Odorless paint for radiators: how and what to choose from?

No matter how high-quality and beautiful the coating of the heating radiators in your home is, sooner or later it will lose its shine and develop stains, scratches and other defects. There is only one way to get rid of these negative consequences - repaint the radiators. But here, as expected, the question arises: which odorless paint to choose? Finding the right answer requires an integrated approach. So, first, we suggest you understand the requirements that coloring substances for heating devices must meet, then find out what types of these substances can be used to update batteries, and finally, read reviews about them.

Aerosol paint

Recently, a large assortment of paints in spray cans has appeared.
This product is also sold for heating radiators. The principle of its selection is that you need to take into account the temperature regime. Without the appropriate experience, the process of applying paint for heating radiators in cans causes some difficulty. In reality, everything is very simple: it should be sprayed from a distance of at least 20 centimeters from the surface to be painted. In this case, the stream must be directed evenly, without lingering in one place for a long time.

The paint is applied in an aerosol package with a sprayer in several layers, which depends on the complexity of the battery’s relief. To get a uniform color, the direction of the jet needs to be changed. For example, if in the first pass there was a movement from bottom to top and top to bottom, then during the second pass the composition should be applied from left to right and vice versa.

Since at first, due to lack of skills, it will be difficult to control the movement of the hand with the spray can, you should cover a large area with newspapers or paper.

Types and differences

In addition to the above requirements, it is desirable that the paint for heating radiators does not smell strongly, or better yet, is odorless. Another wish is the durability of the coating. The normal appearance of the surface should be maintained for several years. Well, for sure - the color should not change over time. Not many compositions meet all these requirements and wishes.

Paints for heating radiators are made on different bases

Alkyd enamel

Alkyd enamel forms a durable, shiny film on the painted surface. If the surface has been properly prepared (cleaned, degreased and primed), a double layer of alkyd enamel will last for at least 4 years. These paints are made on different bases, which is why they have different properties:

• Based on organic solvents. This group has a characteristic smell. They have a wide range of applications, but you need to look for ones with a use temperature of at least +70°C. The base color is white; pigments are added to add colors and shades. A well-known representative is PF-115.
• Water-based acrylic alkyd enamel. The advantage of this type of paint is that there is almost no smell. When making a choice in this group, you must carefully read the scope of application. There are compositions that are in no way suitable for heating radiators, therefore the description should state that they can be used for metal. Do not forget also about the operating temperature. If you choose white paint, carefully read the composition - there should be no chalk there. This is a cheap pigment, but when heated it turns yellow very quickly. Titanium white is added to paints for heating radiators, which does not change color, but this pigment is expensive, which is why ready-made compositions are almost twice as expensive.

  
  Alkyd enamels are a good choice, but they have a persistent odor

• Organic silicone base is used for heat-resistant paints with a range of application up to +600°C. They can be used not only for pipes and radiators, but also for painting stoves.

The form of release of this type of paint is buckets or metal cans of different capacities. Packing is usually from 0.5 kg to 3 kg in cans, in buckets up to 25 kg, then packaged in barrels. This paint is applied with a brush, roller, some types can be applied with a spray gun.

In the group of alkyd enamels there is a very interesting option - hammer. It contains special coloring pigments that create various visual effects. The surface they paint looks like it has been beaten with a hammer (hence the name). This texture perfectly hides the imperfections of the painted surface. The resulting coating is very interesting.

Metal coated with hammer enamel

If you need to paint old cast iron radiators or pipes with an imperfect surface, this is your chance to do without putty and sanding. It is not possible to find pure white in this group, but there are light tones, although not in such quantities as saturated ones - the surface looks more interesting if the color is bright or deep.

Acrylic enamel

These are water-based compositions with polyacrylates as a film-forming component. They have virtually no odor, and even that disappears in a matter of hours. They are usually called “odorless radiator paints.” Despite this, when working indoors, after work it is necessary to ventilate it - this is, after all, chemicals, so harmful fumes are present, although not on the same scale as in solvent-based enamels.

These paints are used for painting facades or interior walls; there are also acrylic paints for painting. Naturally, they are not suitable for painting radiators. Look for acrylic paint for metal, and with a temperature range of at least +70°C.

What makes them convenient is that they are diluted simply with ordinary water, but after drying they do not wash off or get wet. The created film is very similar to a plastic surface, remains elastic, does not crack, and washes well. It is usually semi-gloss or matte.

