Hammerite REG500 500ml Radiator Paint - Gloss White

Product Information

Sugar soap is fantastic at cutting through everyday dirt, grime and grease. It’s essential in any DIY job and is readily available in spray bottles. Use sugar soap and a scouring sponge to clean your radiator, get rid of all the dirt and dust. Wipe it down with clean water, making sure to clean up any residue. When dust-free, give the radiator a wipe down with a TSP solution (trisodium phosphate). This cleaning agent is a great degrease and helps to de-gloss the surface to prepare it for painting. Good ventilation is necessary whichever type of paint you are using, as they can all give off unpleasant fumes.

This problem is a classic case of “a stitch in time saves nine”. The best thing you can do is to stop the problem before it occurs. First of all, inspect radiators for signs of flaking or absent paint. Cheap radiators may show signs of poor workmanship – use a mirror to inspect the edges underneath, and paint over any signs of exposed steel. You will need a special radiator paint for this, and don’t paint over existing rust, as this will simply hide the problem without actually fixing it.

Important: Depending on how old it is, the paint on your radiator could include lead, which can be harmful, particularly to children and pregnant women. If you’re unsure it’s important to get advice from a professional who will be able to advise on the best course of action. We advise you to use radiator paint if you are painting your radiator white, as other paint types can go yellow over time. Solvent-Based Paints Preparation: Ensure surface is clean, dry, and free from contamination. Bare metal surfaces should be primed with a suitable metal primer. Previously painted surfaces (or the original factory finish) should be abraded and degreased prior to paint application.

You can use a solvent-based paint, such as a non-drip gloss or satinwood, which are available in a wide range of colours. If you’re refurbishing a cast iron radiator before it’s installed into your home, make sure you have access to an outdoor area where there is a hose. If you don’t, then washing it down will be difficult and terribly messy. 4 steps for restoring a cast iron radiator You don’t have to use a radiator roller or brush, but if you want to do the side against the wall, you’ll need to use these. However, you can also take the radiator off the wall to paint it. This will make it much easier to clean and give you greater control when you paint. Available in 13 subtle colours, your first – and possibly only – coat should be touch-dry within a couple of hours. If you judge a second coat necessary, leave at least three to four hours to ensure ideal conditions. If you are planning to use spray paint, you will need to make sure you protect the surrounding area really well, as spray paint is difficult to direct and can drift.

How to paint a radiator where rusty

Rub some dampened strips of aluminium foil onto the rusty spots. The aluminium when rubbed against it causes a chemical reaction that removes the rust, while water acts as a lubricant between the foil and the chrome, facilitating the aluminium oxide that actually removes the rust. Over time, it can become difficult to determine if a radiator was once painted or if it has been left bare. Use a screwdriver to scrape the surface of the radiator in an inconspicuous area to confirm if the radiator has been previously painted. If it has, you should see flaking when you scrape the screwdriver over the surface. Durable and heat resistant, turn your radiator into a stylish accent or give it a new lease of life with a long lasting, incredible depth of colour. This easy to apply, high pigment radiator paint provides long-lasting coverage in a beautiful Gloss finish. Top tip: It may be worth using an anti-corrosive primer as this will prevent the rust from getting worse over time. If unsure, speak to a decorator who can advise you. If you’re hand painting, we recommend using Super Spec ® HP D.T.M. Alkyd paint, which is durable, able to withstand high heat, and inhibits rust. You can also use this product with a paint sprayer.

Use sandpaper to remove the paint and rust from the relevant spot, and expose the steel of the radiator itself. Take a look at the edges of the area that you are sanding down. Some areas of rust may be hidden under the existing paint, and there may be more than you think. While a roller might be a suitable tool for painting some radiators, it is not effective in painting tight spaces and spots. With this in mind, if you choose to use a roller, you will still need a brush to complete certain areas. Are your interiors looking a little lukewarm? Turn up the heat with Rust-Oleum Radiator Paint for a beautifully smooth Gloss finish that’s highly concentrated for exceptional colour The components/ingredients of the radiator paint might separate if it is stored for a long time. Due to this, you have to use a stirrer to mix all the ingredients of the radiator paint. It also makes it easier for you to achieve an even colour.Use masking tape or decorator’s tape to cover up valves, vents and generally any areas you don’t want to get paint on. Put down a dust sheet under the radiator to stop getting paint on the floor. If you’ve not taken the radiator off the wall, tape newspaper or a lightweight dust sheet behind the radiator to prevent splashes. Follow steps 1 to 5 mentioned above, making sure you do all the prep. When using spray paint, put down more protective dust sheets than normal and work in a well-ventilated room. This will help to stop paint from getting on your wall and floor and means you can work safely.

Not only do rusty radiators look bad, they can also cause serious problems. Over time, the radiator will start to develop ‘pinhole’ leaks. Such leaks start off small and can be very difficult to accurately locate. You may not even notice them at first, but given enough time, the rusted area can disintegrate completely and cause a flood. How to prevent rusty radiators

Fortunately, as long as the rust is just on the surface and hasn’t penetrated the steel below, you can remove the rust easily with non-chemical remedies. Here’s how: