Painting cast iron radiators. How to choose the right paint and paint the radiator. Quick surface preparation

To make repairs in the apartment perfectly, you need to take into account a lot of nuances. Wrong actions may not lead to very good results. Any forgotten or ignored little things will make themselves felt. This will soon lead to repeated repairs. The update is no exception. appearance heating elements. The most common type of repair that pipes or batteries undergo is painting. They do this to give a beautiful appearance to old products or to prepare for the installation of new, recently acquired ones.

Before you paint the radiators with your own hands, you need to familiarize yourself with all existing species materials and order of work, so as not to resort to re-processing.

When is it necessary to paint

Quite often, updating the appearance of batteries is performed when general repair the entire room. The owners decide to paint the heating radiators in a different color that will complement the interior created in the apartment.

When painting batteries is needed:

When purchasing a new heating element. You can get it in a ready-to-install state in rare cases. Most often, new radiators are sold unpainted.
In the process of long-term operation, the device has lost its external characteristics, the paint is yellowed, cracked or chipped. This item is relevant if the apartment has old cast iron products that were popular several decades ago.
During the renovation of the entire room, it was decided to paint the batteries in a color that complements its interior.

Necessary materials

To do the work yourself, you will need:

dye;
building hair dryer;
special composition for removing old paint;
grinder or screwdriver with special wire nozzles;
metal brush, sandpaper;
primer;
special solution for degreasing the surface;
putty knife;
putty;
brushes, rollers;
cotton rags;
film for covering surfaces that do not need to be painted;
masking tape.

Preparatory work

A good result depends not only on right choice material and paint. Careful preparation plays a huge role in this. To prevent cracking new paint on batteries, you should do a few manipulations with your own hands:

Take off old layer.

With the help of a building hair dryer, you need to heat the old paint until it melts and begins to peel off. Then it can be removed with a spatula.

In the absence of a hot air gun, use special formulations for removing paint. The entire battery should be covered with liquid, covered with polyethylene and left. Typically, the corrosion process requires no more than an hour. After the specified period of time, the paint is removed with a spatula. So you can remove almost all the old coating, but in some places it will remain, so additional manipulations should be carried out.

Important! When using flushing fluid, ensure good ventilation of the room and use personal protective equipment.

To remove residues, use a grinder or a screwdriver with special wire nozzles. With their help, the battery can be cleaned to metal. If such a power tool is not available, then cleaning is done with a special brush with a metal pile or sandpaper.

In the event that there are rusty places on the batteries, it is necessary to use a special liquid designed to remove rust. You can buy it at any hardware store.

Metal degreasing.

This is done using special means: acetone, white spirit. It is necessary to soak a rag in the liquid and carefully wipe the entire surface of the heating radiator.

Primer coating.

At this stage, the battery is coated with a special anti-corrosion primer. It will prevent corrosion on the heating element. The adhesion of paint to the surface of the radiator will become better.

Elimination of irregularities.

If the product has cracks, bumps, chips that need to be hidden, you will have to putty them. It is best to use automotive putty. After removing the defects, wipe the surface again and treat with a primer.

Choosing a paint

This stage is no less important than the preparation and painting of the batteries itself. Therefore, before painting cast iron radiators, it is necessary to choose the right material. It must have a number of qualities that will later become a guarantee of safety, beauty and durability.

So, the choice must be made taking into account the following criteria:

The paint must be resistant to high temperatures. Due to the fact that during the heating season, cast-iron batteries will become very hot, they must be covered with a material that will not lose its characteristics under the influence of high temperature. Otherwise, after the first heating season, you will have to paint again. It is necessary to purchase only the paint that can withstand temperatures of at least 100 degrees.
Abrasion resistance and others mechanical influences. Since heating communications usually also perform the function of dust collectors, they often have to be cleaned. Therefore, it is important that the coating is not worn off after a dozen cleanings.
The absence of harmful components in the composition. To prevent the release of substances harmful to the human body, it is necessary to paint the batteries with a material that does not contain them or contains least amount. If there are a lot of them in the paint, then when the radiator is heated or it is cleaned, air will be released, which will not affect the well-being of everyone living in the apartment in the best way.

Types of materials

Basically, for painting heating elements, the following paints are used:

alkyd;
oil;
acrylic;
water-dispersion.

All of them have their advantages and disadvantages, given that everyone chooses the most suitable option.

