Allison sent us a good question: "I have four radiators in my vintage Hyde Park two-bedroom. I just recently purchased my new pad, and noticed in horror that my radiators are quite dirty and need repainting. Does anyone have tips/thoughts on where I can get this done? I think I need to get them sandblasted and then repainted with a specific kind of paint. Thanks!!!"
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Allison, we found this how-to video on painting a vintage cast iron radiator at This Old House, which suggests hiring a professional refinisher to blast off the old paint with aluminum oxide. Afterwards, they repainted simply with a spray primer and then a spray enamel.
We found a link to a local metal stripping and refinishing company called Redi Strip who may be able to help - the site says that they work on home items, including radiators.
Anyone have any other ideas, recommendations or suggestions for Allison? Please let her know in the comments...
Photo: via Take a Good Look at Vintage Radiators at This Old House
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You can buy spray paint specifically designed for radiators and other hot metal items, such as grills.
Not sure how to strip the old paint on the radiators, (tricky), but when you spray paint the new stuff on, be sure to put a big enough piece of cardboard behind the radiators to prevent paint from getting all over the wall/surface behind or beside it.
You need a heat-resistant metal paint.
My contractor was reluctant to detatch my old radiator so he used a wire-bristled rotary stripper to remove the old flaky paint and then repainted it according to my color scheme. You could probably DIY in a day if you don't need to remove the radiator.
This kind of paint sticks to EVERYTHING and doesnt come out, also make sure your steam is off for the season though, you don't want any surprises!
Try engine spray paint. You can get it at any auto parts store outside of the city. No spray paint in the city!!
We removed, cleaned and spray painted everyone of our original 1922 radiators. You can get heat-resistant spray paint at any Home Depot. To clean them, we just used a garden hose and a heavy duty wire brush. But do it in the sun so they dry ASAP. They came out great and look fantastic (we painted most of them a rubbed bronze color to go with lighting fixtures and door hardware).
Based on personal experience:
(1) If you have to remove antique radiators, it will be expensive and messy. You may have to drain the entire system to a level below that of the radiators you're servicing.
(2) Unless the rust and corrosion is very bad, you probably do NOT need to remove the entire unit first.
(3) Clean the radiator thoroughly, surround it with cardboard or dropcloths and paint using spray cans. Expect to use a LOT of paint because of all the curves and interior angles. Cover with multiple thin coats rather than one heavy coat. Depending on the size of the radiator, you could use anywhere from 1/2 to 1 can each.
(4) Read the heat specs on the paint can. Most regular paints are rated to accept heat of 200 degrees (approx). That's fine if you have a hot water radiator system. Your furnace probably doesn't heat the water past 180-190 anyway, and by the time it circulates to the radiator the temperature drops further. But if you have a steam radiator, you do need special heat resistant paint. Be aware that heat-resistant paint comes in far fewer colors (e.g., black, silver, hunter green).
(5) Interestingly, the color you paint a radiator affects its heat output. Metallic paint can reduce heat output by almost 20% versus nonmetallic paint. Look it up if you don't believe me. E.g., the NY Times has an article about radiator maintenance that mentions this.
I used a hammered bronze finish on ours (replacing an ugly but basically sound metallic silver paint job from years past), and they look great.
When we moved into our present home, I painted all (7) of our radiators. The biggest part of the job was done my my husband, who disconnected them and brought them to a central area for me (the central area was lined with cardboard and newspaper for protection). I brushed the already painted ones with a metal bristle brush to get rid of loose bits of paint. Then, I used cans of air (the ones you use to clean computers) and Swiffer dusters to get rid of as much dust and dirt as I could. Then I spray painted them all wih high-heat white paint (a few coats). Then, the hubby put them all back. I guess it would be a bit more work if you can't remove yours, but it can be done (just be careful not to paint the valves shut). The high heat paint worked great -- 5 years later, it still looks great (and no smell when the heat is on, by the way ... I had been afraid of that).
Please be careful when removing paint from any item painted before 1970. Pre-1970 paint generally contained LEAD.
You do not want that stuff airborne. Even robyn's brushed off "loose bits of paint" (think little kids, pets, sweeping tiny flakes into dust motes...). I believe only heppa filters can drag that crap out of the air.
You can get an inexpensive paint testing kit for lead from Home Depot.
Don't want to freak anyone out. Just be informed:
www.epa.gov/lead/
Heads up. We didnt have to do anything to remove our radiators. We did it during the summer, long after the furnace was done running. There was no cost whatsoever, except that they are freakin heavy.
Sounds like robyn did the same thing we did, we jut did ours in the driveway.
Thank you all so much for the tips! I am going to get after them this summer!
Why not just cover your radiators? Visit the site below, they make steel Radiator covers that look great!
www.beautifulradiators.com
My company BattyBuilt Custom Radiator Covers specializes in designing and building custom radiator covers to suit any style, any room. We serve Westchester NY, Manhattan and parts of Connecticut and New Jersey.
Check out the website here: http://battybuilt.com