How to paint heating radiators yourself? How to paint a heating battery: a step-by-step technology for painting radiators How to repaint an old heating radiator.

You have cast-iron radiators installed in your apartment, which are famous for their thermal conductivity. True, the only thing that depresses is their appearance (especially if they were installed several decades ago). Replacing such radiators is a very laborious and costly task, and there is no particular need to replace them. Batteries work well and heat well. To make them new and beautiful appearance their appearance can be improved, for example, by simply repainting. You ask: how to paint cast iron batteries?

It is worth noting that the cost of paint will also differ significantly from the price of conventional enamels. Therefore, in order not to overpay for paint products, you just need to calculate required amount. Let's take a closer look at all the subtleties and nuances painting work for cast iron radiators.

Preparatory work

Beautiful cast iron batteries can't look perfect in a niche that needs a makeover. Therefore, the first step is to determine the amount of work that needs to be done. First of all, carefully inspect the place under the windowsill where the batteries are installed. Wouldn't it hurt to do a little renovation? Then be sure to include it in the list of works, and of course the direct painting of the radiators themselves.

Calculation necessary materials We carry out, based on the amount of work required. They include:

1. high-quality repair of the niche in which the batteries are installed.
2. painting cast iron radiators.

Very important: painting cast iron batteries must be carried out at a time when the heating season has already ended. Do not paint hot radiators. The point is also that when repairing a niche and the batteries themselves, it is desirable to remove them from the wall, and this requires a mandatory disconnection from the central heating system.

If this is not possible, and for some reason you cannot wait until the heating season ends, then you will have to spend a little more effort on repair and painting work. In particular, the paint you purchase for cast iron radiators must have high temperature performance.

Preparing the battery for painting

• The first step is to carefully remove old paint, which has probably cracked and turned yellow. To remove the old layer of paint, you can use a brush with metal bristles, coarse sandpaper or a spatula.
• When choosing a paint, pay attention to the fact that it must withstand elevated temperatures. If you ignore this requirement, you risk getting very unwanted effect. Some enamels or paints lose their color when exposed to high temperatures. Thus, it is possible to get an unsightly yellow battery at the very beginning of the heating season instead of an ideal crystal white radiator.

• Carefully choose the brushes with which you are going to paint cast iron radiators. Don't buy too cheap brushes. Very often they begin to “shed” during painting work, leaving ugly villi on the painted surface. Be sure to purchase a special curved brush. It will help you paint over hard-to-reach places in the battery.

Cast iron radiators are painted in two layers. There is no need to do more, because then it is very difficult to make the paint lay down in an even layer, without streaks. Be sure to dilute the paint material if it is too thick. But if you buy a special paint, then its consistency is normal and does not require additional dilution.

If you are in doubt as to whether you have diluted the paint material correctly, try painting small plot batteries. So you can determine the consistency you need. What can be used to dilute the paint is usually indicated on the paint can itself.

After the first layer of paint has dried, it is recommended to lightly process it. sandpaper(shallow). This allows the second coat to be applied more evenly and improves adhesion between coats.

Window sill repair

Painting a window sill niche is also required to start with preparatory work. The first step is to completely remove old layer plasters. Sometimes it also happens that there are significant cracks in the niche. They will need to be carefully sealed.

To do this, remove poorly adhering plaster in places of cracks. If the cracks are deep and go into the wall, they are sealed with ordinary cement mortar. Other work can be continued only after the cement has completely dried.

Small cracks can be easily eliminated using a special primer. It allows you to strengthen the base and in the future to avoid cracks and chips. After the primer dries, it is desirable to apply a layer finishing plaster. Its fine texture easily lays down, making the surface even. Now you can proceed directly to coloring.

The painting of cast-iron radiators begins with the painting work of the place of their further installation, that is, the window sill niche. So, the base of the wall is prepared, you can start painting. When choosing a paint, also remember to prefer those materials that can withstand high temperatures without losing their color. The fact is that being next to heating radiators, the wall can get very hot, so we choose resistant paint materials.

