How to paint a battery: choose materials, paint it yourself. How to paint a heating radiator How to paint antique cast iron radiators

The end of the heating season is the time to solve heating problems. In a private house, heating system repairs can be carried out at almost any time of the year, but when it comes to apartments, difficulties arise. Getting started repair work, you need to wait until the end of the heating season and make sure that the water is drained from the system.

Replacing radiators is a relatively short, but very expensive process, which, unfortunately, not everyone can afford. Don’t get upset ahead of time; old cast iron batteries are in no way inferior to modern heating radiators in terms of heat transfer.

The catch is that it takes a lot of time and effort to paint heating radiators to give them maximum attractiveness. But don’t despair, you can do everything yourself.

Painting a cast iron battery will require the following tools:

a small grinder with an attachment in the form of an iron brush;
hand brush for metal;
battery primer;
heat-insulating paint for metal;
brush for painting radiators.

Preparing the radiator for painting

At the first stage, all old paint is removed from cast iron batteries using a grinder and an iron brush; hard-to-reach places are treated with a hand-held metal brush.

After this, all dust is removed from the batteries, and if necessary, everything is thoroughly wiped with a damp cloth.

Before applying paint to the radiator, degrease the surface with any solvent, if necessary. This is especially important to do if the battery is rusty. After the solvent has completely dried (a couple of hours), a primer material that is heat-resistant is applied with a special narrow brush.

After this, the batteries can be painted. If you refuse the primer layer, through the paint on water based rust will appear in places, even if you apply 2-3 layers.

Painting a cast iron radiator

Today, manufacturers offer two types of heat-resistant paints for metal: water-based and oil-based. It is recommended to apply a minimum of 2 coats of paint at intervals of 5-6 hours depending on the type of paint.

Before applying the paint, it must be thoroughly mixed so that there are no lumps. This is an important aspect.

It is not advisable to purchase just paint for metal, as it turns yellow over time.

As you can see, painting old cast iron radiators labor-intensive process, but in the end the result is worth it.

The heating radiator goes well with the decor in the apartment if it is painted with a uniform layer of shiny emulsion. Old batteries, the coating of which has faded and began to bubble, spoil the interior. Therefore, it is important to update them from time to time, painting them in a color identical to the tone of the walls in the room. True, this process can be difficult to do with your own hands.

Difficulties in painting a battery in an apartment

Often, when updating heating radiators, problems arise, but they all have a solution:

It happens that the color emulsion is spread unevenly. In this case, work must be interrupted. When the already applied emulsion dries, the process must be resumed, starting from the forgotten stage - removing the old layer and treating the battery with a solvent;
Some elements of the heating radiator are often not painted over. This problem can be encountered by using the wrong tools. Hard to reach places are not covered foam roller or with a regular brush, or with a special small curved brush. More for coloring internal elements A simple toothbrush is suitable for batteries;
Renewing the coating of a heating radiator is always inconvenient. To make the task completely easier, it is worth dismantling the object to be painted. This trick will allow you to get a brush dipped in paint into absolutely all places that seemed inaccessible. But this does not mean that the battery must be removed from the wall. In this matter, you should focus on the shape of the radiator and the complexity of dismantling;
The paint may not adhere to the surface in a neat layer, forming streaks, or bubbling. This problem is often caused by staining a hot radiator. To ensure that the new coating is even, you only need to update the cold battery. If the repair of the heating radiator took place in the winter, you need to shut off the access of heated water to it and wait until it becomes cold.

It should be immediately noted that it does not always make sense to cover the battery with a new layer of color emulsion. It is worth upgrading a heating radiator if it is made of cast iron. Being peeling and faded, such heating equipment will negatively affect the quality of heat transfer. It is also recommended to periodically paint convectors that look like a rounded pipe supplying hot water, with ribbed elements added to it.

You should not start painting the battery if it is aluminum. The coating on a heating radiator made of such metal is unlikely to be updated accurately. The factory method of painting heating equipment is not comparable to applying the emulsion with a regular brush. That's why aluminum radiator heating, the paint on which has cracked and faded over time, it is more advisable to cover it with a decorative element.

Nuances of choosing paint and calculations

The quality of the paint significantly influences how the heating radiator will look after updating its surface. Therefore, it must be resistant to high temperatures (up to 100 degrees), resistant to abrasion and not emit toxic substances.

