Sick and tired of seeing an old, dirty radiator in the corner of your home? We don’t blame you! When you’re unhappy with your heating and it’s throwing off your decor, you might just want to rip the radiator out and replace it with a new one.
But unless you want to deal with the DIY work that goes into that, you could simply paint the radiator. It’s quite easy to do, and the expert tips below will ensure you get the kind of finish you’re really looking for.
Make Sure You’ve Bought Radiator Paint
Radiators require a special type of paint designed to withstand heat. Before you start redecorating, make sure you’ve bought the correct radiator paint.
Turn the Radiator Off
It’s hard to paint a radiator if it’s too hot to touch or sit close to! Turn it off using the valve and let it cool down completely.
Clean It Up
Radiators get dirty over the years. Use antibacterial wipes or a home cleaner with a cloth to remove any visible stains and grime.
Sand It Down
Roughing up the radiator’s surface with sandpaper helps the paint stick better and prevents it from sliding or chipping off easily.
Tape Off Areas You Don’t Want Painted
Unless you want to paint your radiator valves (which we recommend avoiding for easier use later), tape them off carefully. You can also tape the edges on the wall behind the radiator to prevent paint splashes.
Painter’s tape works best, but if you only have masking tape, that will do just fine.
Start Painting
Now that your workstation is prepped and you have the right paint, start painting with bold, even strokes. Let the first coat dry without trying to fix any imperfections immediately.
Remember, this is only the first coat! You can add more coats until the colour is just right.
Apply Further Coats
Once the first coat is dry, apply additional coats as needed. Darker radiators often need more coats since the original colour may show through.
Lighter coloured radiators—like our white radiators—usually only need two to three coats. Our white radiators are also easy to paint over without requiring any priming.
Thinking About a New Radiator Instead?
If you’re tired of the painting and want a fresh start, why not explore our range of radiators at Radiator Village?
Check out our collections of:
-
Single Radiators — simple and classic
-
Double Radiators — great for larger spaces
-
Horizontal Radiators — perfect for under windows
-
Vertical Radiators — stylish space savers
-
Flat Designer Radiators — sleek and modern
-
Oval Radiators — unique shapes for statement spaces
-
Designer Radiators — for bold and beautiful heating solutions
Refreshing your radiator with a new coat of paint or upgrading to a stylish new model from Radiator Village will instantly improve your room’s look and your home’s comfort.