If you decide to decorate the wall with tiles or tiles, try to imagine in advance how it will look with radiators. This type of finish is very demanding on matching colors and surfaces. by the most the best option is wall decoration with paint or decorative plaster. Be sure to consider the color of the batteries. In order to avoid colored blunders, it is undesirable to make a colored niche. Neutral white is perhaps the most optimal choice, especially if you paint the battery in a color that emphasizes the interior of your room.

Finishing touch

The last step is the direct decoration of the heating radiator. Many are wondering how to decorate a cast-iron battery. All it takes is a little imagination. To make the battery unusual will help its painting in an unusual color.

For example, on radiators in a children's room, you can draw funny cartoon characters using templates. You can come up with a relief pattern and paint over it with a different color. Let's look at some of the options in more detail.

To create a relief pattern on the battery, you will need paper flagella. They can be wound from napkins, the paper should be thin. Make as many paper blanks as you need for the pattern. It is advisable to lay out the entire pattern first on the windowsill.

Currently, the design of objects with the effect of "old times" is very relevant. If your interior allows, you can, for example, paint over the radiator with black paint and use a sponge with gold or bronze paint to apply light touches. The effect is amazing.

If you don’t want to suffer and draw different patterns, you can use decorative screens. There are standard options for protective screens, there are unique models with beautiful openwork inserts. The most varied colors. In any case, you can choose the option that suits you best. This way you can make beautiful cast iron radiators with ease.

Wooden screens look very nice. If your battery is not located under the window, then the top of the screen can be used by placing beautiful photo frames and figurines on it. Just do not put flowers, they will be too hot there. Such screens may in addition be fitted with small drawers on one or each side of the screen.

Ideal solution for small rooms: a beautiful screen that effectively hides the battery, plus a convenient shelf and bedside table in which you can store any things. It should be noted that the use of protective screens has practically no effect on the thermal effect of the batteries.

Many apartments still have cast-iron batteries. This does not mean that "junk", "antiquity", etc. and we need to get rid of them urgently. This is the easiest option. If you are not a supporter of primitive solutions and are ready to experiment, this article is for you.

Today I will try to convince you that you can make candy out of junk.

To do this, you just need to transform your heating devices and it is possible to do it yourself. How to paint radiators and tell you today. This is a difficult and time-consuming task, but it is worth it.

Before deciding to self-painting batteries in the house, remember that not all surfaces are suitable for this. Look around and find out what kind of radiators you have. If cast-iron or old-style radiators with many typesetting fins - go ahead!

So, the hedgehog understands that before you start painting, you need to decide what to paint. The final result of our work will depend on what we choose. Until recently, only white was used, but now the color range is very extensive and varied. You can not only update the appearance of your battery, but also create a unique interior of the room.

If you are serious about painting radiators yourself, take care of essential tool.

What you might need:

• Knife - to remove peeling paint;
• Sandpaper, a special wash or a metal brush - to remove old paint;
• Paint brushes of various sizes;
• Rags - to clean the surface of the batteries;
• Roller - small for painting.

What should you pay attention to when choosing a paint?

All paints intended for painting heating appliances have their advantages and disadvantages:

1. Acrylic enamels - when dried, they exude a characteristic smell, but the result will please you - a glossy sheen for a long time;
2. Alkyd enamels - very big choice colors, resistant to high temperatures, but long-term preservation of the smell is possible.
3. Water-dispersion - no smell, dry quickly. The best option.

In any case, the choice of paint is yours. But pay attention to:

• good thermal stability;
• resistance to aggressive environment;
• minimum toxicity;
• abrasion resistance.

What to refer to when choosing a paint color?

As for the color scheme. The traditional solution is white. But use your imagination!

Batteries can be painted:

• in the color scheme of the walls;
• the predominant color in the interior;
• silver or bronze;
• color combination;
• apply drawings.

When painting batteries in a children's room, I would advise you to abandon stereotypical views. It can be butterflies, flowers, rainbow colors, etc. It all depends on your financial capabilities and imagination. Even with 2 colors in your arsenal, you can create an unprecedented color scheme and make your children happy.

Preparing battery surfaces for painting.

An important step in this process is the preparation of battery surfaces for painting. If you need high-quality and durable painting, we will work a little. Preparatory work most time consuming. But it's worth it.