The type of color emulsion also affects the result of painting the battery. Each has its own characteristics:

Acrylic paint It is easy to pick up with a brush and does not flow down the surface being treated, since its consistency is the same as sour cream. The battery coated with it acquires a uniform glossy tint that does not wear off or turn gray for a long time. While this dye is drying, there may be a faint odor of acetone in the air;
Alkyd paint is chosen by many of those who decide to update their heating radiator. It has such advantageous characteristics as high thermal stability, wear resistance and a huge range of shades. But such a color emulsion dries out for more than one day and smells of something pungent, since it contains Stoddard’s solvent;
Water-dispersion paint. It is so named because it requires the addition of water when applying the first coat. This emulsion dries on the battery within a day, and most importantly, it does not emit a pungent odor;
Oil paint. It is considered a relic of the past, which is why almost no one uses it. This coloring substance is not suitable for coating heating radiators, as after some time it becomes faded, loses its shine and is riddled with cracks.

How to calculate the required amount of material

How much color emulsion is required to treat the surface of a heating radiator depends on its area. One section of a cast iron heating radiator is equal to 0.254 m2. Manufacturers always indicate the approximate paint consumption per 1 m2 on the label of the can, because each emulsion has its own consistency. A battery of 9 ribs usually requires more than half a can weighing 0.9 kg.

Tools

Except thermal insulation paint, for the upcoming work you need to prepare the following tools and tools:

A soft and narrow brush to cover visible areas of the heating radiator;
A small and curved brush that makes it easier to paint the internal elements of the battery;

The size of the brush is very important, since the process of painting a heating radiator requires special care. This tool indicator can correspond to half the width of one battery section. A brush that is too narrow will make the job take a long time and will poorly coat many areas of the heating system equipment.

A grinder, which is not difficult to hold in your hands, with an iron brush attached to it;
Hand brush for cleaning metal;
A primer intended for treating heating radiators;
Solvent to degrease the battery surface.

Instructions for correct application of paint with your own hands

In the process of covering a heating radiator with a new layer of paint, you must perform the following steps:

Clean the surface from the previous layer of emulsion, using a grinder with an iron brush on the outer areas, and a hand-held metal brush on the inner areas;

Removal old paint carried out with protective glasses and a respirator worn on the face. This is necessary so as not to inhale a large number of rising dust.

Moisten a small piece of cloth and wipe the scraped heating radiator with it until it is completely clean;
Treat the surface of the battery with a solvent to degrease and protect the metal from corrosion;
After a few hours, when the solvent is absorbed, it is necessary to apply a primer to all sections of the heating radiator, which is heat-resistant and prevents rust. Without it, it will not be possible to mask all the stains formed due to metal corrosion, even after treating the battery several times;

If desired, in a hardware store you can find a paint emulsion, which already contains both a regular primer and an anti-rust liquid. When using it, the previous point can be omitted.

Place cardboard from a cut-up box or film under the heating radiator to prevent drops of paint from falling on the floor. You can also protect the wall from emulsion stains by placing paper behind the radiator;

Stir the coloring matter to break up any lumps that have formed;
Start painting the battery, starting with its internal elements. If you first start processing the external areas, then later, when applying the emulsion to hard-to-reach areas, you can get dirty and ruin the already painted areas with the brush handle;

The paint will adhere to the surface perfectly if you first apply the emulsion to the top of the battery and then to the bottom. Heating equipment should not be coated with a thick and thick layer of paint, because this will cause unevenness to appear on it.

There are quite a lot of reasons why you simply need to paint radiators: major or redecorating premises, replacement or renovation old battery heating, or, for example, the old color does not suit the new kitchen interior. In addition, chips often form on batteries that need to be painted over. In general, the reasons may be different, but how to properly paint batteries and not lose their thermal conductivity, read our article.

Why paint the radiator

In our harsh climate, we cannot do without additional heating sources. Of course, modern technologies do not stand still and more and more often systems are installed in houses, but the batteries we are used to can still be found in many houses.

It’s not easy without radiators in our climate. Such cast-iron, bulky structures are only appropriate in an industrial loft style.

Batteries, no matter how useful they are in winter time years, are constantly subject to criticism. Their design rarely fits into the interior of the room.

Alternatively, they can be hidden behind false kitchen panels, but in this case you risk “losing” some of the heat.

In addition to their bulky and awkward design, batteries are not easy to care for. Firstly, they perfectly collect dust, which needs to be periodically “swept out” using all sorts of tricks. But periodically they need to be painted, which is even more difficult. Let's look at how to do this correctly step by step.

