What paint to paint radiators on old paint. Is it possible to paint hot batteries with paint or enamel? Is it possible to paint hot cast iron batteries with paint

  • 27.06.2020

The process of painting a heating battery is often accompanied by the question of whether it is possible to paint the battery with acrylic paint. Can hot batteries be painted? What is the best paint and varnish for a heating radiator?

Painting a heat exchanger is often an indispensable part of a renovation, although it can be just a design move to bring bright colors into a home. They are also tinted and, as the current top painted layer wears out, or they are simply painted with patterns on top of the existing one. Regardless of the type and scope of work, it is better to approach the choice of means responsibly.

Selection criteria

There are quite a few requirements for all types of coatings for heating radiators. The paint product must be resistant to high temperatures, at a level of 90-100 ° C, serve as a metal protection against corrosion, fit well on the surface, not change color over time and be non-toxic. Modern hardware stores offer a wide selection of paints and emulsions of all possible colors and shades. Most people are accustomed to the fact that the heating radiator should be white, but some seek to turn such an ordinary item into an original interior detail. After all, this beautifully painted item can become a highlight, a harmonious detail of any, even the most elaborate interior.

Some experts believe that color affects performance. dark colors increase the heat transfer of the device, while light ones slightly lower it. Now the choice of coatings is very large: there are separate products specifically for radiators, you can also use various enamels, heat-resistant varnishes, water-based paints.

However, each type of coverage has its pros and cons. So before buying, you need to carefully analyze everything.

It is desirable that the heating be turned off at the time of painting work in order to avoid uneven drying of the surface, unevenly applied layer or loss of color. If for some reason this is not possible, you can use a coating that allows you to paint a warm surface.

acrylic enamel

The main advantage of acrylic enamel is a very high temperature resistance to yellowing, it is 100 ° C, in some - up to 120 ° C; at home, it will not turn yellow, as heating radiators they just don't get that hot. Their main operating mode is 40-60°C. Also, this enamel is considered quite resistant, which allows you to keep it for a long time. decorative look colored device. A plus in the piggy bank of positive characteristics acrylic coating is a fairly quick drying of the applied layer, 2-3 hours. More accurate information is usually indicated on the paint can.

Some are interested in the question of whether it is possible to paint hot batteries. Answer: acrylic product allows you to paint even warm radiators.


A feature of these enamels is that they are produced on organic solvents. So, during the staining process, a slight characteristic smell of the solvent is released, which, however, evaporates rather quickly. However, thanks to this component, the paint acquires a beautiful glossy sheen when it dries. But, having dried, the color can slightly change the shade. Acrylic usually darkens as it dries. This enamel has excellent mechanical resistance, UV resistance and impermeability to steam. In addition, they are endowed with water-repellent abilities and are resistant to cold after complete solidification.

In addition to glossy, there are matte and semi-gloss acrylic products.

They are diluted with water, but when dried, as can be seen from the names, they do not acquire a characteristic sheen. Often these products cost more than glossy enamel, but they better hide dents and other small surface defects that appear when coated with glossy paint. It takes about 10 hours to completely dry the battery, painted with acrylic emulsion.

So if you decide to paint the batteries with acrylic paint, choose which option suits you best and paint.

1.
2.
3.

An integral role in the arrangement of any living space invariably plays such an important communication as the heating system. The devices that are part of it can not only heat the air in the room, but also be part of the interior, while a well-designed radiator will become a real decoration of any living area.

However, old batteries with peeling paint are unlikely to be able to decorate the house in any way, so the owners find a solution to this problem in replacing old equipment with new ones. This method is quite effective, but also very expensive. Therefore, it will become a much more reasonable solution in terms of savings.

It should be noted that in the process of deciding what paint to paint the radiators with, you should opt for special formulations designed specifically for such structures. Their use will protect the surface of the radiator from the appearance of corrosion on it and provide the unit with an aesthetic appearance. If earlier it was customary to cover the functional parts of the heating exclusively with white compositions, today the materials for painting have a variety of shades, so choosing the option that will best suit the interior of the room being equipped will not be difficult.