You can define a certain sequence of preparing radiators for painting:

1. We clean the surface for painting well: remove the old layer of paint. Where signs of rust are visible, we clean it to a metallic sheen. We wash off dust and dirt, remove the old paint with a spatula and solutions for washing off;
2. Apply the flushing solution to the surface of the radiator and cover with a film to soften. After the paint is easily removed with a spatula, grinder or a metal brush worn on a drill. In the process of work, do not forget about safety measures: gloves, a respirator or a gauze bandage.
3. The surface of the batteries is skinned with sandpaper. Degrease with white spirit or any slightly alkaline solution.
4. After the surface of the battery is well cleaned, apply an anti-corrosion primer. An alkyd-based primer is best. When buying a primer, pay attention that it is anti-corrosive in order to prevent rust from reappearing.

Ways to clean radiators from old paint.

There are several ways to do this:

• mechanical - using a drill and a special nozzle. Also here you can include work with sandpaper. The process is laborious but effective;
• chemical - a special paste in the form of a gel. Using a brush, apply the composition to the entire surface of the battery. With a multi-layered old coating, try again after 20 minutes. For intensity, apply a film - cover the radiators with it. After a certain time - to work! Use a spatula and a wire brush to remove the old paint. Clean up the rest with sandpaper.
• a metal radiator is heated with an industrial hair dryer or blowtorch. When the temperature reaches the maximum (120-1400C), the paint will swell and begin to bubble. In this state, we remove it with a spatula. I do not recommend using this method with cast-iron batteries: it is long and inefficient.
• for "peas" - a sad method, but it exists. We remove the radiator, throw it into the fire. After burning the paint, clean the surface with a metal brush or a drill with a nozzle. When the battery cools down, we disassemble it into sections, remove the burned-out gaskets on the collectors. We knock out all the accumulated debris. When assembling, we put new gaskets. Collected, molded, painted.

Nowadays, you can find a large selection of paints containing a primer and a rust converter. They are applied without preparing the base of the battery, but, nevertheless, I would advise you to prepare it in advance. Unless, of course, quality is what you want.

Painting process.

We will work with the heating turned off. Why? No, it can be hot. But, then you are provided with uneven drying, uneven layer, smudges. If there is still such a need, then try to turn off the hot water supply for a while.

First color option.

• first, prepare the protection of the floor - lay unnecessary paper, maple, fabric;
• prepare brushes with soft bristles: straight and curved;
• We apply paint from top to bottom on all sides: inside, then outside.

It is better to apply the second after the first layer has dried. Two thin ones are better than one thick one.

Painting can be done with a spray gun or spray can.

There are some small nuances:

• If after applying the first layer, the paint is translucent. After drying, apply another layer. Not satisfied with the influx and uneven coloring - do not be nervous. When dry, sand these areas selectively and apply a thin layer on these surfaces.
• Can hot batteries be painted? Yes, I can tell you from my own experience. But do not pick up a lot of paint on the brush at once and rub it over the surface with quick movements. Just keep in mind: the paint in this case dries as quickly as possible.

Second color option.

1. The painting process is the same, but the preparation is different;
2. Reset the heating risers yourself or with the help of specialists;
3. Unscrew all plugs: deaf and through, remove jumpers;
4. Anneal the radiator either on a fire, or with a hairdryer or blowtorch;
5. Disassemble the radiator into sections using a radiator key;
6. Tap the sections with a mallet to remove the rust from the inside;
7. Clean all sections with a brush, metal is better;
8. Mount the radiator using conventional rubber gaskets. The outer dimension should be slightly smaller than the end of each section;
9. Mount and paint.

Two color options and the choice is yours. Tinker thoroughly with the 2nd method or give preference to the 1st - the choice is yours.

But, as with anything, there are nuances. But what if I want to paint the battery just because I want to. And not old, and not terrible, I just want to change her appearance. So. If your radiator is in good condition, i.e. covered with 1-2 layers of paint, the surface is even, feel free to apply paint from above without removing the previous layers. It just needs to be pre-processed.

As for aluminum and bimetallic batteries, they should not be treated harshly. The fact is that their coating is easy not only to spoil, but also to render it inoperable. If you want a color closer to ideal, you can contact the nearest service station. The technology for painting cars is similar. Agree - good. No, paint yourself using canned car paint.