Alkyd paint is famous for its strength, resistance to abrasion and other mechanical stress, but has bad smell. It is in demand due to large selection colors and shades. When applied to the surface, it is very easy to achieve a uniform tone.

oily It has an unpleasant odor and takes a long time to dry compared to other types. During painting, difficulties arise with uniform application of it to the surface.

Acrylic materials boast an attractive glossy appearance and abrasion resistance. Its main disadvantage is an unpleasant odor that has to be weathered for a long period of time. The reason for this is the presence of a solvent in its composition.

Water-dispersion paints do not stink, dry quickly, but do not resist abrasion as much. They are not popular, as the painted surface is dull and slightly rough. The choice of water-dispersion paints suitable for metal and at the same time heat-resistant is small.

You can buy paint in a jar or aerosol can.

When choosing a color, some buyers prefer dark colors, guided by the opinion that they are more suitable for heating radiators than light ones. In this, a huge role is played not only by the desire to add a kind of zest to the interior, but also by the judgment that dark radiators give off more heat than light ones. From the point of view of the laws of physics, this is true. But how significant the difference in temperatures will be needs to be checked in practice. Why not try some DIY with dark paint. If the painted product successfully fits into the interior, it will give the apartment character and originality.

There is a moment in which bright hues clearly inferior not in theory, but in practice. So why is it better to cover radiators with dark paint? The fact is that over time, the white coating gradually turns yellow. As a result, it needs to be updated more frequently.

Before you paint the radiators with your own hands, it must be carried out in compliance with certain rules. This will ensure a good end result.

Cover surfaces that are not going to be painted with film or newspaper. Use masking tape to attach to the wall.
Do not paint heated radiators. The unpleasant odor will be released more intensively and the risk of cracking of the coating will increase.
It's best to start painting from the top, as drips can drip onto the covered areas, which will be ugly. It will also be more difficult to achieve an even layer.
It is recommended to start painting with your own hands from hard-to-reach places so as not to get dirty in the process.
Professionals recommend applying several thin coats of paint rather than one generous one. This will make it easier to achieve a uniform tone. It will also contribute to the quality of heat transfer. The next layer should be covered with a heating radiator only after the previous one has completely dried.

If the battery is already installed in its place, then it will be easier to work with small rollers or straight and curved brushes. In this case, the spray gun will be inconvenient to use. It may be difficult to apply a uniform layer when painting the back of the product.

Taken or not yet installed battery it is better to paint with an aerosol can or spray gun, which will reduce time costs.

Important! Aerosols and spray guns can only be used in well-ventilated areas. Respirators must be used.

Painting radiators with your own hands is a rather laborious and responsible process. This process does not tolerate mistakes and ignoring important points. Only by following all the recommendations of specialists, you will be able to update thermal communications in a high-quality and creative way.

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Many more experienced owners are well aware that heating radiators serve not only directly to heat the room. These appliances are also an excellent decor element with which you can decorate any home (read also: ""). One of the options for such decoration is painting the battery with your own hands. This procedure will help turn an old and shabby radiator into a completely new attractive interior detail.

About what and how to paint old battery heating, further and will be discussed.

The need to paint the battery

There are times when painting a radiator is not just a whim of the owners, but really a necessity caused by certain factors.

So, the unit should be coated with a coloring compound if:

Purchased a new heater. Many residents very often have a question about how to paint cast iron battery, since devices made of this material are often supplied unpainted;
it was decided to carry out repair work in order to update the interior of the premises;
during operation, the heater lost its normal appearance and turned into an outdated unit with peeling paint. This is especially true of traditional cast iron batteries, which were so popular in the last century.

Regardless of how to paint cast iron batteries, it is very important to carry out the necessary preparatory work that contributes to a more easy application paint and its best drying on the radiator.

In addition, it is very important that the painting of cast iron batteries does not affect the heat transfer performance of the device, otherwise the performance of the equipment will decrease significantly.

Preparation for painting the radiator

Before you prepare the battery for painting, you should remember that pre-cleaning is required not only for the old one, but also new battery, where there will always be some bumps and dirty areas. The surface of the radiator must be properly cleaned and then degreased.

Not everyone can determine when painting radiators can begin without any preparation, and when it is simply impossible to do without all the above procedures.

