Painting a radiator is the fastest way to smarten up your room. Whether you want it to blend seamlessly into your scheme, make more of a statement or salvage flaking paint, it’s easier than you think. We’ve asked our experts to give us their tips for achieving a super-hot finish.
Expert tips on how to paint a radiator
Can you paint a radiator and make it look professional – and, if so, how? By following our advice: from choosing the right tools to advice on what paint to use on radiators. Plus, we’ll help ensure you reach those tricky bits that often get missed.
You’ll need
- Dust sheets, cardboard or newspaper
- Sandpaper
- Masking tape
- 2” paintbrush and 1.5” flag brush for tricky areas
- Paint
- Mini roller (optional)
- Radiator primer, if required
- Clear radiator overcoat, if required
What’s the best way to start?
First, turn off your heating and the valves on the radiator. Once the radiator is cold, get your room ready. You want to be in a well-ventilated space (if you choose a solvent-based paint) so open a window, then clear out or protect the furniture with dust sheets and put on some old clothes.
It’s not essential but it should improve the end result, and make your work last longer. Apply Crown Multi-Surface Primer or, if you’ve come across rust spots, use an anti-corrosive primer to stop the rust getting worse. Make sure the primer is completely dry before putting on the top coat.
Do I need to remove my radiator to paint it?
No, you can paint it in situ. The key is to protect the area around the radiator carefully, so tape a large piece of cardboard or sheets of newspaper behind it, and make sure the floor is covered to catch splashes.
How should I prepare the radiator for painting?
Your radiator is a prime spot for dust and grime, so give it a good clean before you start. Vacuum thoroughly and then go over the surface with a damp cloth and some mild detergent. Rinse and dry.
You’ll then need to sand the radiator to get rid of old, flaky paint and any rust patches, and to roughen the surface ready for painting. Vacuum and wipe the radiator again to make sure it’s dust-free, then cover vents and valves with masking tape so they don’t get clogged with paint.
Your last bit of prep is to spot any prime bare patches (see below), or fully prime if coating an existing gloss finish with a lower sheen.
What are the best tools for radiator painting?
You can use a standard paint brush or, if your radiator is a tricky shape, invest in a flag brush –which has a right-angled head, hence the name – so you can reach any awkward areas. Synthetic brushes are best for water-based paints as they don’t absorb water, while natural bristles are what you want for oil-based products. You could use a mini roller for the top and bottom of the radiator to give a smoother, brushmark-free finish.
Using spray paint can also be a good way of reaching inaccessible areas, but if you choose this option, make sure the surroundings are fully protected.
Do I need to prime my radiator before putting on a top coat?
It’s not essential but it should improve the end result, and make your work last longer. Apply Crown Multi-Surface Primer or, if you’ve come across rust spots, use an anti-corrosive primer to stop the rust getting worse. Make sure the primer is completely dry before putting on the top coat.
What’s the best paint to use on radiators?
Although you can buy heat-resistant radiator paints, a good-quality water-based satin paint, that’s easy to apply, low-odour and better for the environment, will do the job nicely. (Oil-based versions will give you a higher sheen but it’s harder to get a smooth finish so they’re not recommended for beginners.)
If you’re after colour, you can use a durable multi-surface emulsion like easyclean® durable matt, as long as you’ve primed your radiator first. Finish with a clear radiator overcoat to make it last longer.
Any tips on technique?
Using your 2” brush, paint the side edges of the radiator first, then the front, following the direction of the grooves. Work your way from left to right, overlapping each section as you go to make sure you get an even coating.
Finally, paint the top and bottom edges of the radiator (a mini roller is useful here). You don’t need to paint the back if it’s against the wall; just take your paint a little way around the back edge so it looks complete from the front.
Your radiator will need at least two coats of paint. Follow the manufacturer's recommendation for recoating on the back of the tin. (Quick Dry water-based paints will let you finish the job quicker.)
For tips on cleaning your tools, read our latest article on how to clean brushes and rollers.
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