Paint for painting hot pipes and radiators. Painting heating radiators: types of enamels and application recommendations

It is very difficult to find a person who has never held a brush in his hands. Therefore, many people do not think about how to paint a battery, believing that there is nothing special in this process. In fact, without some attention, the radiator will become the same as before the repair: rusty, with peeling and swollen paint. This is why many are forced to update the appearance of heating elements almost every year, instead of learning how to paint the battery correctly. But then you can return to this task no more often than once every five years or even ten.

Which batteries can and should be painted?

Traditionally, any painted radiators need updating, especially cast iron ones, as the paint on them begins to chip off over time, and rust appears in exposed areas. It not only stains curtains, but also destroys equipment.

Painting heating radiators - Photo 1

New-style aluminum or factory-enameled steel batteries are usually not painted, especially because you don’t like the color or want to change it. Otherwise, their appearance will be spoiled, and the heat transfer from them will be significantly reduced. Therefore, it is better to disguise them with a suitable decorative screen.

Review of paints for radiators

The most common options are enamel paints . They can be acrylic or alkyd. The first ones were created using organic solvents. They allow you to create a beautiful, glossy finish. The latter are very durable, easy to clean, and practically indestructible. Alkyd enamels also have a huge advantage - a wide range of colors. Their disadvantage is that they include white spirit, which has a strong odor.

Traditional paints and varnishes containing harmful substances are gradually being phased out. Although they are quite effective - they give a long-lasting color, are applied evenly and are durable. In addition, the cost of such materials is affordable.

However, they can be replaced with more environmentally friendly materials - the same water-soluble paints . They are absolutely safe, dry quickly, apply smoothly and do not emit carcinogens. However, when purchasing, you should be careful - not all such products are suitable for use, since water causes metal corrosion. It is better to choose acrylic-based paints, keeping in mind that radiators will still require careful surface preparation. The disadvantage of these materials is also that they are not wash-resistant and can stain the curtains.

Fast surface preparation

When choosing what paint to paint batteries with, you should keep in mind that their preparation will be different in each case. Also, a lot depends on what kind of result you want to get in the end: to refresh the surface or give the radiator the appearance of a new factory product.

Preparing the battery for painting - Photo 2

First you need to clean all surfaces from dust, dirt, and cobwebs. If you are short on time and want to complete the procedure faster, then it is enough to clean off the loose paint with a spatula, sand the uneven areas and remove the rust with sandpaper. Next, all the resulting recesses should be treated with a primer that protects the metal from corrosion and puttied. All these steps are carried out for painting with enamel.

To prepare the surface for acrylic paint, you need to completely coat the radiator with an adhesive primer and let it dry. Otherwise, the metal will quickly begin to rust.

Careful surface preparation

In this case, the remaining paint is completely removed. This is done like this:

the radiator is heated using a gas burner;
then large pieces of paint are chipped off with a spatula;
the surface is thoroughly cleaned with sandpaper, or better yet, with a drill with an iron brush attachment.

After these procedures, the radiator is wiped with a damp cloth in order to degrease and remove dust. If you paint it properly after this procedure, it will definitely look like new.

By the way, in order for it to work as if it had just been brought from the factory, an additional procedure must be performed. Namely: you need to remove it, drain the water, heat it up very much, let it cool, then disassemble it and clean it of accumulated debris and rust inside. Then, carefully assemble it back, using rubber cut from ordinary tires as spacers.

Painting

Now let's look at how to actually paint the battery. First of all, you need to dilute the paint to 1% kefir. That is, very liquid, but not watery, but so that the brush can be pulled at least 30-40 cm at a time. Next, you need to carefully apply the first layer, starting from the inside of the battery.

After this, you need to wait a day or in some cases 7-8 hours, depending on the quality of the product. Then you need to paint the radiator again in the same way. By the way, the second layer of acrylic paint (if you use it) can be applied immediately, without waiting for it to dry.

Is it possible to paint hot batteries?