What determines the choice of paint for batteries

To figure out which paint is best for painting batteries, it should be remembered that the quality of the composition used directly depends on the final result of the work.

The special requirements for paint for heating appliances include the following:
  • resistance to high temperatures (at least 100 ° C);
  • resistance to aggressive environment;
  • wear resistance;
  • the absence of any harmful substances emitted.
To decide how to paint heating batteries, you should study all the varieties of compositions used for these purposes.

These include:

  1. Acrylic based enamels. Their manufacture is carried out using solvents of organic origin, as a result of which, during their drying, a characteristic and not very pleasant smell arises. However, such paints have a glossy sheen that will not disappear even after many years of operation.
  2. Alkyd type enamels. Such compositions are very resistant to high temperature effects and are wear-resistant. In addition, you can always choose the desired shade, as these paints are available in a rich color scheme. The main disadvantage of these enamels is bad smell, which not only keeps after a few days immediately after painting works, but it may also appear again when the radiator is strongly heated.
  3. Water based paints. This option is considered optimal among consumers, since such an odorless battery paint dries very quickly (more details: ""). However, when choosing such a composition, it is very important to pay attention to its packaging, which must contain information about the possibility of applying such paint to the elements. heating system. High-quality paint for odorless radiators cannot be cheap.
Thus, we can say that the only paint for an odorless battery is water-dispersion, so it is on this material that special attention should be paid.

Oil-based paint is less often used today, as such a composition has outlived its usefulness over time and has given way to more modern paint and varnish products.

Preparation before painting radiators

It is important not only to decide which paint is better to paint the batteries, but also to carefully prepare the desired surface for processing. Wherein important fact is that themselves preparations take much more time than the process itself.

The procedure should be as follows:

  1. The surface of the radiator must be thoroughly cleaned by removing from it old paint and cleaned the places with manifested rust. Dust and dirt should also be removed with a cloth.
  2. Next, you need to apply a solution to the battery that washes off the old coating, and then cover it with a film to soften it. Further, the paint can be easily removed with a construction spatula or a grinder equipped (read: "How and how to remove paint from a radiator - tools for removing old paint before painting a radiator").
  3. After that, the already cleaned surface is sanded with sandpaper and degreased with any solution with a small amount of alkali.
  4. A primer with anti-corrosion properties is applied to the already cleaned surface, which not only prevents the appearance of harmful formations, but also increases the adhesive properties of the paint. It is best to use an alkyd primer for these purposes.
In the process of choosing which paint to paint batteries with, you need to remember that the modern construction market offers a wide range of these products, which already include a primer and a plaque-removing solution. The special convenience of such mixtures lies in the fact that they can be applied immediately without carrying out all of the above manipulations with the battery.

Radiator painting process

Having finally decided on what paint to paint the radiators with, all actions should be performed in accordance with the following order:
  1. Initially, you need to protect the floor from contamination by laying it so that paint stains do not fall on it. For these purposes, unnecessary paper (for example, old wallpaper) or fabric is perfect.
  2. Then you should choose brushes with soft bristles. At the same time, one of them should have a straight shape, and the other should be curved in order to be able to apply paint to the most inaccessible parts of the radiator.
  3. Apply the coloring composition first at the top of the battery, gradually moving towards its bottom. At the same time, do not forget that you need to paint all areas of the radiator, starting from the inner floors and ending with the outer ones. This is done in this order so as not to accidentally stain your clothes or hands. After the first layer of the composition dries, you need to apply the second. Experienced craftsmen recommend: no matter what paint to paint cast-iron batteries or batteries from another material, it will be much more correct to apply two thin layers than one thick one, since it is in the first case that it will be possible to ensure a uniform coating of paint. See also: "".
The painting itself can be done directly with a special spray can or with a spray gun.
By performing all the above steps in exactly this sequence, it will be possible to achieve a perfectly even and smooth surface of the radiator, and the applied paint itself will last a very long time (read also: ""). The main thing is to choose the right composition that will be most suitable for a particular heating battery.

