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 one, and 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 for a number of reasons.
What is crucial for a stunning transformation though is that you undertake the proper preparation and be careful about your paint selection. Read on to find out how to paint your radiators like a professional.
The paint and tools you'll need to paint a radiator
Choosing the right paint
The most important decision to make, and the first thing you need to do when painting radiators is to choose the best radiator paint. Grabbing a leftover pot of gloss isn't always the best approach.
"The best paint options to use to withstand heat when painting radiators are either radiator-specific paints or heat-resistant paints," explains Mark Irving, building and decorating specialist at Build & Plumb.
"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," he notes, "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 might not be for you if you're looking for a colour update instead.
If it's a bolder colour you're after, or you want to adopt a colour-drenching approach to match your radiators to your walls, then you could also look into getting your paint colour-matched or mixed by your local DIY store instead.
The kit you'll need for prep and painting
For painting your radiators, you'll need a number of different items from your DIY collection:
- Sandpaper
- Dust sheets
- Primer
- Your chosen radiator paint
- Paintbrushes - like this Harris Trade Paint Brush Multi-Pack from Amazon
- Cloth/sponge/bowl
Shop these for painting radiators
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.
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.
How to paint a radiator
1. Switch off radiator and prep area
Before you start painting, the first thing you need to do is switch off the radiator completely and wait until it is completely cold. I recommend you do this the night before to ensure all residual heat has disappeared.
Then, once you are sure the radiator is cold enough, clear the area around the radiator, and vacuum the floor beneath it, especially around the pipework if you are painting this as well. Once it's clean, put down dust sheets.
You might also need to 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 will still allow you to get a great finish.
2. Clean and rub down the radiator
Before you start painting, you will need to remove any loose paint, give the radiator 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.
Radiators are known for collecting hidden dust and grease, so ensuring that you do a thorough clean beforehand is essential,” agrees Mark Irving. “Always vacuum between the fins and along the back as well using a narrow attachment," he suggests.
Alternatively, if you have a traditional radiator, you can use a microfibre hand duster, such as this pack of 2 Homeshopa Microfibre Radiator Dusters from Amazon to get into the spaces between the columns.
Once clean, it's time to rub down the radiator. “I would strongly recommend sanding your radiator, as a light sand can remove any existing paint and ensure that the new paint adheres properly," advises Mark. “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. Using one 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 painting a radiator. You can use a roller if you have a flat panel radiator, but these don’t produce the best finish on most radiators.
Paintbrush method
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 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, and when you're finished, lightly brush over any areas that need blending, and make sure you have no visible paint runs.
Double panel radiators are one of the best radiators for style and efficiency, and with these, you start by painting the ends first. Then paint the front before leaving it to dry. Be sure to check the paint manufacturer's instructions for information on drying times.
Next, apply the topcoat the same way and leave it to dry. You can then make a judgement call if you need another coat or not.
Spray painting method
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 painting spreads 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. This pack of two TLLPT Tape and Drape Pre-Taped Masking Film from Amazon is already taped so nice and easy to apply to walls.
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.
5. Turn the radiator back on
Once you have applied the final coat of paint to the radiator, if you're wondering how long you should leave it before turning it back on, my advice is to leave it for at least 24 hours. 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 also need to fix back on the wall and reconnect it to the central heating system. To make sure that your radiator is getting back up to its maximum temperature understand how to bleed a radiator. It's pretty straightforward but essential.
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.
“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," he continues.
“Matt finishes can improve a radiator's efficiency and heat output, 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.
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.
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.