Acrylic paint for heating radiators can be sold packaged in buckets or paints; at authorized sales points you can order any color from the RAL palette. They are tinted using special pigments.

What is the disadvantage of these paints? Like all water-based compounds, it requires careful surface preparation. First, you need to remove all the rust, then treat the surface with a rust converter, degrease, if necessary, repair any unevenness, and then prime it. Only after this can radiators or heating pipes be painted. If this is not done, rust will very soon appear through the paint layer.

Acrylic enamels are made on a water basis and they have almost no odor (This is PROFI VD-AK-1179)

There are acrylic enamels that do not need a primer, but all other preparation must be carried out in full. For example, acrylic water-based primer-paint Aquametallic (cost per 1 kg is about 250-350 rubles, depending on packaging). It is suitable for painting cast iron and ferrous metal, not used for painting non-ferrous metals or galvanized surfaces.

A good option is acrylic enamel PROFI VD-AK-1179. This option is glossy, has good coverage and adhesion. A primer is required for this coating. In general, the range of these paints is wide, there are a lot of them in stores.

Powder coating

This type is perhaps the most durable and damage-resistant at the moment, but its application requires the creation of certain conditions. You need a special gun for spraying the powder, a low-voltage power source, and the ability to heat the surface to high temperatures.

The coloring composition of these paints is powder. They need to evenly cover the surface to be painted. To do this, the powder is given a positive charge, and the part being painted is given a negative charge (for this, a current source is needed). After this, the paint is heated, as a result of which the powder polymerizes (sinters), forming a durable film.

The process of applying powder paint to a part, and then firing it until it polymerizes.

Powder paints are available with different polymerization temperatures - from +200°C to +350°C. As you understand, heating a cast iron battery to 200 degrees is not at all easy. This requires a camera. Therefore, this type of painting is practically never found at home. If you really want this particular paint for your heating radiators, you can contact a service station that specializes in painting cars. They do it using exactly this technology. You may be able to negotiate with them.

Oil paints

Most old batteries are painted with oil paints, but today it is completely unpopular - there are too many shortcomings. Firstly, the smell is very strong and does not disappear for a long time, and secondly, the paint cracks and, over time, changes color. With the availability of equally priced special paints for heating radiators, this choice becomes very rare. The only thing that is difficult is cleaning already painted old batteries, since the surface is usually cracked and applying another coating on top, even if it is compatible, does not make sense - it will still be ugly.

After a few years, oil paint begins to crack and fly off.

Spray paint

In recent years, many paints have appeared in aerosol packages - spray cans. There are such paints for heating radiators. The principle of choice here is similar: you need to pay attention to the temperature regime.

The process of applying such paint presents some difficulty without experience. In fact, everything is simple here: you need to spray from a distance of at least 20 cm from the surface to be painted, conduct the stream quickly, evenly, without stopping for a long time in one place.

You also need to be able to paint heating radiators with enamel in cans.

Spray paint is applied in several passes. You may need two, three, or maybe more layers, depending on the complexity of the terrain. To obtain a uniform color, the direction of the jet movement changes. If in the first passage they moved from top to bottom and from bottom to top, then in the second - from right to left and back.

One more thing: cover the place where you will work with paper or newspapers, and cover a fairly large area. At first it is difficult to control movements.

Powder dyes

With the help of such dyes, steel, bimetallic and aluminum batteries are painted under production conditions. For home painting, it is used very rarely due to the need for a special tool - a spray gun. Although some services rent out such equipment.

According to the technology, a negative charge is transferred to the cleaned part, and a positive charge to the powder paint. To do this, you need a diesel generator that produces current at a voltage of 25-30 kV with a power of a fraction of an ampere.

The potential difference allows the powder to be evenly sprayed over the entire surface to be painted. The next step is to polymerize the dye so that it becomes rigid. It is performed by heating the product to a certain temperature. Its range is from 170-200℃ to 350℃.

The lower temperature threshold can be created with a heat gun, but to pump up high temperatures you will need a furnace that will gradually warm up the product. Alternatively, you can use paint that polymerizes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Then in a closed room it is enough to turn on a special lamp for a specified time.

Be that as it may, such technology is difficult to implement at home. You may be able to have your radiator painted in an equipped auto repair shop.

Radiator paint

Now let's move on to paint types. Special paints for heating systems are alkyd and acrylic; there are also varieties of them - they are made on different bases.

Alkyd enamels

This group has a very wide range of shades, there is a smell, but not very strong, it disappears after a few hours. You can use them with confidence: they will not turn yellow or fade. But alkyd enamels for radiators come on different bases:

The manufacturer and its purpose must be indicated on the paint can.

Acrylic enamels

Acrylic enamels after drying resemble a plastic coating. The effect is complete: both in appearance and to the touch. This paint holds up very well and washes well. But there are several types, with different properties. They are water-based and virtually odorless. Also called “acrylate enamels”. But you need to look for heating systems designed for painting.

A good option is VD-AK-1179. But this paint must be applied to primed or previously painted metal. Drying time before applying the next layer is 2 hours, complete drying is 24 hours (the cost per liter jar is about 600 rubles).

There are a lot of manufacturers of paints for radiators and heating pipes

With a smell, but includes anti-corrosion additives “Thermakrill” from the ALP ENAMEL campaign. The declared temperature is up to +120 oC, has anti-corrosion properties, is suitable for painting any steel, including stainless, low-carbon and galvanized, aluminum and titanium alloys. Can be tinted in any shade. Drying time before applying the next layer at 20 oC is 20-30 minutes, complete drying is 2 days.

There are many other enamels of this class with different characteristics. Choose the option that suits you best.

Hammer enamels

This is a very interesting version of alkyd enamels, allowing you to achieve non-uniform coloring using only one paint. Depending on the type of pigment, the surface may have the appearance of embossing, hammering, and other effects. The heterogeneity of color hides defects and unevenness of the base very well. The preparation of the base is standard: removing rust, old paint, stripping to metal, degreasing to a “clean rag.” When applied to smooth and glossy surfaces, it is necessary to create a rough base (treat with sandpaper).

Hammer enamels give a very interesting effect that will hide many surface imperfections

Powder paints

This is a modern painting method that is used to paint aluminum, bimetallic and steel radiators. It is difficult to implement at home. It's a matter of technology. Powder paint is dry and sprayed from a special gun. It costs about $40-60, but you can find an organization that rents equipment.

The part to be painted (prepared and cleaned) is given a negative potential, while the powder is given a positive potential. To “charge” the part, a diesel engine is needed, which can produce fractions of an ampere at a voltage of 25-30 kV.

Due to the potential difference during spraying, the powder is evenly distributed over the surface of the part. The applied coating then requires polymerization: creating conditions under which the applied powder turns into a single, rigid coating.

Powder coating gives a durable and smooth finish, but it is a complex process

Most often, this condition is heating to certain temperatures. The heating temperature can vary from 170-200 oC to 350 oC. At a low polymerization temperature, heating the part with an ash gun may be enough, but at a high temperature, the part is placed in a special oven (a used one costs about $60), where it is gradually heated. There are also compositions that polymerize under ultraviolet radiation. Everything is simpler here: in a closed space they turn on an ultraviolet lamp and keep the part for a certain period of time.

In any case, it is quite difficult to create such conditions at home. If there is a need for powder coating, you can contact a specialized auto repair shop; maybe they have similar equipment and will agree to paint the radiators for you.

As you can see, the choice of colors is quite wide. The only type that is not recommended is oil paints. They, in fact, have already outlived their usefulness. But if you prefer them, you can use them.

Requirements for the coloring composition for radiators

Odorless enamel for heating radiators should:

1. Do not collapse when heated to high temperatures. The properties of the coating should not change.
2. Good adhesion to the base. The decorative layer should not peel off when heated.
3. Contain anti-corrosion additives. This is necessary so that the coloring agent does not cause rust.
4. Have a stable color. The main reason for painting is to give radiators an aesthetic appearance. White paint should not yellow over time.
5. Be abrasion resistant. The layer should not become thinner during cleaning or contact with different objects.
6. Does not contain toxic components. When heated, the decorative layer should not emit toxic fumes.

Acrylic paints

Acrylic paint compositions from the group of water-based dyes have many advantages

Among them, the following attracts particular attention:

• Safe and odorless. Such paints do not emit harmful substances and therefore do not pose a danger to humans and animals.
• Fast drying. One coat of paint dries within half an hour, provided that the room temperature is 18-23 degrees.
• Good moisture-repellent properties.
• Resistance of the coating to mechanical stress.

Acrylic dyes are an excellent option for painting heating devices, as they have appropriate technical and aesthetic characteristics. The appearance of a battery painted with an acrylic composition is a bit like plastic with a slight shine. The paint color is rich and bright. This option is ideal for answering the question of what paint to paint odorless radiators with.

Water-dispersion paints

Another popular coating option for radiators, the main advantage of which is its unconditional environmental safety. This advantage is provided by the composition of the paints: their main natural component is water, in which, in turn, special dispersed particles are dissolved, which also do not pose any danger to the human body. Such materials are odorless, dry very quickly and retain their aesthetic appearance for a long time. In the basic version, the compositions are white, but with the help of special pigments they can easily be given any other shades.

The paints are characterized by a water-repellent effect, thanks to which the batteries can be washed frequently without fear of deforming the coating.

Perhaps the only disadvantage of water-dispersion paints is their relatively low resistance to elevated temperatures, due to which they are less durable than other materials under consideration.

Features of battery coloring

In order for the paint on radiators to last a long time, it is necessary to carry out the painting procedure correctly.

Removing old coating and applying putty

Before painting radiators, preparatory measures should be carried out.

First you need to wash off the dirt from the surface, then clean the battery with fine sandpaper to remove all the paint that does not adhere firmly.

If, as a result, fragments of the coating remain on the surface, then the recesses between them must be coated with metal putty, wait until it dries and treat the radiator with sandpaper to achieve a perfectly smooth surface.

Surface priming

The next step is to apply a primer to improve the adhesion of the paint to the metal. Afterwards, the primer should dry for as long as indicated on the packaging.

Attention! When purchasing a primer, do not use one intended for wood or plaster.

Selection of brushes

At the last stage, painting is carried out. To achieve maximum effect, make sure to purchase the necessary tools:

• A straight brush is used to paint the outer surface of the battery. Another option is to use a roller or spray gun instead.
• Curved brush - it is convenient to work with the back surface and hard-to-reach places inside the radiator.

Photo 2. Special brush for painting heating radiators. It has a curved shape, which allows you to reach hard-to-reach places.

Dyeing process

The wall behind the radiator and the floor are covered with film, after which the enamel is applied with a curved brush to the internal parts of the structure and its rear surface. Next, paint the outer part with a straight brush, roller or spray gun.

Reference.

It is best to paint the battery in the summer, but if it needs to be done in the winter, then you should look for an indication on the paint packaging that it is suitable for painting hot radiators.

Applying a second layer

After applying the first layer, you must wait for the paint to dry for a certain time, which is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. The second layer is applied only to the outer surface of the radiator - this gives it a more aesthetic appearance.

Procedure for painting heating radiators

Just a few phrases about the most convenient order in which to paint heating radiators. To make the work easier, paint the inner surface first. If you are right-handed, it is better to move from right to left, if you are left-handed - vice versa. This way there is less chance of getting dirty. Then the outer surface is painted in the same direction.

Don't forget to cover everything around with newspapers or paper (and the floor too)

Apply the composition from above and rub it in up and down movements. Rub the paint thoroughly, without trying to immediately achieve a perfectly painted surface. After the first layer, slightly less colored areas are acceptable. It's much better than drips. They will close when applying the second layer, and drips will have to be cleaned off with sandpaper after they have completely dried.

Varieties

Products used to paint batteries come in different consistencies and are used to coat different metals. Many of them are used to cover the outside of radiators, and the rest - for the inside. Each type of paint has its own characteristics and qualities unique to it. So, it’s worth understanding the main types of coloring compositions.

Oily

Several years ago, oil paints were the most common means of painting radiator pipes.

Today no one uses such compositions anymore due to the following disadvantages:

• have a strong unpleasant odor;
• after a while they will turn yellow and crack.

Re-painting the radiator will still not give it its original appearance.

Acrylic

This paint contains so-called polyacrylate - a substance that forms a film. If you want a colorful product not to have a pungent odor, then a polyacrylate coating will be the best solution. Such products, for example, “Universal”, are often used in living rooms, as they have almost no odor. The main advantage of this choice is that acrylic paint can be diluted with plain water. After drying, it will not crack or wear off, and is easy to clean from dust. There are glossy and matte varieties of composition.