There is a nuance here - you need to paint hot batteries. Drying time at a temperature of 130 degrees for 20 minutes, at 60 degrees - 40 minutes, and at 20 degrees - within a month.

Remember that for quality work it is necessary to maintain a distance of 20-30 cm - this will allow the paint to be sprayed evenly. In general, look carefully at the instructions, because. our manufacturers are inventive. And do not try to apply the perfect shade from the first layer. If you keep it in one place for a long time, there will be smudges. Better unpainted spots than splashes of paint. Remember this.

We paint panel radiators.

There may be two solutions here. When spraying enamel at the factory, use a can of auto enamel. If the paint is normal, follow the steps for cast iron radiators. But the front part is better to paint with a roller, not with a brush.

If you have panel radiators, you also need to change the color of the grilles. They need to be painted with a brush. If rust is found, it must be cleaned, primed, and then painted.

Personally me in recent times interested decoration heating batteries. As I said, white is outdated. I offer several proven decor options.

Decor.

1. Bronze decor - take black and red colors, mix and apply the resulting color to the surface. But ... pre-glue masking tape those places that should not be painted in this color. Any space can subsequently be applied to any pattern using a stencil.

Decoupage.

2. Decoupage - originality, style and small costs. And the result is worth all your and not only your expectations. For this method, you will need some materials. It:

• matte white paint;
• acrylic paints;
• decoupage paper with a certain ornament;
• PVA glue;
• heat resistant varnish.

Generally non-standard ways design of heating radiators last years are in demand. Nothing is impossible, and the result pleases not only your eyes. What do you need? As usual, we prepare batteries for painting - we clean, wash. But we paint them. matte paint. After 18 hours have elapsed - the paint drying time - we begin to glue decoupage paper on radiators.

We dilute the glue so that it can be applied without problems to the entire surface. But remember, we glue from the middle of the picture. After you paste the picture, you can finish it - background, details. When finished, apply a heat-resistant varnish.

With any method of painting, remember the necessary safety precautions.

Finally, you can watch the following video.

I hope the information was useful to you and the work will be pleasant, and the result is perfect.

That's all for me, dear reader.

The heating radiator is perfectly combined with the situation in the apartment, if it is evenly painted with a brilliant emulsion. Old batteries, the coating of which has faded and began to bubble, spoil the interior. Therefore, it is important to update them from time to time, painting them in a color identical to the tone of the walls in the room. True, this process can be difficult to do it yourself.

Difficulties of painting the battery in the apartment

Often problems arise when updating heating radiators, but they all have a solution:

• It happens that the coloring emulsion is smeared unevenly. In this case, the work must be interrupted. When the already applied emulsion dries up, the process must be resumed, starting from the forgotten stage - removing the old layer and treating the battery with a solvent;
• Some elements of the heating radiator are often not stained. This problem can be encountered using inappropriate tools. Hard to reach places cover not with a foam roller or an ordinary brush, but with a special curved brush small size. More for coloring internal elements batteries fit a simple toothbrush;
• Renewing the coating of a heating radiator is always inconvenient. In order to completely facilitate the task, it is worth dismantling the painted object. Such a trick will allow you to get a brush dipped in paint into absolutely all places that seemed inaccessible. But this does not mean at all that the battery must be removed from the wall. In this case, one should focus on the shape of the radiator and the complexity of dismantling;
• The paint may not lay down on the surface in a neat layer, forming stains, or bubbling. This problem is often caused by staining a hot radiator. In order for the new coating to be even, only a cold battery needs to be updated. If the heating radiator was repaired in the winter, it is necessary to block the access of heated water to it and wait until it becomes cold.

It should be noted right away that it does not always make sense to cover the battery with a new layer of coloring emulsion. It is worth updating the heating radiator if it is made of cast iron. Being flaky and faded, such heating equipment will adversely affect the quality of heat transfer. It is also recommended to periodically paint convectors that look like a rounded pipe supplying hot water, with ribbed elements added to it.