Many professionals do not recommend painting radiators at the height of the heating season. However, using alkyd enamel, resistant to high temperatures, or sprays, it is quite possible to paint hot batteries. You just need to do this carefully, carefully and quickly, so as not to get burned and so that the paint lays evenly. The latter is quite difficult to do, since on a hot surface from 50°C it dries almost instantly.

Option for painting a heating radiator - Photo 3

If you doubt that you can quickly and accurately complete the procedure, it is better to wait until the end of the heating season. Or, if time is running out, do not immediately paint hot batteries, but first turn on the heated water supply to them. Moreover, if you cannot do this yourself, you can contact the Housing Office.

In order not to stain the flooring, baseboards and wallpaper on the walls during work, it is necessary to carefully isolate the areas using film, which it is advisable to attach pointwise with stationery tape so that it does not move. Newspapers are worse in this regard - they tear in the process when paint gets on them.

Painting the battery - Photo 4

If there is a need to paint the battery more thoroughly, then it is better to remove it, since otherwise this will not be possible. If it is not possible to do this, then you need to start painting from the inside, where access is difficult, so the likelihood of getting dirty is reduced.

If you have never used paint, keep in mind that at first you will do it very slowly, you will be uncomfortable, everything will get in the way. Such is the specificity of this matter. Therefore, beginners should not paint hot batteries, since with a 90% probability the result will not be very good: stains, drips may remain, and the enamel will lie unevenly.

How to paint a heating radiator: recommendations and photos

Which batteries can be painted?

It’s worth clarifying right away that painting heating radiators is not possible in all cases. First of all, it is advisable to perform this operation for cast iron radiators, a thick and uneven layer of paint on which not only spoils the exterior of the battery, but also greatly impairs the quality of heat transfer. The second type of batteries that can and should be painted are convectors, made in the form of a bent riser pipe with fins pressed onto it.

If you own modern models of radiators with aluminum sections, then it is better to abandon the idea of painting. Of course, you can paint it, but you will have to apply many layers of paint, and you are unlikely to achieve the expected effect. The fact is that the battery is painted with a brush, and this method is by definition worse than the factory one, so it is better to leave new battery models alone and, if necessary, cover it with a decorative screen.

How to paint a heating radiator: choosing paint and tools

Before you begin the main stage of work, you need to prepare. First, let's prepare soft brushes, which should be small in size and of two types - straight and curved. The straight brush is intended for painting external, easily accessible areas, and the curved brush is for painting the rear and internal surfaces of the radiator.

Which paint to choose

The main role in this work is played by paint for radiators, which can be of the following types:

water-dispersed;
alkyd;
acrylic;
oil

Any paint for heating radiators must be resistant to abrasion, withstand high temperatures (up to 100 degrees) and not release toxic compounds when heated. According to these parameters, the above options differ significantly from each other. For example, water-dispersion paints do not have an unpleasant odor and dry quickly, but this type of coating is less resistant to abrasion than others, meaning it will have to be renewed more often.

Acrylic paint contains a chemical solvent, so when used, an unpleasant odor is released, which takes a long time to ventilate from the room. The advantages of this coating are high abrasion resistance and an attractive glossy appearance.

Alkyd paint for radiators also has an unpleasant odor, but is in high consumer demand due to its high abrasion resistance and a huge range of shades. In addition, the smell from modern building materials is not so strong.

As for oil paint, it is being used less and less as a coating for radiators and pipes. The reason for this is the unpleasant odor, long drying time and difficulty in applying an even layer.

How to paint radiators is up to you, but it is best to use alkyd paints from well-known manufacturers. You just need to choose the appropriate coating color.

What paint to paint radiators video

How to paint radiators: preparatory stage

So, the materials have been selected. Now you can move on to the preparatory stage. Old cast iron radiators may have chipped paint and many layers on top of them, so you need to completely clean the radiator from the old paint to the metal. This operation can be performed using a hair dryer, which melts the old paint with a stream of hot air, after which it can be removed using a spatula.