To do this, the following three states of the heating radiator can be taken into account:

The layer of old paint does not have any cracks or chips. This means that the previous one was performed as correctly as possible, so in this case, you can proceed directly to applying a fresh coating.
In the event that the surface of the battery has small areas with chipped and peeling paint, this means that these areas need to be sanded to get smooth surface and then paint.
Provided that the old coating has come off almost completely, painting radiators can only be carried out if there is a serious preparatory work where you need to use a brush equipped with iron bristles, or a special cleaning solution with the addition of some alkali.

It happens that on the old radiator there are areas exposed to rust. In this case, you can use different kind destroying this plaque compounds, which are always available in any hardware store.

Before you paint the old battery, you need to thoroughly wash the heating device from the dust that has settled on it and treat it with any liquid that can degrease the surface, for example, acetone.

The choice of paint for the radiator

Modern construction market offers a wide range of colors and color solutions for them, so the choice of how best to paint the radiators usually depends on the preferences of the owners themselves.

However, when choosing a coloring composition, the following recommendations should be taken into account:

the selected paint must be resistant to high temperature effects (from 80 to 90 ° C);
when choosing, it should be understood that the composition must have a homogeneous structure and have good performance wear resistance, so as not to lose its attractive appearance during operation;
it is extremely important to make the paint resistant to the appearance of various harmful formations on the surface of the radiator, such as corrosion.

Often, experts, answering the question regarding how and how to paint old batteries, advise using different types enamels that meet all the above standards. In this case, it is worth distinguishing the compositions according to their technical features.

For example, water-based acrylic enamels do not have an unpleasant odor, they dry quickly and give the surface a glossy sheen (read also: ""). If you use a paint that contains a solvent, then you do not need to use a primer. If we talk about alkyd enamels, then these paints may lose their luster over time, in addition, they have a very bad smell, which lasts quite a long time in the drying process.

Heating battery painting process

After the surface of the battery has been properly treated, it is imperative to apply a primer coat on it in order for the paint to better adhere to the device.

It is very important to properly cover the surface with a primer, since this work directly affects the heat transfer performance of the unit. This is especially true in cases where the question arises of how to paint cast iron batteries, since the performance of these already outdated products is low. See also: "".

It is worth remembering that if solvent-based enamel is used as a coloring composition, then it is not necessary to apply a primer, although it will not damage the surface in any way.

When using a primer, it is very important to make sure that it has an anti-corrosion effect, which will additionally protect the metal parts of the radiator.

The process of painting the radiator should take into account the following important features:

it is strongly not recommended to paint heated batteries, since in this case there is a risk of cracking the paint, and its unpleasant odor increases;
it is most correct to start painting from the top of the radiator, otherwise the drops will fall on the already painted surface;
in order not to stain your hands and clothes, it is best to treat the internal areas first, and then the external ones;
main coloring tool should be a brush. Its use will allow you to process all areas of the radiator as carefully and accurately as possible;
professionals advise applying paint in two thin layers, which will be much more correct than applying one, but thick. Double painting will be much more efficient in terms of heat dissipation heating equipment. It is necessary to apply the second layer only after the final drying of the first, and the time required for this is usually indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging of the coloring composition;
it would be absolutely useful to lay some unnecessary papers on the floor so that drops of paint do not fall on the floor. See also: "How to paint radiators with your own hands - the choice of paint, painting methods".

If you have any questions, you can always seek help from specialists who can give advice on how to paint a radiator, as well as having numerous photos of samples of painted radiators.

Tips for painting radiators on video:

It is necessary to paint the heating battery for two reasons: if the old paint is irradiated, cracked. They also repaint if you need to change its color: it turned yellow, but has no defects. Yeah, it just doesn't fit in new decor. In the first case, the procedure is as follows: first you need to remove the old paint and only then paint. If the paint is in good condition and there are less than three layers, then it can not be removed.

We paint the battery

Works when painting important rule: two or three thin layers of paint are better than one thick one. And do not try to paint over perfectly the first time. By taking more paint on the brush, you will most likely get a greasy streak that will not be easy to get rid of. At the same time, it will be no closer to the ideally native surface than to painting. Therefore, we take a little paint and carefully rub it. Even if you can see a little metal or old paint. Everything will be corrected by subsequent layers.

First, paint the inner surfaces. A brush with a bent handle can help with this. You may need several of them: from quite thick to very thin. Some places can only be climbed with an old toothbrush, so find that too. We start painting from top to bottom from the outermost section. Where is the extreme - on the right or on the left - as it suits you.