You should not start painting the battery if it is aluminum. The coating on the heating radiator made of such metal is unlikely to be updated accurately. The factory method of painting heating equipment cannot be compared with applying an emulsion with a conventional brush. Therefore, it is more expedient to cover an aluminum heating radiator, the paint on which cracked and faded from time to time, with a decorative element.

The nuances of choosing paint and calculation

How the heating radiator will look after updating its surface is significantly affected by the quality of the paint. Therefore, it must be immune to the effects high temperature(up to 100 degrees), resistant to abrasion and does not emit toxic substances.

Also, the type of coloring emulsion affects the result of the work on coloring the battery. Each has its own characteristics:

• Acrylic paint is easily taken with a brush and does not flow down on the treated surface, since it is the same in consistency as sour cream. The battery covered with it acquires a uniform glossy shade that does not wear off and does not turn gray for a long time. While this colorant dries, a faint smell of acetone can be felt in the air;
• Alkyd paint is chosen by many of those who decide to upgrade the heating radiator. It has such advantageous characteristics as high thermal stability, wear resistance and a huge range of shades. But such a coloring emulsion dries for more than one day and smells of something caustic, since Stoddard's solvent is included in its composition;
• Water-dispersion paint. It is so named because it requires the addition of water when applying the first coat. Such an emulsion dries on the battery during the day, and most importantly, it does not emit a pungent odor;
• Oil paint. It is considered a relic of the past, which is why almost no one uses it. This coloring matter is not suitable for covering heating radiators, as after a while it becomes faded, loses its luster and is mottled with cracks.

How to calculate the required amount of material

How much coloring emulsion is required to treat the surface of a heating radiator depends on its area. One section of a cast iron heating radiator is equal to 0.254 m 2. Approximate consumption of paint per 1 m 2 manufacturers will certainly indicate on the label of the jar, because each emulsion has its own consistency. A battery of 9 ribs usually takes more than half of a can weighing 0.9 kg.

Tools

In addition to heat-insulating paint, for the upcoming work it is necessary to prepare the following tools and means:

• Soft and narrow brush to cover the visible areas of the heating radiator;
• A small and curved brush that makes it easier to paint the internal elements of the battery;

The size of the brush is very important, because the process of painting a heating radiator requires special care. This indicator of the tool can correspond to half the width of one section of the battery. Too narrow a brush will make the work long and poorly miss many parts of the heating system equipment.

• Bulgarian, which is not difficult to hold in your hands, with an iron brush impaled on it;
• Hand brush, cleaning metal;
• A primer intended for the treatment of heating radiators;
• Solvent to degrease the surface of the battery.

Instructions for the correct application of paint with your own hands

In the process of coating the heating radiator with a new layer of paint, the following steps must be performed:

• Clean the surface from the previous layer of emulsion, using a grinder with an iron brush on the outer areas, and a manual metal brush on the inner ones;

Removal of old paint is carried out with goggles and a respirator worn on the face. It is necessary not to inhale a large number of rising dust.

• Moisten a small piece of cloth and wipe the scraped heating radiator with it until it is completely clean;
• Treat the surface of the battery with a solvent to degrease and protect the metal from corrosion;
• After a few hours, when the solvent is absorbed, it is necessary to apply a primer to all sections of the heating radiator, which is heat-resistant and prevents rust. Without it, it will not be possible to mask all the spots formed due to metal corrosion, even after treating the battery several times;

If desired, in a hardware store you can find a coloring emulsion, which has already added both a regular primer and an anti-rust liquid. When using it, the previous paragraph can be omitted.

• Lay cardboard from a cut box or film under the heating radiator so that drops of paint do not fall on the floor. You can also protect the wall from emulsion stains by putting paper behind the battery;

• Stir the coloring matter to knead the formed lumps;
• Start painting the battery, starting with its internal elements. If the first step is to start processing the outer areas, then later, when applying the emulsion to hard-to-reach areas, you can get dirty and spoil the already painted places with the brush handle;

The paint will lie on the surface perfectly if you first apply the emulsion to the top of the battery, and then to the bottom. Heating equipment must not be smeared with a thick and thick layer of paint, because of this, irregularities will appear on it.

