How to paint radiators or a stove?
Radiators are an essential part of most homes. A water-circulating radiator no longer has to be yellowed and dirty white in your otherwise beautiful home.
Painting radiators is quick and easy. And best of all, there are plenty of choices in terms of what type of paint and color you choose.
Read here for easy and useful painting instructions for painting a metal radiator.
If you are thinking about painting another heated surface, such as a metal-clad stove , read the instructions to the end.
Non-yellowing Frenchic paint is the perfect choice for painting radiators. Water-based Frenchic paint can withstand heat of around 75-85 degrees and comes in a range of beautiful shades to make your radiators beautiful again and more suitable for your interior.
What kind of paint should I choose to paint a metal radiator?
Old radiators were often originally white.
Depending on the paint, the color may have yellowed badly over the years and is no longer as fresh as it used to be. An old radiator is always highlighted when other surfaces and spaces around the home are improved - new furniture is purchased, wallpapered or painted.
Fortunately, paints have also evolved. The Frenchic series offers many more options for how radiators can be treated in interior design.
The simplest approach is to use a paint that doesn't require a primer and will make the surface durable. You also need to make sure that the paint you choose is suitable for metal and can withstand heat.
Choosing a water-based, low-VOC, low-odor paint is a more pleasant application and environmentally friendly option. On the other hand, chrome radiators and towel rails are generally not suitable for painting.
If your radiators have a powder-coated finish or have been previously painted, you can choose a new shade from these Frenchic series:
Trim Paint - semi-matte
Al Fresco - matte
Frensheen - metallic shades
Frenshimmers - metallic patina shades
Highlight or fade
You should also consider whether you want to paint the plumbing. Matching radiators and plumbing can create a more cohesive look.
Or add contrast with different colors. As above, another option is to renew the plumbing with Frenchic metallic paints. A copper-colored radiator is a great interior design element!
If you are painting exposed metal, such as copper pipes, and you have chosen a Trim Paint shade, a suitable metal primer is required (other Frenchic series do not require a primer).
How are radiators painted?
Next, we move on to the painting process.
First of all, it is best to turn off the radiator completely several hours before starting to paint, so that the surface cools down before painting - preferably the day before. It is therefore advisable to schedule the painting of radiators outside the heating season.
1. Clean, 2. roughen and 3. paint...
Before painting, remember to clean the radiators with Sugar Soap or another detergent and treat any rust spots.
Tape and protect the thermostat and vent screw. You can paint them lightly afterwards with a small brush so that they can still be opened/closed.
Sand lightly to ensure good adhesion and remove any flaking paint. Finally, wipe off any dust and paint directly according to the instructions on the paint can. Follow the direction of the slats or panels, which usually run vertically.
Once you have painted the required number of layers, it is important not to turn the radiators back on. Let the paint dry for at least 48 hours, so either turn off the radiator you are painting on or do not turn on the heating. Too hot a surface can ruin the paint surface and the drying process will be disrupted, affecting durability.
Also note that when painting bathroom radiators, humidity can hinder the drying process, so if there is humidity in the room, you will need to keep the area well ventilated for a few days.
What is the best color for radiators?
Gone are the days when white was the only option for radiators. This traditional color has meant that radiators have always stood out from any wall that is not white itself.
Thanks to this, radiator covers have also become the best option for anyone who wants their radiators to blend better into the interior.
While radiator covers can look great, they also have their downsides. They tend to reduce airflow and heat transfer, which hinders the radiators' ability to heat a room. They also take up space and can be expensive compared to other options.
Here are a few ways you can make the radiators work in your space by painting...
Blend the tone with the wall tones
For a seamless look, blend your radiators with any wall color - remember, white is no longer the only option!
Choose wall paint from the Chalk Paint series and radiator paint from the Trim Paint series, both in the same shade, but with a slight difference in gloss level, making the whole look beautiful, interesting and finished.
The picture shows the space in the living room before and after painting the radiator. Shade: Moleskin, Trim Paint. Wall paint: Stone in Love, Chalk Wall Paint
Contrasting colors
Alternatively, you can incorporate the radiator into your interior design and make it stand out with a strong contrast.
If you want to add character, a simple wooden shelf over the radiator in the hallway is practical - and can even increase the radiator's efficiency.
If you want to go somewhere between these two ideas, you can match the ideas: pick the shade of the radiator from the wallpaper, carpet or curtains. The image shows the shade Smudge, from the Al Fresco series.
Bring on the heat!
With Frenchic, you can paint your radiators however you want, and there are several different colors and finishes available.
You can choose from the ultra-matte finish of Chalk Wall Paint, the soft satin finish of Trim Paint, or the smooth matte finish of Al Fresco or Lazy Range.
The next time you paint the walls, paint the radiator too, not white, but in the same shade as the wall paint, and the end result will be finished and stylish.
The radiator in the picture is painted in beige Salt of The Earth , from the Lazy Range series.
Stick to a solid color or get creative with metallic shades
Check out how others have painted their radiators in our Facebook group! Whatever your choice, you'll enjoy minimal preparation work, high-quality paintability, and a long-lasting result!
Official recommendation for painting other surfaces that get hot
Generally speaking, all water-based paints, such as Frenchic paints, can withstand heat of about 85 degrees.
If you are thinking about painting another surface that gets hot, such as a metal-clad stove, measure the temperature of the surface before starting to paint.
So it depends on how hot the surface gets - you can measure that yourself with a thermometer.
In the Facebook group you can find pictures and experiences of ovens painted by our customers.