Powder

Products made from powder are considered the most resistant to mechanical stress and have a long service life. This radiator paint will have to be heated, after which it will polarize and a homogeneous substance will be obtained. The average polymerization temperature of such compositions is +200–350 degrees. These products are not used in homes due to the fact that the substrate will have to be heated for painting. Cars are painted in a similar way.

Alkyd

This paint option creates a film on the metal surface. It is highly durable and has a shine. If you properly prepare the surface of the battery, the alkyd coating can last up to five years.

Alkyd enamel contains various substances, so the characteristics of this paint often differ.

Paint based on organic thinners. This composition has an unpleasant odor and high heat resistance. The main color of this paint is white, however, by adding the desired dye, you can get any color. Alkyd enamel on water-based acrylic. The main advantage is the absence of strong odors

When purchasing such a composition, you should pay attention to the area of ​​application, since not all options are suitable for painting metal pipes Alkyd enamel on silicone. This paint option is of high quality, is rarely used and can withstand critical temperatures up to +600 degrees

This enamel can be used to paint absolutely everything - from batteries to stoves.

Attention! If you buy white enamel, then you should pay attention to the fact that the composition does not contain chalk. If the description on the package contains chalk, then such a composition will quickly deteriorate and turn yellow at elevated temperatures, so it is absolutely not suitable for coloring batteries

High-quality formulations contain titanium white. These paints are very reliable, but cost twice as much as regular paints.

Colorful products in cans

Over the past few years, the spray painting method has become very popular. To work with this paint you will not need any painting skills. When choosing such paint, you should also not forget about the degree of use.

Reasons for failure

A common reason for unsatisfactory painting results is failure to comply with the enamel drying conditions. It is risky to carry out work during the heating season, when the batteries can turn on and heat up. This common mistake usually ends in an unsightly result. High temperatures cause drying too quickly, weakening the resulting coating. Radiators can be painted at room temperature. Paints are resistant to temperatures up to 100 degrees Celsius, however this does not mean that they can be applied at such temperatures.

Conclusion Hiding old radiators behind heavy curtains or furniture is not a good idea. By hiding radiators behind curtains, we restrict the flow of heat, reducing heating efficiency. Old, cast iron, steel batteries can be quite effective, they are durable and reliable, so replacement is not always advisable. However, it is difficult to consider them as a decorative element of the interior. Modern means can correct an aesthetic defect - old radiators can be painted. In order to get a beautiful, durable end result, it is important to properly prepare the surface, choose the right way to paint the batteries, choosing a paint with good resistance to high temperatures.

What criteria must paint for heating radiators meet?

Compositions for painting radiators and heating pipes are somewhat different in their parameters from conventional paints, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with their main physical, technical and operational characteristics, which experts recommend paying special attention to

To paint heating radiators, it is recommended to use compositions specially designed for this purpose.

• First of all, the paint must be safe for the residents of the apartment or house, that is, it must not emit toxic fumes during the entire period of operation. Therefore, when purchasing, it is necessary to study the composition of the paint and its compliance with accepted standards and norms. Imported paint from European manufacturers, the brands of which are represented in a large assortment on the Russian market, must comply with European standards, and domestic products must comply with the standards of current GOSTs. If the packaging contains a link not to standards, but to some mysterious specifications (technical conditions), then this can be considered an “amateur activity” of the manufacturer, and it is better to immediately discard such paint - its compliance with safety standards is not guaranteed in any way.
• The heat resistance of the paint should not be lower than +80 degrees, otherwise it may crack, begin to peel off or turn yellow. Moreover, this indicator should be considered the minimum acceptable - it is better if it is even higher.
• It is desirable that the paint composition be quick-drying - this factor will significantly speed up the work, since the paint is usually applied in two layers.
• The anti-corrosion properties of the paint will protect the surface of the radiators from external aggressive influences. This is usually taken into account when producing compositions for coating metal surfaces.
• Some paints emit a strong, unpleasant odor before they completely harden - they can be chosen only for those rooms that can be thoroughly ventilated.
• Moisture resistance for radiator paint is necessary for unhindered wet cleaning using detergents.
• The thermal conductivity of the paint layer must be high enough, otherwise it will reduce the heat transfer from heating devices.