After you have painted everything inside, start painting outer surface. The sequence is the same: from one edge to the other, from top to bottom. Why not vice versa? Because when painting from below, drops will fall on the already painted surface, they will again need to be rubbed with a brush. Extra labor and time.

After applying the first layer, wait until it is completely dry. The drying time before applying the next layer is usually indicated on the label. Then apply the second one in the same sequence. Then decide if you need to paint again.

One more thing: if after the first layer it lay unevenly, streaks and bumps remain, after drying, take the skin and level them. The second time there will be more experience and everything will turn out better.

Painting a radiator with normal paintwork

In the normal state of the paint without visible flaws, if there is only one (or two) layer and they lie evenly, you can paint on top without removing the old coating. Only pre-processing is required.

We paint an aluminum and bimetallic battery

If you want to paint aluminum or in which you are not satisfied only with the color, think well whether it is worth spoiling good coverage. Maybe it's worth in this case to close the radiator? And one more thing: if your radiators are under warranty, then after painting the factory (or the seller) in warranty repair refuse. Even if the reason is completely different.

If you want to get a color similar to the "factory" contact a specialized service station. They paint cars using the same technology. Maybe they will agree to paint your radiators

If need to paint aluminum or bimetal radiator still there, it is better to contact a specialized auto repair shop. Only they can professionally help. If you want to do everything yourself, you can use paint for cars in a can. But with this option, it is likely that in those places where the radiator is often touched, upper layer will be erased, although it depends on the quality of the enamel and the starting coating of the radiator.

If you still decide to use car enamel, you need to work on hot batteries. And the hotter the better. Drying time at 130 o C - 20 minutes, at 60 o C - 40 minutes, and at 20 o C - a month.

An important condition: during work and all the time while the paint dries, the window must be open, the doors to other rooms must be closed. Please bring mask and gloves.

Everything around will have to be covered with paper, old rags. The spray can is a good thing, but it almost turned in the wrong direction, and everything is painted in the tone of the radiators ... During operation, keep the distance you need for uniform spraying - this is about 20-30 cm, but it is written on the package for sure. And in general, even before buying, carefully read the instructions and recommendations for use. So you will understand whether you can provide the required conditions for applying paint.

The order is the same: start with the inner surfaces, then walk along the outer ones from top to bottom. Don't try to achieve the perfect color the first time. This is practically unrealistic, especially if the base color is white, and some kind of bright shade. If you keep the jet in one place for too long, there will be sags and streaks. They are much more difficult to deal with than unpainted places. It is better to apply one or two more layers after complete drying. The result will be better.

Changing the color of cast iron

Most often, old-style cast-iron batteries need painting. It is definitely better to carry out work after the end of the heating season: it will be safer for you, and the coloring will be better. Then the order is:

We paint a panel radiator

There may be two options here. If there is a factory coating of enamel, it is better to use a can of car enamel. If the paint is normal, the procedure is the same as for cast iron. With the only difference that front panel It will be easier to paint with a roller, rather than brushes.

But in panel radiators You also need to change the color of the bars. They already need to be painted with brushes. If there is rust on the grilles, they should first be cleaned, then treated with a rust converter, primed (composition with an anti-corrosion effect), and only then painted. All these funds are easiest to buy at the car market - there are a lot of them in different packaging.

How to remove old paint from a battery

Often the question is not how to paint, but how to remove the old paint. There are several ways.

Mechanical

You can remove the paint from the radiator using a drill and a special nozzle. Back to mechanical methods refers to the processing of the radiator with sandpaper. But this is a very long process that will take a lot of time and no less effort. If there is no drill, you can pay for its rent, and in a few hours remove all layers of paint to the metal. Manually, you will have to spend a whole day on this, or maybe more than one - it depends on the size of the battery and the amount of paint on it.

Chemical

Often a special paste is used to remove paint. It has the appearance of a gel. Take a clean brush and apply the composition to all surfaces. If there is a lot of paint, the treatment must be repeated after 20 minutes (right on top of the previous layer). Then it is recommended to cover the radiator with a film - so the impact will be more intense. After waiting for the period of time specified in the instructions, put on a mask, gloves, arm yourself with a spatula and a brush with metal bristles. First remove the paint with a spatula, then clean the residue with a brush. Particularly "harmful" or hard-to-reach places can be rubbed with sandpaper.

thermal method

The paint and varnish coating on the batteries is applied thermally resistant, but even with certain temperatures starts to peel off. Therefore, in order to remove old paint from the radiator, it must be heated.