Painting the battery outside the heating season

Preparation

The first step is removing the old paint. Due to the fact that the design of the battery makes many of its places difficult to reach, it is not possible to clean it the old-fashioned way using a metal brush.

A soldering iron or hot air gun will not work. Since in the first case the structure can be damaged, and in the second it is simply useless.

The best way to clean a battery from old paint is a variety of chemical removers.

Paint remover can remove paint even in hard to reach places Oh

Of course, this method also has its drawbacks, but it still gives top scores. The remover works on the principle of a solvent. It penetrates the paint layer, softens it and then scrapes off the old paint quite easily with a putty knife or metal scraper. Among other things, the remover does not damage metal or wood, so it can be used before batteries.

When working with the substance, hold the bottle with the neck away from you so as not to accidentally inhale aggressive vapors of the liquid. The room must be well ventilated.

How to paint batteries:

The process of painting radiators

apply wash;
remove old paint;
rust must be sanded off;
treat the battery with a degreaser (white spirit or slightly alkaline solution);
if necessary, apply a primer;
After drying, you can apply the main color.

Batteries should only be painted when they are cold.. Therefore, it is better to postpone all work to a time when heating season has already ended. If the need arises in the autumn-winter season, turn off the valves and wait until it cools completely.
If you have to apply paint to warm radiators, use a spray can or apply very thin layer. The whole difficulty of applying paint to a hot surface is that brush marks remain. In addition, if the paint is changed, the batteries will become stained.
Radiators can only be connected after the paint has completely dried.

Interesting colored batteries will become a highlight of the kitchen

The room must be ventilated. If this is not possible, use a respirator.

How to choose the right paint for heating radiators:

Choosing the Right Paint

When choosing paint for heating radiators, you should take into account several requirements that the product must meet:

Heat resistance. Since batteries are, in principle, a heating device, the paint must be heat-resistant. Keep this in mind when choosing paint that is resistant to high temperatures.
Non-toxic. When heated, the paint may release bad smell as well as toxic substances that can cause allergies, headaches and even poisoning.
The shine of the paint is provided by acrylic, but it is worth remembering that when painting the room there will be a rather pungent odor. An unpleasant odor may not disappear for quite a long time - the room must be ventilated for several days. Comply with paint

It is worth noting that acrylic paints are among the most durable and resistant. In addition, acrylic paint is wear-resistant and not subject to abrasion.

How to choose a beautiful color for painting or drawing

Classic color for radiators: white or silver. But if you wish, you can paint it in any other color.

Classic white batteries can be decorated in interesting ways

A battery painted with bronze or copper paint will look very interesting in the kitchen.

Dark-colored batteries dissipate heat better

Batteries give off heat best dark colors. As an option, you can finish the back wall, which gives off heat perfectly. If the radiators in your apartment are not too hot, choose a dark palette for them. Chocolate, dark gray or marsh batteries will look good. You can draw a still life or landscape on the batteries, or make one. The most interesting thing will be the flow of the pattern onto the battery.

Interestingly designed batteries will become the highlight of the kitchen

If you approach the coloring of batteries creatively, you can turn this awkward element into an interesting design move.

Decorate your batteries in a beautiful style

How do you like this Khokhloma

Simple but tasteful

Painting heating radiators serves not only an aesthetic function. Layer finishing materials, applied to metal surface, protects it from corrosion, extending the life of the radiator.

In our article we will tell you how to correctly carry out all the preparatory operations, as well as what you need to keep in mind when painting with your own hands.

Why do batteries need painting?

If your home has standard cast iron or steel radiators, then the layer of finishing materials applied to their surface must be periodically updated.

The need for such work is due to the following considerations:

Firstly, sooner or later the paint will wear out and must be reapplied.. At the same time, the finishing makes it possible to partially compensate for the aesthetic shortcomings of radiators, which (for the most part this is true for older models, but also modern designs not far from them) are not at all distinguished by their exquisite design.
Secondly, painting the surface protects it from moisture and other factors, which leads to a decrease in the intensity of corrosion processes. And if this is less relevant for cast iron, then steel radiator with an unpainted surface it rusts very quickly.

Thirdly, when using suitable formulations The heat transfer of the battery, if reduced, is insignificant. That is why, by painting radiators with a specialized pigment, we will not damage the microclimate in the room.

Note!
But copper batteries are not susceptible to painting.
On the one hand, polished copper already looks good enough, but on the other hand, it does not rust and therefore does not require additional protection.
In addition, the high cost when painting will be reduced quite significantly.

