Before getting started, remove the radiator covers for easier access. If you’re painting a radiator with a built-in valve, be sure to turn the heating on first and wait about 30 minutes for it to heat up. This will make life a lot easier later on as it will soften any paint that has been applied over the years. Radiators are a popular focal point for home design. The colors that they come in can be customized to match your room’s décor while also keeping the heat inside of your home. In terms of durability, you can expect this paint to last years due to its tough finish which requires minimal maintenance. Ensure there are no leaks at joints or connections where pipes meet each otherand cover any gaps with elastoplastic to prevent the spread of rust and water damage.

Most professional decorators just use the same paint as they’re using on the woodwork though with the most popular choice being Johnstone’s Aqua Guard satin. Are there elements of laziness here? More than likely. But it just goes to show that sometimes convenience beats quality in the decorating world. Fortunately, radiator paint is specifically formulated to help the heat from the radiator, well…radiate. This makes the radiator more efficient and ultimately will save you a small amount of money on heating bills. That’s of course not mentioning how great new radiator paint can look and moreover, how easy it is to achieve an attractive finish. SummaryCompared to other paints, Ronseal’s radiator paint has relatively low odour although it’s advised that you keep the room in which you’re painting well ventilated before, during and after application. Use painter’s tape around the area where you’re going to paint so that no paint goes outside of your desired area – we recommend using painters tape instead of newspaper because it won’t smudge and leaves less residue when you remove it. One common issue with painting radiators is that the paint is rather thin and cheaper brands especially tend to formulate paint that results in drips and runs. Fortunately, Hammerite’s radiator paint has excellent adhesion and thus tends to avoid this issue.

Lots of people are unaware that radiator paint can not only restore the look of their radiators but the performance too. It’s for that reason, radiator paint is well worth the small investment. Well the job of radiator paint is to help the heat radiate (I know that sounds stupid). It just conducts the heat better than normal paint, so the radiators are just as efficient as when they were new.Though many paints are marketed as being able to prevent rusting or reacting under humidity, few have actually achieved this aim so effectively as Hammerite. And lastly, if you want to match your radiator colour with your woodwork then don’t be afraid to use a trade satin paint like Johnstone’s. It may not provide your radiator with added efficiency but it will certainly look great. Get Prices for a Professional Decorator Near You Application can be done simply with a 1 or 2 inch brush and with very decent covering capability (I believe it goes further than any other paint in this article) painting is a breeze. On top of that, the paint becomes touch dry in around 30 minutes so if you do end up needing two coats, you won’t need to wait too long before you apply the second.

This also helps reduce drafts in rooms where there are no windows or doors, which can lead to increased energy costs due to the constant usage of heating systems.Before painting radiators, you should prepare them by scraping off all old paint and rust with a wire brush or sandpaper. Apply two coats of latex paint over top of each other – one light coat first followed by a second heavier coat. Whilst Hammerite would be our choice when it comes to painting radiators, all of the paints mentioned in this article should do a great job for you. If you want a mix of durability and aesthetics then Hammerite seem like the obvious option. If having a squeaky clean white colour is more important then Ronseal’s radiator paint might suit you better. Painting behind radiators can help with heating efficiency by reducing lost heat that is caused when hot air from vents near the floor rises up the walls of a room. Once you’ve wiped down your radiators with white spirit, give them a good wipe with some vinegar on your clothes to help kill any mould. This will also help them to look fresher and cleaner once you’ve painted them.