Today, the choice of heating radiators is very diverse. There are models aluminum, steel, bimetallic. However, cast iron batteries are still in great demand due to their affordable price, high strength and classic design. Modern radiators made of steel and aluminum are sold already painted. Resistant powder paints are used to cover them. Expensive cast iron radiators also come from the manufacturer in a painted form. Inexpensive products go on sale, as a rule, unpainted. However, with the current range paintwork materials It's not a problem. good paint plus diligence - and the cast-iron battery will have a completely presentable appearance. Even if it is not new, but has worked faithfully for more than a dozen years.

How to paint a cast iron battery?

Now in any store of paints and varnishes you will definitely find special paint for radiators. On the container with it, a battery is usually depicted. The main difference from wall paints is an increased level of heat resistance.

The most suitable for cast iron batteries are two types of paints:

• acrylic (or acrylate) enamel;
• alkyd enamel.

The advantage of acrylic and acrylate enamels is that they never turn yellow. After all, acrylic is, in fact, plastic. In addition, such enamels dry quickly and do not have a strong odor.

If the battery in the apartment rarely warms up to temperatures above 80 degrees, you can use any acrylic enamel (not heat-resistant). For example, the one that painted the walls. However, in this case, the radiator will have to be handled with care. Do not dry wet clothes on it.

If the radiators are very hot in winter, it is necessary to purchase exactly heat-resistant acrylic paint. This will ensure that the painted surface will not change color or crack.

Alkyd enamel, unlike acrylic, turns yellow over time, but does not crack or peel off, even if wet things are dried on the battery. Alkyd enamel is also good because it can be applied over old layers of oil paint.

If you plan to paint a new radiator or an old battery cleaned of previous layers of paint, you will need not only enamel, but also an anti-corrosion primer for metal.

How to paint a cast iron battery?

If the battery is not new and has been painted more than once, it is advisable to remove the old paint. After all, the more layers - the less heat. If the radiator was painted more than two or three times, this is already critical. To remove old paint, you need to use a special remover ( chemical agent to remove old paint), carefully following the attached instructions.

The wash softens the paint film and reduces its adhesion to the surface. As a result, the paint is easily removed with a scraper, spatula or cloth.

After cleaning the radiator from paint, you should wash it thoroughly. Further, the surface can be sanded to at least partially smooth out the numerous roughnesses typical of domestic cast-iron radiators. To do this, you can use sandpaper or a cork brush. The main thing here is not to overdo it, because excessive grinding can make the battery more fragile. Still, you should not count on an ideal result - absolute smoothness cannot be achieved.

After sanding - primer. As already mentioned, an anti-corrosion primer for metal is required. The primer must be completely dry, and only after that you can paint.

If the battery is very old, painted for the first time already in the 50-60s, it is advisable to purchase a new radiator. Firstly, peeling off numerous layers of paint will not be easy at all. Secondly, cast iron radiators also have an expiration date. The longer the battery lasts, the worse it heats, because plaque accumulates inside, preventing the circulation of water. In addition, old radiators begin to rust, and sometimes leak. If there are a lot of layers of paint, the wash will have to be used several times, and a good wash is not cheap. A new battery will probably cost the same amount.

Now let's talk about the next step - coloring. It is recommended to paint only cold radiators, as hot paint dries too quickly. There is not enough time to properly distribute the paint over the surface. This causes various flaws: “bald spots”, smudges, brush marks, etc. Moreover, some paints, if applied to hot battery, may wrinkle.

It is convenient to paint the radiator with a brush. If the battery is cold and the paint is thin enough, the film will apply evenly and smoothly. If conditions allow, you can use an airbrush or spray paint.

Most of the time, one layer is not enough. It is necessary to wait for the first layer to dry and only then apply the second.

What color to paint the battery?

Radiator white color - classic. It is customary for us to place batteries under the windows, and they are almost always white. A radiator in the color of the window sill and frames is the most familiar and absolutely organic solution. However, it is far from the only one.

Very relevant today black batteries. There is an opinion that a black-painted radiator heats a little better than a white one. However, experts say that the difference, if any, does not exceed 1-2%. The black color of the battery is more a tribute to design than a concern for warmth. Such radiators can often be found in modern interiors, especially those that are decorated.