If you don’t have a hairdryer at hand, you can use an alternative option - a washing solution. This solution is applied to the entire surface of the radiator, after which the heating device is covered with a film. After the washing solution has been in action for an hour, the paint can be removed using a spatula.

The main layer of paint has been removed, now we clean the battery from its remnants using fine sandpaper or a special wire attachment for a screwdriver. Then degrease the surface of the radiator using a rag soaked in a special solution, such as white spirit. The final stage is to coat the radiator with an anti-corrosion primer; it will protect the radiator from corrosion, but will also improve the adhesion of the paint to the surface.

Removing old paint from a cast iron radiator: video instructions

Painting a radiator: basic rules

It’s worth clarifying right away that painting the batteries should be done with the heating turned off. This limitation is due to the fact that paint dries very quickly on a hot surface, which can lead to an uneven coating layer and the formation of smudges.

Before painting the heating radiator, place an oilcloth or rag under it, which will protect the floors from paint getting on the floor. Start painting the radiator from hard-to-reach parts with a curved brush, and cover the front side with paint at the last moment. This approach will allow you not to smear the newly applied layer of paint, and your hands will remain clean.

In order for the radiator paint to lay flat, it must be applied in two thin layers. To apply the second layer, you need to wait until the first one has completely dried.

How to paint a battery video instructions

Possible problems when painting

When implementing each stage of work, unexpected difficulties may arise - the paint does not apply evenly or the old coating is not removed. In order not to spoil the materials, you can pause work, wait for complete drying and start again by cleaning and degreasing the surface.

You can find out what paint to paint heating radiators from consultants in a specialized store; they will help you decide on a specific brand that is most popular among customers.

To avoid additional difficulties, pay attention to the video instructions, where experts will help you study the painting algorithm in detail and follow the detailed steps.

Bottom line

Painting radiators plays an important role, since this heating element attracts attention and is a subject of interior design and design. Using the above tips, you can ensure that an old cast-iron battery after treatment will look no worse than a new one, and the coating will last for many years.

When, for various reasons, it is not possible to replace old cast-iron radiators or your new aluminum radiators sharply contrast with the interior of the room, then the first thing that comes to mind is to install a decorative screen. But if you have the time and desire, then there is a more practical solution - to repaint the heating devices in any desired color. However, a whole series of questions arise here: how to paint a heating radiator, what paint to choose, and the like. Our article aims to answer all these questions.

Work order and paint selection

In essence, the entire process of changing the appearance of radiators by painting can be divided into the following stages:

choice of coloring composition;
preparatory work;
painting;
drying.

Among the many existing paints and enamels, the following heat-resistant compositions are suitable for application to heating devices:

acrylic based;
alkyd based;
based on heat-resistant varnish with the addition of aluminum, bronze or other powder;
based on silicone resin.

Answering the question whether it is possible to paint with water-based paint, we note that it is not only possible, but has also become very popular. Water-based compositions with acrylic polymer are modern, odorless paints that have the properties of not fading for a long time. They can be given any color by adding the appropriate pigment to the base enamel. When choosing, you need to pay attention to the thermal resistance of the coating. Acrylic paint for radiators is designed for an operating temperature of 80 ºС.

Alkyd compositions are produced on the basis of organic solvents, the strength of their coating is higher than that of acrylic ones. But practice shows that you should not choose alkyd enamel if you plan to paint it white or light colors. The fact is that such coatings quickly turn yellow, reducing all your efforts to zero. You can paint batteries with alkyd compounds, but it is advisable to choose dark colors.

A little about what paint is used to coat cast iron radiators to give them an aesthetic appearance. Most often, two-component compositions are used for this purpose, where heat-resistant varnish is mixed with powder of a certain color (silver, bronze, gold). They are inexpensive, apply well to the surface and are durable. The same can be said about silicone coatings, only the enamels for their application are very expensive.

To update the appearance of radiators, you can also use compounds sold in aerosol cans. They have a very wide range of colors and significantly speed up the painting process.

