Paintbrushes are better for getting into the grooves of radiators, whereas rollers are useful for painting broad flat sections. Turn your radiator off and let it cool down completely. Sugar soap is fantastic at cutting through everyday dirt, grime and grease.
Start with your first coat of paint, using your paint brush or roller to go around the edges of the radiator. Once the edges have been painted, you can then paint the bulk of the surface. Using a mini-roller will ensure you get the best possible finish on the metal as brushes can be susceptible to brush marks.
When you're ready to paint your radiators, start by painting the back, harder-to-reach columns first and then move on to the front section of the radiator. The long, angled brush is ideal for this as it makes it much easier to paint hard-to-reach areas of the radiator and there's no need to remove it for painting.
Alternatively, the paint pad method can be exercised, particularly for homes where any designer radiators do not project much from the wall at all. This process entails covering a flat pad with paint, and sliding it behind the radiator to cover a surface area that is difficult to reach.
Putting foil behind your radiators is a great way to save money on your heating bills as it prevents heat from escaping straight out of the wall behind it. Instead of wasting all that money on expensive heating, this simple trick enables you to direct the heat towards the room.
Paint the radiator
You will usually need to apply two full paint coats over the primer for a professional finish. Leave at least 4 hours between coats for a water-based paint, or leave to dry overnight for oil-based paint. You should allow the paint to dry fully for 48 hours before turning on the radiator.
Radiator Paint Brushes are long-handled angled brushes with pure bristles which are ideal for getting in tight spaces and “odd spot” painting.
When painting a radiator, it's important to use a heat-resistant paint that can withstand high temperatures. Obviously, radiators can get quite hot, so regular paints are likely blister, peel, or discolour when exposed to the heat.
Lightly sand the surface of the radiator with 120-grit sandpaper. Sanding will give the radiator a slightly rougher surface, which will be easier for the paint to adhere to.
Alkyd paint, which is durable, able to withstand high heat, and inhibits rust. You can also use this product with a paint sprayer. Many people prefer painting with a paintbrush to get all the cracks and crevices found in radiators.
Typically speaking, paint manufacturer's usually say 24 to 48 hours after the final coat but always check the drying instructions on the back of the tin before switching radiators back on. Switching radiators on before the paint has dried may result in the finish remaining tacky for longer.
If your radiator is a little banged up, you might want to avoid gloss and opt for satin paint instead, which offers a more subtle shine. Finally, oil-based gloss paints take a long time to dry, so you'll need to leave your radiator switched off and avoid touching it for up to 24 hours.
A top-tier solution for revamping and protecting your radiators. Its ultra-durable, smooth finish not only enhances the aesthetic appeal of your radiators but also provides a robust protective layer.
The best implement to get right down behind a radiator is a long, thin radiator brush, but a duster with a long handle will also do a sufficent job.
Paintbrushes are better for getting into the grooves of radiators, whereas rollers are useful for painting broad flat sections. Turn your radiator off and let it cool down completely. Sugar soap is fantastic at cutting through everyday dirt, grime and grease.
Dip your paint brush into a radiator paint or multi-purpose paint in the colour of your choice, and lightly brush up and down the surface. Make sure to paint in one direction to avoid streaky lines. We recommend you paint the pipes too so you end up with a cohesive, nicely finished look.
There are radiator cleaning brushes available for sale, but this DIY option uses a stick and a cloth, attached with Sellotape. It is as effective as any shop-bought alternative, though checking your favourite radiator shop for a ready-made version is an understandable approach if you'd rather simplify things.
Turn off your radiator & open a window
If it's still a little warm, the paint will probably go a little 'drippy' and not adhere to the surface of the radiator properly, so make sure it's off – and that is won't come back on – until the paint is dry. It's also important to make sure you ventilate the room properly.
If you're using Lick paint, you don't need to prime your radiator as all our paints are formulated with primer, so you can actually paint our paint straight onto the radiator. However, if your radiator is on the rustier side or has an unusual finish, we would suggest applying a specialist radiator primer first.
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