A metal radiator will heat up enough building hair dryer or blowtorch. When the temperature of the metal exceeds the critical point for the paint (this is usually 120-140 o C), it will swell and begin to bubble. This is where you need to remove it with a spatula.

A cast-iron battery will have to be heated in this way for a long time, it will take a lot of time, and the effect will be insignificant. Cast iron has a very high heat capacity, it is very difficult to heat it with a building hair dryer to 120-140 o C. Option: partially use chemical method, partially - thermal, sometimes cleaning with hands or a drill.

There is one way, but only for old accordions. It will simultaneously remove all the deposits that have accumulated inside. But for this, the battery will need to be removed, and then completely repackaged. And immediately about the sad: when using this method, casting flaws can be revealed. During the cleaning process, rusted particles fall off and fistulas may appear. But on the other hand, it is better to immediately exclude all leaky sections than to repair damage during the heating season later. Moreover, you still have to sort out the entire radiator.

Now about the method itself. Remove the radiator and throw it into the fire. All paint burns, you just have to clean the surface with a metal brush or a drill with a nozzle. The cooled battery must be disassembled into sections, burnt-out gaskets on the collectors must be removed. Then tap each section with a mallet and pour out all the garbage that has accumulated there over the years. When assembling, put new gaskets, you can use new nipples, or you can put old ones if they are in good condition. The assembled battery is pressed and then painted. It takes a lot of time, but this is not only painting, but also a “general cleaning”.

How to paint a cast iron radiator

After the old paint is removed, the battery is cleaned to a metallic sheen (drill with cord brush). Then carefully, they are treated with a "non-greasy" solvent, for example, acetone or pure gasoline. You need to wipe everything until the rag soaked in the solvent is clean.

After drying, cover the entire surface both inside and out with a primer. For a cast-iron battery, it is imperative to take a composition that provides anti-corrosion protection. Otherwise, after a while, rusty spots and streaks will appear on the surface. You can (and even need to) use primers for cars. They provide quality protection. The method of applying paint is described above: we start with internal parts, and start from the top, move down. Then, according to the same principle, we process the outer surfaces. Apply thin layers. Each time we wait until it dries completely. We clean up the flaws, then we go through the second, and if necessary, the third time. This is the only way to achieve high-quality coloring.

How to paint only a section

There are times when it is necessary to paint only some small plot. It makes no sense to remove all the paint and repaint the battery (or pipe). Then you need any accessible way clear required area, capturing some "adjacent territories". Sand it to the metal, and treat it with a solvent to a “clean rag”, apply a primer. After the primer dries, apply paint.

If there is a difference in levels between the painted and cleaned surface, it is necessary to equalize the difference with metal fillers. They are epoxy and polyester. Sold, also in auto shops. Despite the fact that these are car enamels, the heating temperatures are “kept” normally. Smooth the surface with fine grit sandpaper, then prime and apply several coats of paint.

Is it possible to paint a hot battery

Basically, you can. But then you need to select a paint with a suitable application mode, and they cost twice as much, require compliance with security measures (a respirator and open windows), they “smell” much stronger, and are available in a much smaller assortment. So it's a debatable decision.

Is it possible to hot battery apply regular paint? This is not recommended. But, as usual, so do many. The smell is then much stronger, but when working in a mask and with an open window, the risk of poisoning is minimal. But that's not all the trouble. Some types of paints change color when applied “hot”, there is a risk of getting instead of a white battery

yellowish.

The second trouble is that the paint on a hot battery dries very quickly. You can’t break away or be distracted, you need to work intensively with a brush all the time. Still, it will be difficult to achieve an even color. If you only need to “refresh” the color, it is still possible, but a radical change is unrealistic. Wait for the end of the heating season or turn off the battery with ball valves.

There are several types of paints that it is desirable to apply on hot radiators. These are some types of car enamels. More acrylic enamel "Rainbow" for metal and heating radiators. Here it is desirable to apply it to a hot battery or pipe. On cold cracks will appear after drying. But before work, carefully read the instructions and follow them exactly. Enamel is good, no smell. If repairs are needed urgently - look for such a suitable color.

Read more about paints for radiators here.

Results

A simple, it would seem, process is the coloring of the battery, but there are many subtleties. From how to remove the old coating, to the procedure for applying new layers.