Preparatory stage

Without properly completed preparatory work, high-quality painting is impossible. Therefore, they should be taken seriously. So, before painting the batteries you need to perform the following operations:

Preparing tools and work area.
Removing old paint and rust.
Cleaning and degreasing.
Padding.

Of course, it is most convenient to create a beautiful coating on dismantled radiators. When they are connected to the heating system using American or special kits, dismantling the heaters will not be a problem. In other cases, it is imperative to protect walls and floors from contamination by laying thick plastic film or other material. You should also prepare tools and materials to perform the work in advance.

How to clean a battery from old paint

There are two methods to clean batteries from old paint: mechanically and using chemical reagents. Mechanically, the old coating is cleaned off with metal brushes, coarse sandpaper, as well as various attachments for an electric drill or angle grinder.

This method is very labor-intensive and requires a lot of time and patience, especially when cleaning the internal surfaces and fins of cast iron radiators. Construction chemical removers, designed to remove old paint from a battery or any other surface, greatly simplify the matter. The remover can be purchased at any hardware store; as a rule, it is packaged in glass containers.

Attention! When using a construction remover, you need to ensure ventilation in the house and be sure to wear a respirator.

A small amount of liquid is poured into a wide plastic cuvette, after which it is carefully applied with a brush to all surfaces of the battery. After waiting the period of time specified in the instructions on the package and noting that the old coating is wrinkled and peeling off, you should remove the paint from all surfaces of the heating device. A metal spatula of medium width is suitable; it is convenient for scraping off a thick layer and removing old coating in corners and at the joints of sections. A metal brush will help with final cleaning.

Cleaning and priming of surfaces

If we are talking about preparing a new powder-coated heating radiator for painting, then it will not be possible to completely remove it. At the same time, you should be aware that the smooth surface of the polymer coating prevents good adhesion (adhesion) of the new composition to the old one. There is only one way out: mechanical cleaning of surfaces with sandpaper followed by priming.

After the gloss has been removed and the old coating has been cleaned, the entire heating device is degreased with white spirit, nefras or another similar solvent. Further actions depend on the nature of the new coating. For example, enamels based on silicone and heat-resistant varnish are suitable for application to bare metal, while alkyd, and especially acrylic compositions require an adhesive base.

Advice. High-quality priming will not interfere with any type of coating, but will only extend its service life. Therefore, it is always recommended to do it.

In advance, you should select a primer intended for metal work and suitable for the composition being applied. The most popular is the time-tested brand GF-021, red-brown or gray in color, suitable for alkyd and acrylic paints.

Dyeing process

Painting heating radiators itself is not particularly difficult; you only need patience and care when applying the coating. Battery paint must be thoroughly mixed and a small portion poured into a cuvette or other convenient container.

If necessary, it can be diluted with the appropriate brand of solvent, this is especially true when working with a spray gun, which requires a more liquid consistency. For alkyd enamels and heat-resistant varnishes, white spirit or nefras is suitable, and for acrylic enamels, ordinary water is suitable.

By immersing a brush or roller into the container, the batteries are painted evenly and accurately, from top to bottom, section by section, without making any gaps. There is no need to dip the tool heavily into the paint to avoid drips. Don't be confused by the gaps when applying the first layer; the second one will hide them well. The break between painting the first and second layers is maintained in accordance with the instructions on the packaging.

Important! When working with any compositions except acrylic, you need to organize good ventilation in the house and use a respirator. Ventilation is also necessary after painting the radiators is completed, so that the unpleasant odor disappears.

Antique painting

You can turn your old batteries into a real work of art by painting them in a vintage, retro style. This applies to various cast iron radiators, whose ancestors appeared in houses at the beginning of the last century. Here enamels with powders in silver, gold or bronze will come to the rescue. Of course, the easiest way is to buy silver paint in an aerosol can and quickly apply it to the battery, as done in the video:

But in fact, antique painting of cast iron radiators is not just about making the heating device gold. It still needs to be properly “aged”, a process called patination. Its essence is to apply a layer of dark transparent varnish over dried gold or bronze paint, and then partially remove it in different places, creating the effect of an aged vintage radiator.

