to paint the radiator, this guide will help by providing you with the basic yet essential radiator painting tips.
Materials You’ll Need
Since you can’t use normal, everyday paint for these heating systems, finding the best radiator paints can ensure that your task is carried out smoothly. Moreover, you’ll also need old sheets or cardboard to protect your floors, sheets of sandpaper, radiator primer and some brushes of different sizes.
You also need to make sure that you wear old comfortable clothes that you don’t mind getting paint splashes on.
Steps To Follow
Before you start with the painting process, make sure that your radiator is cleaned completely to avoid any uneven textures or inconsistencies in the paint layering.
Once that is done, here’s what you need to do –
1. Turn Off Your Radiator And Keep The Room Ventilated
A basic and necessary step that you need to keep in mind is that your radiator needs to be cooled down before you start painting. If your radiator has just been turned off or is still slightly warm, the paint may drip and become messy.
Additionally, keeping the room ventilated prevents you from inhaling the paint fumes and serves as an essential safety measure.
2. Clean The Area Around The Radiator
From loose dust, bits of paper and other unnecessary debris that are collected around the radiator, they all need to be removed to keep the surrounding space of the radiator clean. After this, lay down the protective paper or cardboard to protect your flooring from paint splashes and drips.
Having extra protective layers on the floors and around is always a good idea as the paint may splash and get onto other elements of your home.
3. Radiator Priming And Painting
Priming your radiator creates a fresh and smooth surface that makes painting all the more easier. From creating a smoother surface to preventing corrosion and rust, priming helps you keep your radiator well maintained.
Once you’ve finished priming the system, you can start with the actual painting. Take your time and ensure that you apply a nice, even coat all around the radiator. If there are grooves, paint in the same direction to avoid lumps and dripping.
4. Apply Another Coat If Required
After the paint dries, check the radiator to see if there’s another area that needs a second coat. While this mostly depends on the material of the radiator and the paint used, you can always add another layer if you feel the need.
For example, adding a second coat when you’re painting a column radiator may be required due to the design of the system. However, when it comes to painting flat panel radiators, a second coat may not be necessary due to the smooth surfaces.
Things To Keep In Mind While Painting Your Radiator
While the basic steps are sure to help you create a better looking radiator, there are a few more things you need to keep in mind to ensure safety and efficiency during the process.
Here’s what you need to know –
- Ensure the radiator is turned off and cooled down
- Keep the radiator clean and dry
- Use a good quality radiator primer
- Keep the room ventilated at all times
- Make sure all close surfaces are protected from paint splashes
- Let the paint dry for at least 24 hours before considering a second coat
- Once the painting is complete, leave the radiator off for a day or two
By following these tips, you can make sure that your paint stays for a longer time and your radiator looks good as new.
A paint coat can have a big impact on the look of your radiator, any old-looking radiator can instantly be revamped to look new like a newly purchased branded radiator.
Whether it is an Ultraheat radiator or Aeon, any system can be fixed with a paint coat to look stylish and aesthetic. This tells us that painting your old radiator is a smart idea that you should consider.
Visit The Radiator Factory For Stylish Branded Radiators
While painting a radiator may definitely upgrade the system, it does not fix an inefficient or broken radiator. If you’re looking to replace your older model, The Radiator Factory is the perfect place for you.
We supply these incredible heating systems from stylish brands that offer some of the best designer radiators available on the market today.
To find out more, give us a call today!