If necessary, you can always study various photos color options for these devices, so that the best way choose the color you want.

Tips for painting radiators on video:

During the operation of the heating system, it may be necessary to paint the batteries. The quality of the work performed determines the appearance and durability of the heater. Therefore, it is important for users to know how to paint a heating radiator with their own hands.

Paint selection

Taking into account the specific operating conditions of radiators, the following special requirements are imposed on the paintwork:

  • high temperature resistance. The coating must be designed for continuous operation at a temperature of 80-90 degrees;
  • color stability. The coating must retain its original color for a long period;
  • high protective qualities. It is necessary to choose paints that provide effective protection from corrosion;
  • good adhesion. The paint should fit well on the metal surface and not peel off during the operation of the radiator;
  • high strength and wear resistance of the created coating;
  • security. When heated, the coating should not release toxic substances and foreign odors into the air.

Best of all, modern acrylic paints meet all these requirements.

Coloring technology

Before you paint the heating battery, it must be cleaned of the old coating. This can be done manually with a metal brush. You can also use a grinder with special attachments. Another option is to use special chemicals. For example, it is convenient to use aerosols, under the influence of which the old paint peels off easily. After removing the paint, it is also necessary to get rid of rust, dirt, and thoroughly degrease the surface.

The cleaned surface must be carefully primed. For this, a primer recommended for use in conjunction with the selected paint is selected.

After that, you can proceed directly to staining. At least two brushes are used. One, ordinary, brush is used for painting external surfaces. The second brush should have a long, curved handle. It easily penetrates into hard-to-reach places, so it is convenient for her to paint inside the radiator fins. Before use, you need to fluff the bristles of the brushes, which will get rid of loose hairs. Coloring is done first internal surfaces and then external. In this case, staining is done from top to bottom, which helps prevent the formation of streaks and drops. The radiator needs to be painted in two layers. In this case, the second layer is applied only after the first has completely dried.

Painting of bimetallic and aluminum radiators

Available already with paint finish. It is applied by powder coating in the factory. Such a coating is characterized by high protective properties, mechanical strength, wear resistance, and temperature resistance. Due to this, these radiators do not require painting during operation.

The exception is the cases mechanical damage radiator coatings during transportation, installation, operation. To remove chips and scratches, you can use automotive putty. Painting damaged areas is also best done with car enamel, the quality of which is comparable to the quality of the “native” coating. For application, it is convenient to use aerosol cans. It should be borne in mind that car enamel dries better and faster on hot radiators.

If you need to completely repaint aluminum or bimetallic battery, then this does not require the removal of the old coating. The surface must be degreased and coated with a primer. After that, with a spray gun, you need to apply paint of the corresponding color in two layers. Water-based or alkyd paint is best suited.

Mechanical damage, natural wear of the paintwork, repair work and the addition of new elements to the system - all this leads to the fact that the radiators in our homes lose their appearance. It is usually impractical to make a complete replacement of heating devices - this is a very energy-intensive and financially costly process. For a budget update, heating batteries resort to staining.

To ensure that the result does not disappoint, it is important to choose the right paint, and then, before applying a new coating, carefully prepare the surface. Wrong choice of paint, poor-quality preparation, most often ends with the fact that the coating wears out quickly, and the battery needs to be updated again.

Main selection criteria:

  • Safety - the absence of hazardous components in the composition of the paint that evaporate when heated.
  • Heat resistance - the paint must be resistant to thermal stress (80-90 ° C).
  • Resistance to fading and mechanical abrasion determines how long the coating will not require updating.
  • Adhesiveness - in other words, the ability of the composition of paintwork materials to adhere strongly to the surface.
  • Anti-corrosion properties of the paintwork, i.e. the presence of substances in the composition of the paint that save the radiator from rusting.

Note! good remedy to cover radiators must meet all of the above criteria. Only a stable, safe, easy-to-use product can provide not only external attractiveness for a long time, but also keep radiators in working order.

Before painting, it is important to make sure that the paint composition is specifically designed for painting radiators. The purpose of the paint is noted when marking. But if for some reason this information is missing, you need to choose heat-resistant dyes.

The composition distinguishes: alkyd, oil and water-based paints:

  • Oil paints dry for a long time, emit a strong odor during painting and drying, quickly wear off, crack under the influence of high temperatures, poorly protect against corrosion, and they are not recommended for painting batteries. Low price, cannot smooth out all the disadvantages when working with oil paints.
  • Water-dispersion paint is safe, low cost and fast drying. However, this type of coating is short-lived and resistant to abrasion, therefore, such a coating will need to be updated quite often. Acrylic paint also belongs to the dyes of this group, which is distinguished by resistance to temperature extremes, strength in relation to mechanical stress. It is durable, retains an attractive appearance for a long time, does not fade for a long time. Via acrylic paints a durable coating is created that has a juicy bright color, resembling plastic with a slightly shiny sheen.
  • Alkyd paint is suitable in all respects for use as a coating for radiators: it has a uniform composition and is highly resistant to abrasion. Part alkyd paints includes substances that resist corrosion processes. One of interesting views alkyd - hammer paint. With its help, a coating is created that distinguishes an uneven surface, resembling chasing in appearance, this allows you to hide irregularities and gives originality. However, the alkyd coating, with all the pluses, has a persistent unpleasant odor that disappears for a long time, and sometimes, when the batteries are strongly heated, it appears even after complete drying. The paint dries very slowly and is best used only where available. good ventilation. In addition, the paint does not retain color well, and eventually begins to turn yellow.

Note! When choosing alkyd paints, it is better to prefer a glossy finish, in comparison with a matte one, it is able to maintain approximately 20% longer color shade and do not give yellowness.

  • Among other types of paint and varnish coatings that are suitable for painting radiators are dyes based on silicate resins and aluminum. If we discard the only drawback - a strong pungent odor that they emit during the staining and drying process, then this is one of the most stable types of coatings that have excellent adhesion: no primer is required for painting, since the paint itself provides a strong adhesion of the composition to the surface.
  • Serebryanka - a mixture of aluminum powder with varnish - is another type of coating that is often used for painting batteries, it can be applied both to the primer and to the old paint due to its high adhesiveness.

Often, residents of apartments and private houses ask themselves the question: "Is it possible to paint hot batteries?". The answer is quite simple - it is possible, however, not all coloring compositions available on the market are suitable for this.

What tools and materials are needed for work

Not always and not everyone has the opportunity to change batteries. A universal way out of this situation will be painting the radiators in any color you like. To work, you do not need to have certain skills, but you will need to purchase some materials and stock up on tools. The purchased paint must be resistant to high temperatures. This property is required because winter time The radiators of the heating system become hot and become very hot.

In addition, the composition must retain its original color for a long period of time. Enough an important factor it is also considered that the paint has no smell, so that after work it is not necessary to ventilate the living quarters. Before you learn how to paint, you need to figure out the paints that are suitable for this. So, in stores you can always find acrylic compositions. They are distinguished by the absence of a pungent odor and the ability to retain their color for quite a long time.

Another suitable composition is alkyd mixtures. They are resistant to high temperatures. Because of this, they are most often used to work with hot batteries. Among the minuses, the presence of a pungent odor stands out, so residents will still have to ventilate the premises.

Oil formulations are also often found in stores, but not many people buy them. This is due to the emergence of safer formulations of the first two types. All of these paints work in one way or another. Painting radiators with your own hands using these materials will give a positive result if you follow the operating instructions and dilute the paint with a solvent in the proportion indicated by the manufacturer.

To quickly complete the work and not be distracted, you will need to stock up on the necessary equipment. So, you will need:

  • fine-grained sandpaper;
  • a knife or other sharp object for cleaning radiators;
  • several brushes of different shapes:
  • small roller;
  • old rags.