After it has dried, the picture can be supplemented with shadows from flowers or butterflies using paper stencils. This work is not easy and requires patience and time, but such a battery will look beautiful in any interior. How to produce high-quality antique painting and patination is shown in the video:

Is it possible to paint radiators during the heating season?

This issue worries many homeowners, and manufacturers, in turn, meet the demand and offer compositions that allow painting 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:

Conclusion

As you can see, the described process is not something complicated or difficult to perform, even vintage painting requires a special approach. Painting your old radiators correctly requires meticulous preparation, as well as precision and a little creativity.

When renovating residential or industrial premises, almost every person wants to choose high-quality consumables that are safe for health and have good performance. A particularly important issue in this matter is the choice of paint for radiators. The difficulty is that if it is chosen incorrectly, it will take quite a long time for the treated surfaces to dry completely. Then, when the radiators are heated, the room will constantly be filled with a pungent and unpleasant odor, and the layer will easily peel off.

Due to the fact that heating radiators often change their temperature and often heat up to too high levels, the colorant used must be calculated taking these features into account. Therefore, you should give preference only to well-tested brands that produce high-quality products that are heat-resistant, do not emit unpleasant odors, do not turn yellow when heated frequently, and also meet all generally accepted requirements for these products.

Today, many manufacturing companies offer a fairly wide range of products such as odorless paint for radiators. Thanks to this, buyers have the opportunity to choose the most suitable type for themselves:

Acrylic enamel;
Alkyd enamel;
Oil enamel;
Water based.

All types differ from each other in production technology, composition and characteristics.

Acrylic enamel

Acrylic paints:

do not have a characteristic odor and are great for interior work.
Their widespread use in everyday life is also due to the fact that they are quite dry quickly,
differ increased moisture resistance,
uniform application on any surface,
and are also absolutely safe for people.
Due to the fact that the substance contains special additives, a layer of paint does not begin to crack and turn yellow when the temperature of the radiator or battery increases.
In addition, it should be noted that manufacturers offer huge range of colors Therefore, acrylic paint for heating radiators is often used in surface decoration.

As for the disadvantages, the most significant of them is high price. However, it fully corresponds to the good performance qualities of the paint.

Alkyd enamel

Alkyd paints, manufactured using the latest technologies, have the following advantages:

A surface coated with a layer of such a substance is resistant to elevated temperatures - it does not crack when heated up to 120 0 C;
High strength;
Homogeneous structure layer upon application;
good abrasion resistance when operating radiators and radiators;
Wide range of colors allows you to choose almost any color;
Layer maintains integrity for a long time.

However, in addition to the advantages, there is also a disadvantage - it remains intact for several days after painting. bad smell, which may subsequently appear upon sufficiently strong heating. In addition, some brands sometimes fade a little and may also change shade.

Water based enamel

Water-dispersion paint for hot radiators, odorless, is an excellent option for coating radiators. It differs from other types in a number of features:

It is made on the basis of ordinary water, so it is absolutely safe for people and environment;
Special dispersed particles are not harmful;
No unpleasant odor;
For completely dry absolutely required some time;
Easy to apply and a uniform layer;
Thanks to the water-repellent effect, painted batteries can be washed without destroying the layer;
Suitable for use in the most different rooms.

The disadvantage can be called not too varied color scheme, because basically she is only white.

Oil enamel

Oil products are in quite high demand due to a number of their advantages:

No pungent or unpleasant odor after application and further heating of batteries and radiators;
Are divided into colored and colorless;
Easy to apply on metal surfaces;
Form uniform layer;
Great suitable for indoor use both residential and non-residential premises;
Low cost compared to other types of battery paints;
Can be used for decoration surfaces - applying patterns and complex designs.

The downside is that it takes a lot of time. This is due to the fact that a solvent is added to the paint.

How to choose the right paint for radiators?