Popular brands of odorless battery paints

Almost all companies that produce such products offer paints that are suitable for painting radiators and batteries, performing protective and decorative functions.

Among alkyd enamels, the following brands are especially popular:

1. "Miranol";
2. "Malta 30";
3. "Jamaica 90";
4. "Dufa Heizkorperlack";
5. "Tex."

From the assortment of acrylic enamel the following are often purchased:

1. "Radiator Paint";
2. "VGT";
3. "VGT Profi";
4. "Jobi Termoaquaemail";
5. "Barbados";
6. "Colorika Aqua";
7. "Ceresit CF 33"
8. "Tikkurila";
9. "Euro Extra 20";
10. "Caparol Samtex 7 ELF".

Water-based paints are also in great demand:

1. "Tikkurila Thermal";
2. "Dulux Master Lux Aqua".

Of the oil types, the following brands are often preferred:

1. "Alpina Heizkorper".

These brands differ from each other in color, some properties and price. Each buyer can choose the product that will fully meet his requirements.

Is it possible to paint batteries during the heating season?

This issue worries many homeowners, and manufacturers, in turn, meet the demand and offer compositions that allow them to paint batteries during the heating season. Despite this, many experts, even those who sell enamels, unanimously advise against doing this. Without going into the details of metallurgy or chemistry, we will present two main reasons why it is better to postpone painting until spring:

1. Acrylic enamel dries very quickly. In conditions where the radiator is hot, it will dry right after the brush. This will not make it possible to apply a high-quality coating and repainting is coming in the spring.

2. All paints, except acrylic, emit an unpleasant odor. It intensifies many times over when the enamel is applied to a hot surface. Even if you open all the windows in the middle of winter, it will be difficult for you to stay indoors for a long time.

To ensure the quality of painting and the durability of the new layer, it would be better to wait until the heating season ends. The question is explained in more detail in the video:

How to paint a battery?

It is advisable to plan painting of heating radiators for the summer. It is preferable to carry out the work before the start of the heating season, otherwise you will need to temporarily turn off the heating system and wait until the battery cools down to room temperature. The radiator should not be too cold; the optimal temperature is in the range from +10 to + 30 °C.

1. The floor and surrounding objects should be covered and protected from splashes - ordinary newspapers are ideal.
2. Mix the paint thoroughly before starting work.
3. We cover the heating radiator with 2-3 layers of enamel, maintaining the required time interval each time (usually 4 hours).
4. Radiators can be coated with paint using a special flat soft brush, roller or sprayer.

Typically, flat brushes with a long handle are used. It is worth buying a special brush for painting batteries, which has a width of 26-63 millimeters.

When applying paint with a roller or brush, you need to make sure that the brushes do not lose their bristles when painting. It is important to avoid drips and uneven coverage. Radiators can be turned on after coating after approximately 24 hours. The exception is quick-drying varnishes.

Features of paint application

Applying one or another type of paint to radiators is not quite a simple job, as a person who is far from understanding the technology of painting work might think. After all, the reliability of the coating and its durability will depend on how correctly all the stages of painting were followed.

Preparatory stage

Painting with acrylic paint

Preparing radiators for painting is the most important and first stage, on which the final result largely depends. First, you need to thoroughly wash the heating device, using for this purpose a special spray bottle with washing liquid, a soft cloth and a brush. Even new batteries require preliminary preparation, since even the highest quality paints without their characteristic odor should lie smoothly and evenly on the surface. Next, you need to degrease the devices and also clean them with sandpaper to remove various irregularities on their surfaces and better adhesion to the paint.

Before applying the coloring composition, you should remove the old coating layer, and also treat areas susceptible to corrosion with special compounds.

Preparation of tools and materials

Before removing the old layer of paint and applying a new coating, you need to make sure you have the necessary tools and abrasives on hand:

• Tassels.
• Drill brush attachments.
• Sandpaper used to remove old paint.
• Degreasing composition.
• Primers with components to protect metal from corrosion.
• Abrasive - for removing thick layers of old coating.

Features of applying paint to radiators

Acrylic enamel for radiators

In order for the final result to be what you expect, you should not only choose the right paint, carry out all the preparatory work carefully, but also apply a new composition according to the rules:

All restoration and painting work should be carried out during a heating shutdown to avoid streaks and unsightly stains

It is important to apply paint from top to bottom so that any random drips that may appear do not spoil the already treated surface. Batteries must be completely covered, including the back and inside of them.

