How to Paint Cast Iron Radiators
Diy radiator-If you are stuck on how you can paint a cast iron radiator without ruining the features and the class of it then this article is a must read for you. Many of the older homes and buildings have cast iron radiators throughout, however over time with the constant heating and cooling of the radiators, the paint chips off and makes the radiators an eyesore. You can if done correctly restore them to their original beauty, this will take some time but in the end it is well worth the effort that you put in to do so.
You should plan to work early in the spring as you are going to have to turn off the heating for at least three months to allow the paint to settle on the radiators before you turn it back on again, the key is not to rush the process as it will look awful and it will be a waste of your time.
Cast Iron Radiators-Start removing the radiators by turning the gas off and taking the bolts out that are fastening it to the wall. Place a bowl or a dish under the valve in case any water starts to come out so that it doesn’t go all over the floor. Then take the radiator outside and tilt it on its side to remove any remaining water and debris, you may want to get a few people to help you move the radiator because they are very heavy.
Wipe down the radiator, front and back with a warm rag to get rid of any dirt and dust before you go to paint it. Then after you have done this scrap off any flaking bits with sandpaper or a wire brush. Then to get that smooth even finish sandblast all of the parts of the radiator to remove any stubborn paint or rust. Wear safety glasses when sandblasting to protect your eyes, you also need to sand the whole radiator so that there is a surface for the paint to grip onto. You don’t have to sandblast it just use some coarse sheets of sandpaper to get rid of the majority of the paint.
Again after you have done this wipe away all the debris that might mess up the job. Put down some newspaper if you haven’t already to catch the paint instead of going all over the floor even if it outside. Hold the spray paint can 12 to 18 inches away from the radiator and work on a single section at a time lightly covering it with paint as you go to get an even finish all around. This allows the paint to dry faster but always check with the manufacturer’s instructions on the drying time. To make sure that you have enough paint buy at least two or three cans of spray paint and you can always store them for touching up if you don’t use them all in one go.
After you have put one coat on and its dry keep going until you are happy with the finish, remembering to let it dry each time you finish.
Then after you have painted the radiator put it in a well-ventilated area until you can put them back onto the wall and make sure all coats have dried to touch. When this is complete you can then move it back into the house. Then it is basically just a case of repeating the steps that you did to take it off the wall to put it back on.
Author Bio:
Aidan is a keen writer who has a passion for radiators. He currently writes for the radiator works who have a selection of bespoke radiators and modern radiators.