A wide range of different brands leads to the fact that buyers are faced with the problem of which paint to choose. Therefore, when choosing, you must pay attention to whether the enamel meets the following requirements:

Lie down straight for metal products;
Provide protection from rust and corrosive destruction;
Withstand increased temperature;
Maintain original color for a long time.

When choosing paint, it is important to consider the material from which the radiator is made.

In addition, it is also necessary to take into account what material the batteries and radiators are made of. After all, they can be made from a variety of metals, as well as their alloys. Experts recommend following several tips:

For devices made of steel, aluminum and bimetallic composition is better to use acrylic or alkyd paints;
For cast iron batteries are well suited to any type of enamels, except oil. However, in order for the substance to lay down in an even and thin layer, it must be mixed with a thinner;
Better stop using oil paints even the most famous brands, because it very rarely performs protective and decorative functions at the same level as others

How to paint correctly?

There are two ways to apply the product: over an existing coating or from scratch. In both cases, the entire process is performed in two steps:

Preparatory work;
Application of the substance.

Preparation

In the first case, it is necessary to knock off the crust of their old enamel over the entire surface and in hard-to-reach places, performing the so-called sanding. After removing the old paint from the radiators, they should be treated with a rust converter. If there is no coating on the surface, then it must first be pre-cleaned of residual grease, dirt and dust so that they do not distort the color of the freshly applied layer, and then coated with an anti-corrosion compound.

To obtain the highest quality result, the preparatory work should be done in the following order:

Deleted old layer;
Places with rust carefully are being cleared until a metallic sheen appears;
Whole surface sanded using sandpaper;
Product needed degrease with white spirit or weakly alkaline solution;
Apply primer to protect metal from corrosion.

Painting

Before you begin directly painting the batteries, you need to ensure the appropriate conditions.

So, the device must be disabled,
and the temperature of its surface should be the same as in the room, but not lower than 15 0 C. Otherwise, the base will not dry and will not be able to polymerize.
In order for the result to have a neat appearance, the radiator or The battery needs to be removed.
To reliably protect the surface from corrosion, completely coat the internal surfaces, back panel, bottom parts lamellas.

It is important to paint the radiator when the heating is turned off, otherwise the base will not dry.

Coloring begins from the inner ribs, rubbing the substance well with a brush. In this case, you need to make sure that no drips appear.
After everything is dry, they covered again paint and at the same time front panels are also captured. It is better to apply the paint in several layers so that there are no gaps.
After this the device should not be connected for 5-12 hours so that the enamel has time to completely polymerize. If the work is done correctly, the result will please you for about five years.

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:

"Miranol";
"Malta 30";
"Jamaica 90";
"Dufa Heizkorperlack";
"Tex."

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

"Radiator Paint";
"VGT";
"VGT Profi";
"Jobi Termoaquaemail";
"Barbados";
"Colorika Aqua";
"Ceresit CF 33"
"Tikkurila";
"Euro Extra 20";
"Caparol Samtex 7 ELF".

Water-based paints are also in great demand:

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

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

"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.

Prices and reviews

The cost of paint, which is odorless and suitable for heating radiators and radiators, is influenced by its type and brand, as well as its main characteristics.

Can weight price 2.5 kg is:

Enamel for heating batteries brand "VDAK 1179" from company "VGT" amounts to 600-670 rubles;
Brand "Rogneda", produced by the company "Dali" costs approximately 570-650 rubles;
"Dufa Heizkorperlack" – 1500-1700 rubles;
"Tex" costs 1100-1270 rubles;
Enamel for heating radiators "Tikkurila Thermal" will cost approximately 2900-3300 rubles;
Brand "Alpina Heizkorper" costs about 1300-1450 rubles.

If painted correctly, the battery can retain its beautiful appearance for up to 5 years.

Despite the fact that all of the above brands are widely used in the construction industry, some of them are much more popular than others. This difference is due to the fact that they are different types and differ from each other in characteristics and properties. That's why they get different reviews.

Most users prefer acrylic or alkyd enamel, noting: