How to paint a radiator?

Painting cast iron batteries - not such a complicated process that it cannot be done on your own, while saving a decent amount. In addition, you will be confident in the quality of work.

What is needed to cope with this task? To quality paint the battery, you will need a suitable paint, as well as knowledge of some of the technological "secrets" of the process itself.

Paints

When painting heating batteries special requirements are imposed on their coating: they must be resistant to constant exposure to high temperatures, abrasion, and also maintain consumer properties for a long time, that is, an attractive appearance. Most suitable for painting cast iron batteries the following compositions:

• Alkyd enamels.

Pros: when heated to 90 degrees, they retain their strength, do not "peel off", are resistant to abrasion.

Minuses: a specific smell lasts for a long time, the coating turns yellow quickly, it can deform.

• Water-dispersive acrylic enamels.

Pros: fast drying, no odor after drying, color fastness, which can be varied using universal colors.

Minuses: limited choice - not all enamels of this group can withstand high temperatures.

• Solvent acrylic enamels.

Pros: no pre-processing required before painting heating batteries, resistance to high temperatures and moisture, glossy surface that retains its original color for a long time.

Minuses: The need to use a solvent, the inability to use universal colors to change color shades.

Materials (edit)

To paint the battery, you need to have, in addition to the selected enamel:

• cleaner for old paintwork,
• sandpaper
• a primer with anti-corrosion properties and a set of brushes.

You cannot do with one brush: for hard-to-reach places you need a small one, on a long handle, for external surfaces a wider one is suitable, which will allow you to lay the paint more evenly and save time.

Process

Heating batteries painting it is better not to spend during the heating season. Applying enamel to hot metal will increase the odor in the room, and the coating may turn out to be uneven. In warmer months, you can open the windows for ventilation so that the smell of solvents does not harm your health. If necessary, all the same paint the battery in winter, first disconnect it from the heating system using the appropriate valves.

• Prepare the surface. Treat it with an old paint stripper, wait for the recommended time, and then sandpaper it to remove the old paint. Those places where it holds firmly and does not come off can be left - the new enamel will lie on top.
• Rinse and dry the battery. Apply a rustproofing primer to it using brushes. The choice of primer depends on the condition of your battery and the range of primers in the store. The sales assistant will help you with the choice.
• Cast iron battery painting start from the inside and from the top so that the flowing paint does not form drips. For work, use a brush that is suitable for the size, thickness and length of the handle. For the best resistance of the coating to external influences and preservation of its attractive appearance for a long time, apply two thin coats of enamel. The second layer is applied after the first one has completely dried.