During repair, after installation, as well as due to the loss of the desired color, partial chips, the batteries need to be painted. Often, radiators are repainted, if the color does not suit you, you want to create a single style in the room. The reason for painting can be minor scratches, chips, which often remain after installing the battery.

Before proceeding with staining, you should carefully consider all its nuances. Then a great result is guaranteed. If the question arose “how to paint radiators?”, It is worth considering everything important points this process.

Preparing Batteries for Painting

A significant role is played by the preparation of radiators for painting. First you need to determine how dirty the battery is, thoroughly clean it. They get rid of dirt with a cloth, brush, an effective spray gun. Even if the radiator is new, it still needs to be degreased, treated with sandpaper, after being cleaned of dust. The paint will crack, partially begin to chip off, quickly lose the integrity of the layer if applied to an unprepared surface.

To perfectly clean the radiators, you need to remove the old layer of paint, completely get rid of the soil. AT special attention need areas affected by rust. It is important to process them to metal.

Tools and materials for painting radiators

Of great importance are the tools, compositions used in the preparation of the radiator. A special brush mounted on the drill will provide optimal processing of the battery. Flushing solutions also work effectively: it is good to apply them to the entire dry surface of the radiator paint brush, and then wrap it with a film. The paint will soften and be removed easily in an hour, you don’t even need to use a drill - a regular spatula is enough. The advantage of special washes is that they are harmless to metal, they only destroy layers of paint.

After there are no traces of the old paint left, the surface must be treated with emery, be sure to degrease. For this, any slightly alkaline solution, white spirit, is suitable. At the final stage of preparation, a layer of anti-corrosion primer is applied to the radiator. After completing all these steps, you can be sure: the surface is ready, the paint will adhere perfectly to it, it will hold securely and for a long time.

This is interesting: unusual tools that will help in the coloring of batteries

Choosing the Perfect Battery Paint

It is important to determine which paint is best for transforming radiators. There are a number of requirements that must be met by paint applied to batteries. At least one hundred degrees, heat resistance of the paint is needed, abrasion resistance, non-toxicity are also needed, since the batteries are regularly cleaned, and the radiator itself heats up. The paint containing metallic powder instead of coloring pigments differs in the highest heat resistance.

There are special paints for radiators on sale, many use enamels on water based, heat-resistant varnishes. The selected paint must necessarily be designed to cover the metal, match the primer. Good compositions are durable, do not change color, and are able to protect themselves from corrosion.

Glossy gloss, color fastness on long time are provided with acrylic enamels on organic solvents. But they smell quite strongly upon application. Water-dispersion paints will dry quickly, but it is important to choose them carefully by choosing special types. After staining alkyd enamels uniformity of the coating is guaranteed, it will be durable and resistant to impacts. However, the smell can be observed not only during the painting process, but also some time after drying, standing out from heating.

Color selection

The decision in what color it is better to paint the radiators is up to the owners. Now available a wide range of funds, a variety of compositions. Classical is considered to be white enamel, silver. Some choose colors according to the interior, lighting, common style apartments and design features. Gold and bronze shades, subtle patterns, drawings look unusual.

If the look of your old radiators no longer pleases you, then you can try to breathe into them new life through experiments

The quality of painting cast iron batteries also largely depends on how well they are prepared. As a tool for applying paint, a smooth foam rubber roller, small in diameter, and in hard-to-reach places a brush will come in handy. To decide for yourself how to paint the most convenient, you should think about removing the batteries. The radiator separated from the pipes can be covered with a composition on all sides, so there will be much less inaccessible places. At the same time, this method does not always justify itself, sometimes it is easier to paint over the battery more carefully without wasting time removing it. It all depends on the specific circumstances, the shape of the radiator.
A very important factor is the temperature of the painted surface: the radiator must be cold. To the question “is it possible to paint hot batteries?” any specialist will answer unequivocally: this cannot be done. The most convenient moment is the time when there is no heating season. But the beginning of the heating period will not be a hindrance if you close the valves on the batteries, stopping the access of boiling water. It is enough to wait for them to cool completely to start painting. In the case of applying paint to a hot radiator, it will lie unevenly, swell, and various spots and stains will probably form. Moreover, you can connect the heating only when the paint is completely dry.

WARNING: never paint hot batteries!

Painting radiators and heating pipes requires care and accuracy. It is good to use brushes, small rollers, spray cans. From the spray gun, it is optimal to process a previously removed battery, then all hard-to-reach areas will be perfectly painted over. It is from those places that are the least accessible that staining should begin. It is important to observe a uniform layer thickness, otherwise the color may subsequently differ in different areas.
It is recommended to start painting from above, then random streaks will not spoil lower part. You need to cover the entire battery with the composition, not limited to its front part. It is more effective to apply paint in two thin layers, and wait until the first one is completely dry, before re-painting. Then there will be no streaks, and ideal evenness is easier to achieve with thin layers.

Video: master class on painting heating radiators

Given all the subtleties of painting, batteries can be given a wonderful look that they will retain for many years.

Video: elementary but effective painting of batteries

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Discussion:

Julia said:

Hello, I have a question: everything in the apartment was replaced water pipes including risers, as well as connections to batteries on black steel. A disabled person lives in the apartment, who does not go outside and, moreover, does not tolerate the smell of paint. We decided to paint all pipes first with anti-corrosion primer on acrylic base(because it doesn’t smell) and on top with enamel for radiators, also on an acrylic base, odorless “expert”.

But it turned out that all the shops in the city ran around, but such soil was not found. Painted just three coats of enamel. Now I'm thinking, and I'm afraid that this water-based enamel will only destroy the pipes. I think, either you need to quickly clean it off, or leave it, what do you advise? I will order the soil via the Internet, but if it comes, it will not be soon. Which is better: peel off the enamel and let the bare pipes stand waiting for anti-corrosion primer, or leave the enamel until the primer arrives? Will it destroy the pipes - the basis is water?

Alexander said:

Margarita, how wrong you asked this question, because the heating season has already begun. Of course there is a way out. Try to find in construction stores paint remover. Another option is troublesome, but if nothing remains: remove the battery and brush it with a brush dressed on a grinder. Moreover, it can be disassembled into ribs if necessary.

Margarita said:

Good afternoon! I painted the batteries and now I'm biting my elbows. Maybe you have some advice on how to solve my problem).
4 months ago, I painted the batteries with HAMMER LIGHT 3 in 1 primer-enamel on rust. The paint holds up remarkably, but the persistent chemical smell still lasts! Now they gave heat, the smell is simply suffocating! No airing, no wet towels, no salt, no coffee - nothing can get rid of this “aroma”. It smells even in the vestibule, which infuriates the neighbors on the site. How can I get rid of this paint or smell (except for replacing the radiators themselves)?!

Question-remont.ru said:

Hello, Elena!

Although it will turn out to be somewhat inconsistent, we will consider each question in turn briefly.

1. Surfaces must be degreased before applying the primer. Before applying the primer, be sure to clean off all the old layers of the coating and the old primer. If you mean a cast-iron sewer pipe, then most likely it will also have a layer of resin protective coating. It should also be removed down to the metal. Everything is cleaned with sandpaper with a grain of 200. After that, all the dust is wiped off or washed off, and the dried pipe is degreased with white spirit.

2. The paint manufacturer can guarantee reliable adhesion only when using their primers and paints with enamels. However, with regard to water-based acrylic paints, they are all created according to virtually identical recipes, according to the same recommendations. Therefore, it is possible to allow the use of soil from other manufacturers.

3. Given that the enamel will be applied in several layers with a mandatory exposure between layers of 4-6 hours, the color of the primer will be reliably covered with enamel and will not show through. Only if, for the sake of economy, it is decided to apply one layer of enamel, one should also select a primer with the closest possible color or colorless.

4. When using any coating, the most complete operating procedure should be followed. First, all the old coating and primer is removed down to the metal. If rust appears, then it is removed with the help of sandpaper until a metallic sheen appears. The rest of the surface is also lightly cleaned with sandpaper. The main part of dust and dirt is swept or wiped off. With the help of white spirit or other suitable agent, the surface is degreased. After that, you can start puttying to level the surface, if necessary. Then there is division. If puttying was carried out, then the surface should also be primed in order to equalize the property of the entire surface in terms of adhesion. If you have to paint pure metal, then many varnishes and paints for metal do not involve the application of a primer, so that several thin layers of coating can be immediately applied to a degreased surface.

Good luck with the repair!

Elena said:

Hello! I need to paint cast iron pipe acrylic paint water based. Please tell me. : 1. Is it necessary to treat the pipe with white spirit before priming. 2. Is it possible to use a primer for metal from another company (I use acrylic enamel for metal and heating radiators “Rainbow”, Novosibirsk)? 3. Should the color of the primer match the color of the enamel? (e.g. the primer is gray and the enamel is white). 4. If the enamel is not water-based, what is the procedure for processing the cast-iron pipe (what for)? Thank you.

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Cast iron radiators - veterans heating systems

You are going to make repairs at home - you have a lot of plans, projects, ideas that you really want to bring to life. Walk around the apartment, evaluating the scope of work, making notes - what to repair, what to replace, what to refuse in principle. The list of jobs is growing rapidly, the list of projected financial expenses is growing even faster. And now your eyes stumble upon the “grandfather” of venerable age in the living room - the good old cast-iron radiator. And you are thinking - to leave and restore or throw it away and replace it with something more modern?

Do not rush to abandon these veterans of heating systems - with proper handling, they are quite able to serve you for a long time and faithfully. Did you know that cast-iron heating radiators were invented back in 1857 by the Frenchman Franz Saint-Galli and since then they have been faithfully used to heat rooms of any type. There are good reasons for this, namely the following qualities:

Excellent heat dissipation;
High temperature inertia - that is, our batteries heat up for a long time, but they also cool down for a very long time, leaving the room warm and heated for a long time;
Low hydraulic resistance - the coolant, circulating inside the radiators, encounters almost no resistance and there is no need for forced circulation;
Durability - just look at how many years these "dinosaurs" can serve, practically without losing their qualities;
Corrosion resistance - cast iron is weakly susceptible to corrosion, which significantly affects the durability of the product.

As you can see, there are a lot of advantages and it is too early to write off the old heating batteries in the trash. As for the unattractive appearance - because the product can always be painted, this will surely solve the problem.

Preparing radiators for painting

So, before you paint, you need to properly prepare the surface of the battery. This is necessary so that the paint lies evenly, correctly, so that good adhesion to the surface is ensured, so that over time the coating does not chip or fall off. So, let's consider the preparation process in stages:

First you need to thoroughly wipe the surface of the unit, completely removing dust, debris, various kinds of pollution;
As a rule, our "veterans" are covered old paint layered and secure to a fossil - all this must be removed before painting. For this purpose, we use various kinds of chemical washes based on solvents and acids. We carefully read the instructions, apply the substance to the surface, wait for the time indicated in the instructions and proceed to the removal of "fossils";
Old paint softens under the influence of chemical washes and we can remove it with a spatula and special hard brushes. However, it must be remembered that washes do not work on paints released before the middle of the last century, since they were made from natural ingredients;
So, the old coating has been removed and you can proceed to the next step - sanding the surface with sandpaper. We agree - the work is dreary, requiring remarkable patience, but absolutely necessary if we want to paint our battery with high quality;
And at the end, the surface should be primed with a special primer so that the paint lays well and holds firmly.

The choice of paint for radiator heating

Now is the time to ask yourself a legitimate and perfectly relevant question:

“How would it be more convenient to choose what paint to paint our battery with?”

There are a number options coverings cast iron radiators, and which one to choose is up to you, of course.

Our coating must have the following properties:

Heat resistance - that is, do not collapse under the influence of temperatures up to 80 degrees Celsius;
Environmentally friendly - the coating should not have any negative impacts on the human body;
The coating must protect the surface of the unit from corrosion;
The ability to retain its original color for a long time.

Consider how we can paint our battery

Alkyd enamel is quite durable, strong, able to maintain the integrity of the structure for a long time. However, after application, a specific chemical smell lasts for a long time. Therefore, if you decide to paint the surface with this enamel, put on a respirator;
Water-dispersion acrylic enamel - dries quickly, has no pungent odor, durable and strong. The disadvantage is that for painting heating radiators you need to choose only special heat-resistant enamels;
Acrylic enamel with a solvent - does not require a surface primer, is well applied, dries quickly, does not have a sharp chemical odor. However, there are difficulties with solvents and this paint does not lend itself to shading the desired color.

You can cover the battery with ordinary oil paint, but this is unlikely to make the unit more attractive - Oil paint it's just not designed for that purpose. And there is an opinion that heat transfer can suffer from this.

Be sure to pay attention to an important detail - batteries must be painted cold! When painting a heated surface, the paint lays unevenly, bubbles, wrinkles. Therefore, all work of this kind should be carried out during the non-heating season.

Conclusion

So, as you have seen, you should not rush to get rid of old cast-iron radiators. Being correct, correct painting they are able to look attractive and will give warmth to you and your home for a long time.