In order to paint hard-to-reach places, there are special battery brushes that have a curved shape. It is most effective to treat the device in two thin layers to avoid unevenness. But in this case it is necessary to wait until the first applied layer is completely dry. And only after this can the next layer of paint be applied. The aesthetics of the battery will depend on how carefully the paint, oil or any other, is used. For convenience, spray cans, special rollers and brushes are often used. It is recommended to start the process from the most inaccessible places, applying the composition evenly. If the technical parameters of the radiator allow it to be removed from its hinges and completely covered with paint, then this will be the best option.

When carrying out painting work in the summer, it is necessary to keep the windows open to protect yourself from the negative effects of coloring compounds. In addition, you need to use respirators and gloves so that after finishing work on painting batteries, you do not damage the skin of your hands with various solvents when scrubbing off paint stains.

Alkyd paints

There are three types of alkyd paints for radiators:

• organic;
• silicon-organic;
• aquatic.

Applying paint to batteries
All these compounds are moisture resistant and have an affordable price. The base color of the paint is white, but any coloring pigments can be added to it, so the color palette of the products is quite wide. According to manufacturers, alkyd compositions do not deform at temperatures up to 150 degrees. The only exception is light paints - they can begin to lose their original color already at temperatures above 100 degrees.

As for the smell, it occurs only during direct staining. The smell quickly disappears, so that after the radiators dry, not a trace remains of it.

Advice. If you like white alkyd paint, make sure that it contains not chalky, but titanium pigment: the first product, although it costs much less, can become noticeably yellow over time.

Surface preparation before painting

If the old paint remains intact, has no unevenness, and is laid in no more than three layers, it will be enough to go over the entire surface with fine-grained sandpaper. This will improve the adhesion of the new coat of paint to the surface. After this, the surface is degreased with gasoline or acetone. Everything is thoroughly cleaned again, and they move on to painting.

If the paint layer is old enough and has begun to deteriorate, you first need to clean the heating battery. It is necessary to remove all its layers until only metal remains. This can be done with sandpaper, a drill with a special attachment, or a special remover for fired paint.

After all the old coating has been removed, the remains are cleaned up. A drill with a cord brush is suitable for this. Next, thoroughly degrease the surfaces and cover them with a primer mixture. As a primer for heating systems, it is best to take the GF-021 brand. For the best protection, it is best to use mixtures designed for automobiles. But, by and large, you can use any metal product that has anti-corrosion properties. The batteries begin to be painted after the primer has completely dried.

Reasons for unsuccessful painting

After staining, the following defects may appear:

1. Peeling of coating. Occurs due to lack of surface priming. Special compounds improve the adhesion of paint to the base. In addition, they help get rid of small dust particles. Remaining fatty traces can also contribute to detachment. To eliminate the defect, clean the radiator, degrease and prime it.
2. Peeling and cracking. The main reason is a violation of surface preparation and painting technology. High air humidity, application of enamel in a thick layer, and improper preparation of the metal also contribute to cracking. In this case, the paint is removed, the base is cleaned again, and it is primed.
3. The appearance of wrinkles. Defects are discovered after applying a new layer on top of an undried previous one, using too viscous compositions, lowering the air temperature, or using an inappropriate thinner. The wrinkled coating must be removed and the radiator treated with enamel of the correct consistency.
4. The appearance of pores or bubbles. They arise due to the use of expired or low-quality paint, applying the product in a thick layer, or using wet brushes. The damaged coating is removed with an iron brush, coated with a primer, and dried. Apply a new layer of enamel using a dry instrument.
5. The appearance of streaks and streaks. The main reason is the use of a wet brush or thick paint. Also, streaks appear when applied in different directions, temperature changes, or poor mixing of the composition after adding color. In this case, the coating is removed, a primer is applied, and wait until it dries. The paint is applied in one direction with a dry brush. If there are small stripes, separate areas are cleaned. After this, they are painted with enamel of a suitable tone.
6. The appearance of rusty or dark spots. Such a defect is detected in the presence of fatty or resinous traces on the surface to be painted or improper distribution of the primer. The enamel in some places is absorbed less well, which is why dark spots appear. Damaged areas must be cleaned and treated with a degreaser. A new layer of enamel is applied.
7. Revealing of old coating. New paint can corrode the old layer and react with it. Because of this, the previous color appears from under the new one or mixes with it. To eliminate the defect, completely clean the metal from the coating and reapply the enamel.
8. Drips. They occur when using liquid enamel or applying a large amount of product. The drips are removed with sandpaper, and a thicker paint composition is used.

Choosing paint: which ones and why

When choosing a paint, pay attention to the label: it should contain the phrase “paint for heating radiators.” Sometimes it is written in large font, sometimes in small font in the “scope” section. If there is no such phrase, it is better to refrain from purchasing

If there is no such phrase, it is better to refrain from purchasing.

And one more thing: the manufacturer must be indicated. Some craftsmen copy the design of well-known companies almost identically. But, naturally, they “forget” to write the name of the company. If the manufacturer is not indicated, it is better not to buy paint. Otherwise, you risk getting a very persistent smell that lasts for weeks. Some people, after painting this way, saved themselves with a remover, which also does not smell like roses. They removed the recently applied layers, and only then did the smell go away.

Matte or glossy

Which paints are better for radiators: glossy or matte? There are two sides to this. On the one hand, when painting an imperfect surface with glossy paint (for example, a cast iron radiator), all the flaws “come out.” When they shine brightly, they become very noticeable. If you use matte, the appearance becomes better.

On an ideal surface it is better to use glossy or semi-gloss paints - they do not turn gray over time

But matte enamels turn grey. This happens because the surface is slightly porous (that’s why the coating is dull), and the pores become clogged with dust. That’s why it is usually recommended to use glossy or semi-gloss paint for radiators.

Paint for cast iron radiators

If you paint cast iron radiators of the MS-140 type with glossy enamel, all surface irregularities are visible: the shine enhances them even more. If you take a matte one, it will turn gray. Dead end? But no. There are several options for solving the problem. Choose the most suitable one:

• Paint with colored paint. In general, from a design point of view, white radiators look good only on white or very light walls. In all other cases, it is recommended to tint them to match the tone of the walls (or a couple of tones lighter/darker). So, if you don’t have white walls, you can paint a cast-iron radiator with colored matte paint, and not be afraid that it will turn gray over time. As one option, consider using hammer paint (see below): due to the resulting pattern, defects will not be visible. Read about decorators' recommendations for decorating radiators here.
• If you still need white paint, you can paint it matte, but accept the fact that in a couple of years you will have to repaint it.
• Another way is to level out the most noticeable holes using putty. Epoxy or polyester automotive putties are used for this. They are applied to cleaned, degreased and primed metal. After drying, sand it down, thoroughly clean the surface from dust with a dry, clean cloth, and then paint. In this case, even with gloss or semi-gloss, cast iron will look good. However, such processing will take a fair amount of time: a painstaking task. But the result is worth it.

Now paint for cast iron batteries will not be a problem for you - choose what you like best.

Paint for a cast iron battery is a difficult choice

Features of choosing paint for heating batteries

When purchasing paints for radiators, you need to consider the following characteristics:

• hiding power (the consumption of the product depends on this parameter);
• heat resistance (preservation of properties when heated);
• color stability;
• drying time.

The paint is selected in accordance with the material from which the heating system elements are made:

1. It is recommended to paint aluminum, steel and bimetallic products with acrylic or alkyd enamels. Water-based products are also suitable.
2. Cast iron batteries can be painted with any composition. However, the product must be distributed in a thin, uniform layer, so thick paint is mixed with a thinner.

You should avoid using oil paint, even if it is produced by a trusted manufacturer. This product does not perform the required decorative and protective functions; it smells unpleasant when heated.

What color enamel to paint a cast iron battery with: practical tips

To successfully eliminate problems with the choice of material for a cast iron heating radiator, it is proposed to use the following solutions:

• give preference to colored acrylic paint in a matte finish, the tonality of which is close to the shade of the covering of the walls of the room;
• choose hammer enamel for painting the radiator, the textured pattern of which allows you to level out almost all visual defects of the base;
• use white matte paint, annually updating the coating with a new layer to maintain presentability.

Another solution to the problem is the long and painstaking process of preliminary preparation of the base before painting. To do this, you need to carefully level the surface with putty, sand it and remove dust with a rag. Then you can paint the radiator with a glossy or semi-gloss version of heat-resistant enamel.