If your radiator looks almost beyond saving, if the stains on it are themselves heavily stained and if it would look much more at home in a skip than in your home, you need Zinsser 123 Bulls Eye. Whilst Hammerite would be our choice when it comes to painting radiators, all of the paints mentioned in this article should do a great job for you. If you want a mix of durability and aesthetics then Hammerite seem like the obvious option. If having a squeaky clean white colour is more important then Ronseal’s radiator paint might suit you better.

Available in 13 subtle colours, your first – and possibly only – coat should be touch-dry within a couple of hours. If you judge a second coat necessary, leave at least three to four hours to ensure ideal conditions.One or two coats of Rust-Oleum will be ample to get your heat-throwers looking like new, and there’s no need to apply primer first as this paint has primer mixed in. This means you skip an entire stage of the painting process, but the trade-off is that it will take longer to dry. Depending on how much paint you use, the average job will be touch-dry in one to two hours and fully dry in eight. But if a second coat is required, you’ll need to wait a whole 16 hours before it’s ready. In total, then, Rust-Oleum recommends waiting seven days for true dryness. But, if you can wait, why not? If you’re looking for the best spray paint for radiators, we’d highly recommend Rust Oleum’s Radiator Enamel. This spray paint has been specifically formulated for use on radiators and is washable as well as moisture resistant.

If you’re the kind of person who a) doesn’t want to bother themselves with priming, and b) also has drying time in abundance, there’s a less labour-intensive route to radiator-painting perfection: Rust-Oleum’s Universal All Surface paint. Primer paint is also widely available in aerosol format. If that’s your tool of choice, you’ll want to pop on a mask and spray in upwards and downwards strokes at a distance of around 8in. Once fully coated, wait for the primer to dry completely. Most professional decorators just use the same paint as they’re using on the woodwork though with the most popular choice being Johnstone’s Aqua Guard satin. Are there elements of laziness here? More than likely. But it just goes to show that sometimes convenience beats quality in the decorating world. Okay, so you’re not that daft and you’ve let your radiators cool. Then, you’ve gone at it with a duster, removing as much dirt and dust as possible, and given it a good wipe down with a damp cloth to ensure every last dab of dirt and grease smear is removed. And just to be absolutely certain, you’ve dried it well and given it a good rub down with some sandpaper. Application can be done simply with a 1 or 2 inch brush and with very decent covering capability (I believe it goes further than any other paint in this article) painting is a breeze. On top of that, the paint becomes touch dry in around 30 minutes so if you do end up needing two coats, you won’t need to wait too long before you apply the second.And lastly, if you want to match your radiator colour with your woodwork then don’t be afraid to use a trade satin paint like Johnstone’s. It may not provide your radiator with added efficiency but it will certainly look great. Get Prices for a Professional Decorator Near You

To get the best finish, rub down the radiator with sandpaper and remove all dust and debris afterwards. Formulated to provide a heat-resistant brilliant white finish on radiators,Radiator Enamel prevents both yellowing and rust, and creates a tough, long-lasting finish. As it’s an aerosol, make sure ventilation is ample and, as there’s also a strong element of “spray ‘n’ pray”, ensure walls and floors are copiously covered in newspaper so that the fine mist of paint you’re generating doesn’t ruin your house and your day. One common issue with painting radiators is that the paint is rather thin and cheaper brands especially tend to formulate paint that results in drips and runs. Fortunately, Hammerite’s radiator paint has excellent adhesion and thus tends to avoid this issue. With that in mind, you should use either a one or two inch synthetic paint brush to paint your radiators along with a round tip brush to get into any awkward areas.

Frequently asked questions

Lots of people are unaware that radiator paint can not only restore the look of their radiators but the performance too. It’s for that reason, radiator paint is well worth the small investment. That done, prepare your space by moving any nearby furniture out of the way and banishing cats and dogs from the area. Put down old newspaper or cardboard on the floor to protect it from any errant drips and – importantly – open all the windows you can to avoid inhaling fumes from your paint. Right, you’re almost ready to roll. Is there a specific rule on how to paint a radiator?

So what makes this radiator paint so good? Whilst the end result is almost always fantastic, it’s the easy process which makes it possible that should get your attention. This paint can be applied directly to new, bare or previously painted radiators with minimal preparation and simply makes your life easier. Heat resistant to 190°C, higher than most radiator paints, it is self-priming, so you can paint straight on top of previously painted radiators or bare metal radiators - though we recommend a primer for a better finish. It is touch dry in 2-4 hours, and two coats will be needed if covering a previously white radiator, however, you will need to wait for another 12 hours in between coats.

Features

This spray paint goes on easily, covers evenly and doesn’t cost too much. A great spray paint for radiators. Our go-to brand at the moment is Hamilton and would thoroughly recommend them as they distribute paint very evenly and don’t typically leave any brush marks. How Good Is Radiator Paint? When it comes to the best radiator paint, it’s hard to look past Hammerite’s truly outstanding satin radiator paint. This paint has been specifically formulated for use on radiators and is brought to you by a brand that’s synonymous with metal paints. In short – if you’re looking for metal paints, you should turn to Hammerite. Well the job of radiator paint is to help the heat radiate (I know that sounds stupid). It just conducts the heat better than normal paint, so the radiators are just as efficient as when they were new. Fed up with white radiators and fancy a cool contemporary colour instead? Then this Anthracite Grey enamel satin paint is a good choice to give your radiator a modern twist.