With everything you need at hand, you can get to work. It is very important to stock up on rubber gloves and a protective mask, which will help protect the skin from stains and the respiratory tract from fumes.

Preparation and painting - we study the algorithm

Before you paint the heating battery with your own hands, study the plan for the upcoming work. Like all other repair activities, battery upgrades begin with preparation. First, you need to clean their surface from dust and stains. Also check the radiators for signs of corrosion. After cleaning the battery, wipe it with a damp towel. Once the radiators are dry, a thin layer of primer should be applied to their surface. However, be careful - often some modern compositions do not require preliminary surface preparation.

If there are old stains on the surface of the battery that cannot be washed off with ordinary water, then you can try to wipe them off with a special solution. To prepare it, take:

  • 1 kg of soda ash;
  • 1 kg of slaked lime;
  • 5 liters of water;
  • large bowl for mixing.

Pour into the basin first hot water and dilute soda in it. After that, gradually add lime to the mixture, stirring regularly. As a rule, this mixture quickly copes with even the oldest stains. After cleaning, you will need to prepare a place to work. To do this, cover the place under the batteries with old newspapers. Behind the radiator, install a piece of thick cardboard so as not to stain the walls. Apply paint to the surface of the batteries with a brush, moving the tool from top to bottom. Thus, when working on the radiators, there will be no drips. Try to keep the paint layer even and thin. Next, apply a few more layers of the composition to the painted batteries.

The second upgrade method is to remove the batteries

There is another way to change appearance batteries. It is more time consuming, because you have to completely remove the radiators. However, as a result, you will be much better at cleaning the batteries from rust and dirt. First you need to reset the heating risers. After that, you will need to completely unscrew all the through and blind plugs, as well as remove the jumpers. Next, you need to anneal the battery (heat and hold at a high temperature) using a powerful household hair dryer. Then we disassemble the radiator into sections, using for this special key. Don't forget to tap the radiators with a mallet to remove any rust. After that, the sections are cleaned with a metal brush.

In the next step, assemble the battery again using ordinary rubber gaskets. In this case, the size of the outer part should be slightly smaller than the end of each section. After that, install and connect the radiator to the heating network. Apply a primer to the surface of a clean battery and start painting. The algorithm of work is almost the same. The only difference is that the batteries will not be as hot as in the first case. Because of this, they will dry a little longer. Often, residents of houses paint radiators immediately after they are dismantled. In this case, it is possible to paint the surface both in front and behind the battery. In addition, there is no risk of staining the wall behind the radiator.

Radiator Painting Tips - Let's Hear the Experts

Many owners of apartments and private houses ignore the experience of specialists, trying to do everything on their own. As a result, the paint on the radiators cracks very quickly and falls off in whole pieces. To prevent this from happening to you, we advise you to study the recommendations on whether and how to properly paint hot radiators. Experts advise not to rush when working. Try to apply the paint so that there are no streaks on the surface. It is better to remove the excess parts of the composition in a timely manner or smear them over the battery.

To evenly apply the paint to the back of the radiator, you must use a curved brush designed specifically for painting. hard-to-reach places. In the process of cleaning batteries with lime and soda, experts advise using a mask and protective gloves. In order for the residents of the house not to suffer, it is necessary to ventilate the premises in which the work was carried out. Many experts advise using the decoupage of radiators, which is very popular today. After work, your batteries will look very stylish. In this case, you will not spend much on updating.

For work you will need:

  • white matte paint;
  • acrylic paints;
  • decoupage paper with a pattern;
  • varnish with increased heat resistance;
  • PVA glue.

To upgrade batteries, clean them. Then apply a thin layer of white matte paint. It will take at least 20 hours to dry. As soon as the composition dries, you can begin to glue the paper. After pasting, you can finish your elements - make a background or create an original drawing. At the end, it remains to apply a thin layer of heat-resistant varnish.