As you can see, it is highly advisable to subject steel and cast iron products to such treatment at least once every few years. At the right approach Completing this task will not take much time, so it is quite possible to do it on your own, without the involvement of third-party specialists.

Painting technology

Paint selection

At industrial production Battery surface treatment is carried out by applying powder pigments in a special chamber. This technology is very effective because it ensures maximum adhesion of the paint layer to the base, but it is impossible to implement it on your own without the appropriate equipment.

That is why radiators are usually painted either with a brush or with a spray gun using special liquid compounds.

For processing similar products Elastic heat-resistant pigments with good thermal conductivity are used:

Paint type	Peculiarities
Acrylic enamels and analogues	The basis of the material is pigment mixed with a polymer complex and organic solvent. After application, a glossy film is formed, which practically does not reduce the heat transfer of the radiator.
Alkyd enamels	The layer of polymerized material is elastic and durable and can withstand heating to very high temperatures. The main disadvantage is the extremely unpleasant odor during processing.
Water-dispersed paints	They are easy to apply, dry fairly quickly, and have good coverage. The main problem in in this case is the selection of a heat-resistant pigment, since an attempt to use regular paint will lead to the fact that the battery will have to be repainted very often.

Advice!
To speed up the finishing process as much as possible, you can take auto enamel in an aerosol can.
The only disadvantage of this solution is high price, but the expenses will be significant only if several dozen radiators have to be painted.

Before purchasing a pigment, you need to decide on the volume of paint, which depends on the area of the surface being treated. It is most convenient to determine the area of heating radiators for painting using special programs: just enter the type of batteries and their quantity in the appropriate fields, and the algorithm will give us the required figure.

Preparation

To ensure that the paint lays evenly and adheres firmly, the surfaces should be carefully prepared.

Instructions for implementation preparatory activities will be as follows:

All work is carried out with the batteries disconnected. There is no point in applying paint to a working radiator: the high temperature of the base will not ensure normal drying, and the pigment will begin to peel off very quickly.

Advice!
Ideally, the radiator should be removed and thoroughly tapped with a mallet.
This will make it easier to remove the old paint and remove internal deposits from the walls.
Then they can be poured through the holes.

Be sure to remove old paint. To do this, we either use special washes or heat the surfaces construction hairdryer and clean off the layer paint and varnish materials with a spatula.
After removing the paint, sand the surfaces. We carry out rough processing using a grinder (using a brush attachment), and then once again pass along the planes with a metal brush.

After this, degrease all surfaces. We should have a metal battery without traces of old pigment and rust - so we will paint it.

Painting and drying

Painting cast iron heating radiators is done as follows:

If you use pigment in an aerosol can or spray gun, then stick old newspapers on the wall behind the radiator to prevent drops from getting on the finish. When painting with a brush, it is enough to cover the floor directly under the radiator.

Advice!
It is advisable to take at least two brushes: a wide one for painting the main surfaces of sections, and a narrow one for painting hard-to-reach places between the ribs.

Apply the first layer with the mixture diluted by approximately 1/4. This layer will act as a primer.
Let the primer layer dry for 24 hours, after which we apply a second layer, now with paint of normal thickness. We carefully paint all areas, trying not to leave empty spaces - this is where the battery will begin to rust first.

Dry the radiator again for 24 hours. Only after the paint has completely polymerized can the heating be turned on.

Conclusion

Painting radiators and heating pipes does not require us to have complex tools or specific skills. If you know simple rules(and to do this, just read the above recommendations and watch the video in this article), then the work will not take much time, and the result will be quite decent.

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 are the owner modern models 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, close them 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 following types:

water-dispersed;
alkyd;
acrylic;
oil

Any paint for heating radiators must be abrasion resistant and well tolerated. high temperatures(up to 100 degrees) and does not emit 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 high stability to abrasion and a huge range of shades. In addition, the smell from modern building materials not so harsh.

Concerning oil paint, then it is used less and less as a coating for batteries 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’s best to use alkyd paints famous manufacturers. All you have to do is choose suitable color coverings.

What paint to paint radiators video

How to paint radiators: preparatory stage

So, the materials have been selected. Now you can move on to 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 of the old paint coating to 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 hair dryer at hand, you can use alternative option- 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 front side paint at the last minute. 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 important role, since this heating element attracts attention and is a subject of interior design and room 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.