Battery in the color of the wall- the solution is less common, but, of course, successful. Of course, this does not mask the battery and does not make it invisible. However, thanks to this technique, the radiator does not stand out from the general space and does not look like something alien.

Photo from the project of designer Galina Yurieva

Not many dare to paint the radiator in bright color, contrasting walls. Making the battery an accent is a bold move. And very effective. This design option is suitable for a modern minimalist interior.

An interesting idea is to color the battery using the ombre (or gradient) technique. The end section is painted, for example, white. The second has a subtle color, and each subsequent section becomes more and more saturated.

Photo source: the-village.ru

Colored batteries are especially appropriate in children's rooms. Here you can safely be creative. For example, decorate the radiator with patterns, drawings, thematic painting. Or color the battery in the form of colored pencils, rainbows, etc.

The coloring of radiators is sometimes quite important. After all, you can bring them and damage them, this applies to new generation radiators. But you also have to periodically paint the old cast iron ones.

Today we will tell you how radiators are painted and in what sequence. You will also receive information on right choice dyes and on the video in this article, get Additional information about this question.

All work can be done entirely by hand. Then its price will not be significant. There is also a sequence that should be followed.

Attention: Some do not prepare the surface for painting. It is not right. After all, then you have to do the painting every year.

Choosing a dye

The appearance depends on the exact choice of paint color. After all, you can't really hide radiators.

There is a need to take into account the requirements for battery paint and heating systems, namely:

• Radiator paint must be heat-resistant (not less than 100°C);
• Stability to hostile environments;
• Abrasion resistance;
• No toxicity when heated.

Attention: There is also an odorless radiator paint, only the instructions must be studied before purchase and the material must meet the parameters set out above.

Special paints that are intended for painting batteries are divided into subspecies:

Which paint is better for radiators? Each of them has its pros and cons, so the preference in any case remains with the consumer.

Convectors and batteries

Worth mentioning small feature. In many current apartments, convectors (ribbed tubes) are installed as a heating device. You ask: how to carry out their coloring?

Such devices (especially those with a dense arrangement of aluminum fins) are not painted, as paint can adversely affect their heat transfer.

Convector installation device

In addition to the coolant, a removable housing is placed in it, which can be painted to improve the appearance. If the convector is completely outdated, then it’s a good idea to simply replace it with a new one.

So:

• Old solid batteries are cast-iron radiators (domestic veterans), which most often require painting. They proved to be excellent during the period of operation, and consumers often refuse to change them for new heating devices, not only because of a lack of money, but simply not seeing such a need - they heat up such convectors quite well, and it is suitable to dry small things on them.
• Quite often, outdated metal radiators are covered with countless layers of paint, and the lower layers have long turned into "ancient stalactites", from which it is imperative to get rid of before applying the paint.

How to prepare for painting

There are several ways to prepare the radiator, namely: completely remove all the old paint, or by processing the old coating in a special way before coating with new paint.

Let's take a closer look at these methods:

• The removal of the previous layers occurs with the help of chemical agents - washes such as: ACE, Dufay, B52, SP-6 and others, both domestic and many foreign companies. Washing with a base of fatty acids and acetone softens the old paint, separating it from the metal. It should be applied to the entire surface where there is paint and left for some time, unequal for various kinds washes (from 15 minutes to 5 hours).
• After the coating has completely softened, it is removed with a coarse brush or a hard scraper. The more layers of old paint applied to the device, the more times it is necessary to re-apply the wash. During the period of cleaning the convector, be sure to take care of sufficient ventilation of the room, and in other episodes (when using especially strong compounds), any respiratory protection may fit.

Caution: Be aware that some alloys used in radiators may react with flushing. The exception is cast iron - this is one of the few alloys that allow long time maintain the temperature of the contents, which are not dangerous to solvents. If the appliance is not made of the above material, be aware of the risk of acquiring a less than perfect surface after cleaning is completed.

• There is another nuance to which you should pay your attention: most of the current washes do not work well with oil paints produced in the 60s of the 20th century. What is connected with the use of natural components in their composition (which is why such paints are often called "natural").
• After complete removal of the previous paint, the plane is cleaned with sandpaper. Cast iron radiators are covered with so-called “bumps”, therefore, to improve aesthetics, it is best to try to clean at least the front side of the device - this work is quite laborious, where the main thing is not to overdo it, since the top layer is considered to be the strongest in cast iron castings and, taking on too zealously for stripping , you can make the device excessively fragile. Following the release of the paint layer, places with rust may open, which will need to be treated with a special agent against metal corrosion.
• Next, the surface must be primed, for example, with GF-021 or its substitutes, which are good to apply under domestic paints of the MA and PF brands. If you want the longest lasting effect, then there is no need to save - choose ground material foreign manufacturer, brands such as Deluxe, Sigma Coatings, ACE and the like.
• Another method of preparing the plane is that the painting takes place over the old coating. If there are no "centenary layers" on the convector, and the old coating is quite strong - do not be cunning, paint on top of it. Before painting, you need to scrupulously wash the surface, degrease it and let it dry properly. Most often, in this case, there is no need even for priming.

Important:

• You should know that the heat transfer of a cast-iron appliance increases by three to four percent when oil paint is applied on top of the primer.
• Paints containing heavy metals (lead or aluminum) in their composition reduce thermal conductivity, unlike oil ones.
• Heat output is not affected by three coats of applied paint, but each successive layer reduces heat output by one percent.

Product coloring

Turn off the heating system before painting the appliance. Excessively fast drying of the coating is facilitated by the heat of the operating radiator and heating pipes, and it does not have time to distribute normally, which leads to the appearance of irregularities on the surface (frozen drops and streams, marks from the brush).

If there is no chance of turning off the heating system, you can try to apply paint thin layer which is undesirable.

• In the trade there are paints from various manufacturers, designated as specially designed for heating radiators. Nevertheless, domestic finishing specialists insist that this is just a move in the marketing system, since temperature regime batteries usually does not exceed 80 ° C. Such heat is perfectly tolerated by impeccable paints and varnishes.
• Radiators are recommended to be covered mainly with alkyd enamels, which tolerate well even temperatures up to 90 o Celsius, keeping their strength and endurance to wear. You can also paint batteries with enamels such as acrylic and acrylate, which have fast drying properties and do not have a too strong odor.

If, according to the intention of the buyer, the color of the radiator should match the tone of the wall wallpaper (see Wall decoration with wallpaper in the correct design), then there are several options for solving this problem.

• The best thing is to choose a paint for radiators to match the wallpaper, or to tint it when buying (see How to tint the paint: we select the option).
• Another version is to paint the radiator with paint to match the interior, before covering the device with a selected primer. However, when choosing this method, one should not forget that wall paint loses its stability when heated. It is also not recommended to dry wet things on heaters painted with wall paint - chipping (peeling) of the coating is possible.

Radiators aluminum and bimetallic

Such devices are initially painted with powder paint under production conditions, and their home painting is mainly associated with either painting over scratches that occurred during transportation or installation of the device, or with a complete modification of an unacceptable color.

• It is relatively difficult to achieve the same smooth application by improvised methods. Therefore, if the question arises only in the selection of a shade, immediately buy a radiator of the desired color.
• If this is not possible, then there are two ways to solve the problem. One of them is to paint the device with high-quality alkyd enamel over the factory coating. Before this, the radiator must be treated with one of the special primers. The main thing in this place is the initial and subsequent thorough processing of the base from debris particles and its complete degreasing.
• Another option applies to those cases when there are chips and other defects on the production painting - it would be best to clean the surface of the battery to the base with a grinder. After that, the metal is processed using a primer according to a non-ferrous metal, then it is painted with alkyd paint.
• In the role of an improvised tool for painting, you can pick up a high-quality professional brush or aerosol. However, when using aerosol cans, some difficulties arise, it is not easy for them to paint the cavities of the device being processed inside and the wall on which the battery is fixed must be closed without fail so as not to get dirty with paint. It is worth taking note of the financial side of the problem - the cost of an aerosol is much higher than enamel. With this method it is convenient to paint the removable parts of convectors, and you can use barbecue paints that can withstand a temperature that is stable up to 400 ° C.

Now you know perfectly well how to paint the radiator grille. So look at the photo and you can get to work. Use only high-quality dyes, then the coating will not require replacement for a fairly long period of time.