Are your radiators looking a little sorry for themselves, or are you simply tired of white and want to add a touch of flair to your home? Painting a radiator is a quick, easy, and affordable way to breathe new life into radiators. It’s a task that any enthusiastic DIYer can handle.
It doesn’t matter what type of radiator you have; the process remains the same, although some are easier to paint than others. Proper preparation and careful paint selection are crucial for a stunning transformation. In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know to achieve it.
Choosing the right radiator paint
The first step in painting a radiator is choosing the right paint. Mark Irving, building and decorating specialist at Build & Plumb, says, "The best paint options to use to withstand heat are either radiator-specific paints or heat-resistant paints."
Article continues belowHe adds, "These paints are specifically designed so that they will not discolour, blister or emit fumes when the radiator is hot. Low VOC paints can also be used to paint radiators, as they are specifically formulated to resist heat."
Choosing a specialist radiator paint like Hammerite Radiator Enamel Paint is the obvious choice, but it has its limits. It's great if you're just refreshing your white radiators, but it lacks other colour choices.
If you don't want a white radiator paint or are unsure what what to buy we can help you out with our best radiator paint guide. This offers brush and spray paint options for a factory-like finish, along with a wider range of colours to choose from.
With over 20 years of experience in the building sector, Mark has developed a wealth of knowledge surrounding building and renovating that he enjoys sharing with others who are looking to complete their own building projects.
Shop these paints tools to help paint a radiator
Get a brilliant white and super smooth finish with this radiator spray paint.
This temperature-resistant (up to 85 degrees) radiator paint is a semi-matt, water-based acrylic paint that dries quickly. Available in white, it has a low VOC formula.
A fine 120 grit sandpaper sheets are made from a durable aluminium oxide. This pack of 10 is suitable for finishing on most materials including metal radiators.
The tools you'll need to paint a radiator
Once you have your ready, you can begin assembling your tools, which should include:
- Sandpaper
- Dust sheets
- Primer
- Radiator paint
- Paintbrushes - like this Harris Trade Paint Brush Multi-Pack from Amazon
- Cloth/sponge/bowl
4 steps to paint a radiator
1. Switch off radiator and prep area
Before you start the first thing you need to do is switch off the radiator completely and wait until it is stone cold. This applies to whatever type of radiator you have in your home.
Do this the night before you want to paint. Then on the next day, clear the area around the radiator, vacuum, and put down dust sheets.
You can remove the radiator from the wall if you're going to paint the back and front, but this involves more work. If you are not comfortable removing a radiator, then leaving it on the wall and knowing how to paint behind a radiator is the easier option, and you can still get a great finish.
2. Clean and rub down the radiator
Before painting a radiator, you will need to remove any loose paint, give it a clean and a rub down. If your radiator has a lot of loose paint, then get a wire brush (like this PFERD Hand Brush from Amazon) to remove it.
Next its time for a clean. Irving says, “Radiators are known for collecting hidden dust and grease, so ensuring that you do a thorough clean beforehand is essential.” He adds, “Always vacuum between the fins and along the back using a narrow attachment."
Alternatively, if you have a trend-setting traditional radiator, you can use a microfibre hand duster to get into the spaces between the columns.
To clean, Irving says, “Use a mild detergent solution, or sugar soap, remove any grease and grime on or behind the radiator, then wipe down the surface with a clean cloth and allow it to dry fully.” You’ll need to do a thorough job to get the best finish.
Finally, rub down the radiator, continues Irving, “I would strongly recommend sanding your radiator, as a light sand can remove any existing paint and ensure that the new paint adheres properly. He adds, “If there are any areas of rust, I would recommend sanding them back to their bare metal before applying a suitable metal primer.”
3. Prime the radiator ready for painting
The first coat to be applied to the radiator is a primer — especially if you are using a paint that isn’t a specialist radiator paint. ZINSSER B-I-N Primer Sealer is a good choice.
A primer will ensure a long-lasting paint job and better finish.
4. Paint the radiator from top to bottom
Using a brush or spray can are your best choices for application. You can use a roller if you have a flat panel radiator, but these don’t produce the best finish on most radiators.
The easy option – and most commonly used – is a paintbrush. Use a 2-4 inch brush for the main part, but have a ½ inch brush on hand for difficult to get into areas.
If you're painting a single panel radiator, start in the top left or top right corner and work down in strips. Don’t overload the brush with paint. When you're finished, lightly brush over any areas that need blending, and make sure you have no runs.
Double panel radiators are one of the best radiators for style and efficiency and you start by painting the ends first. Then paint the front before leaving to dry. Be sure to check the manufacturer's instructions for information on drying times.
Next, apply the topcoat the same way and leave it to dry. Make a judgement call if you need another coat or not.
FAQs
Why are radiators painted white?
White reflects heat rather than absorbs it. This means it will better project heat from a radiator into a room. In reality, there is little difference between white and a darker colour.
The type of paint has more bearing, explains Jimmy Englezos, Senior Brand Manager at Ronseal: “A radiator’s heat output is actually more manipulated by the reflectiveness of its paint finish.”
He adds, “Shiny surfaces such as chrome or stainless steel will reduce its overall heat output since the shinier surface reduces its ability to transfer heat to the surrounding air.”
The alternative option is a matt finish, continues Englezos. “Matt finishes can improve a radiator's efficiency and heat output,” He adds. “With black being the most efficient colour choice since it absorbs all light wavelengths before converting them into other forms of energy, in this case, heat.” But again, the difference is nominal.
On the plus side, white paint is typically cheaper than coloured paints and provides a good base if you want to paint a radiator another colour. It is also a neutral colour that will work well with most other wall colours.
Jimmy is the Senior Brand Manager at Ronseal, the UK's number one woodcare brand. Jimmy regularly provides insights and guidance on how to properly prepare wood for treatment, as well as handy tips and hints for general DIY projects.
How do I spray paint a radiator?
Spray cans are the easy option to spray a radiator and will produce a smooth professional finish when done right. One can will provide a couple of coats on a small radiator.
To do this, you will need to prepare the area thoroughly as spray can spread easily. Cover the walls around two feet all around the radiator with newspaper or plastic sheets, and put dust sheets on the floor and over any nearby furniture.
Shake the can as instructed to mix the paint, then apply light, even coats from a distance of around six inches. Make sure you keep the can moving — if you concentrate on one area you will get runs. Let the first coat dry and add a second, and a third coat if needed.
It's a good idea to keep the room well ventilated whilst using a spray can too.
Can I use gloss paint on radiators?
Yes, you can, but make sure you use a gloss paint suitable for radiators. Most quality gloss paints can withstand the heat output of a radiator. You might want to avoid oil-based paints as these are prone to yellowing when exposed to heat. This is especially noticeable on white radiators.
A suitable paint with a satin finish is a good alternative. It provides a great-looking finish and is more subtle, with a lower sheen.
How soon can you turn on a radiator after painting?
Once you have applied the final coat of paint to the radiator, leave it for at least 24 hours before switching back on. If you can, leave it for 48 hours in total. This will make sure that the paint is completely dry and ready to take the heat.
If you removed your radiator to paint it you will need to fix back on the wall and reconnect to the central heating system. To make sure that your radiator is getting back up to its maximum temperature you will need to know how to bleed a radiator. It's pretty straightforward but essential.
Before you start painting a radiators you should check out our living room radiator ideas, bedroom radiator ideas and hallway radiator ideas to ensure you can find the best look for your home.
