What paint to paint heating radiators with: a comparative review of types of paint for batteries + the best manufacturers

Thanks to painting, heating batteries become more presentable and receive additional protection against corrosion. But the paint for heating radiators must be chosen correctly so that the renewed coating lasts as long as possible.

We will help you in this matter. The article lists the requirements for enamels and describes the advantages and disadvantages of different paints. There is also an overview of companies whose paints and varnishes have proven wear resistance in practice.

Aerosol paint

Recently, a large assortment of paints in spray cans has appeared.
This product is also sold for heating radiators. The principle of its selection is that you need to take into account the temperature regime. Without the appropriate experience, the process of applying paint for heating radiators in cans causes some difficulty. In reality, everything is very simple: it should be sprayed from a distance of at least 20 centimeters from the surface to be painted. In this case, the stream must be directed evenly, without lingering in one place for a long time.

The paint is applied in an aerosol package with a sprayer in several layers, which depends on the complexity of the battery’s relief. To get a uniform color, the direction of the jet needs to be changed. For example, if in the first pass there was a movement from bottom to top and top to bottom, then during the second pass the composition should be applied from left to right and vice versa.

Since at first, due to lack of skills, it will be difficult to control the movement of the hand with the spray can, you should cover a large area with newspapers or paper.

Remontti Assa Tikkurila

This is a Finnish good paint for batteries, which contains an acrylate binder. At the same time, the manufacturer did not use organic solvents. The products are absolutely safe for people suffering from allergies or asthma.

Advantages:

• the dye is made using innovative technologies and high-quality materials;
• high security;
• resistance to washing and abrasion.

The only downside is the high price of the product.

Powder dyes

With the help of such dyes, steel, bimetallic and aluminum batteries are painted under production conditions. For home painting, it is used very rarely due to the need for a special tool - a spray gun. Although some services rent out such equipment.

According to the technology, a negative charge is transferred to the cleaned part, and a positive charge to the powder paint. To do this, you need a diesel generator that produces current at a voltage of 25-30 kV with a power of a fraction of an ampere.

The potential difference allows the powder to be evenly sprayed over the entire surface to be painted. The next step is to polymerize the dye so that it becomes rigid. It is performed by heating the product to a certain temperature. Its range is from 170-200℃ to 350℃.

The lower temperature threshold can be created with a heat gun, but to pump up high temperatures you will need a furnace that will gradually warm up the product. Alternatively, you can use paint that polymerizes under the influence of ultraviolet radiation. Then in a closed room it is enough to turn on a special lamp for a specified time.

Be that as it may, such technology is difficult to implement at home. You may be able to have your radiator painted in an equipped auto repair shop.

Professional Gloss JOHNSTONE'S

British paint developed for painting metal batteries. It is based on a durable alkyd resin that provides a durable finish.

Advantages:

• perfect coverage;
• pleasant gloss;
• high resistance to negative external influences: shock, temperature.

The disadvantages of the product include the high price.

Radiator paint

Now let's move on to paint types. Special paints for heating systems are alkyd and acrylic; there are also varieties of them - they are made on different bases.

Alkyd enamels

This group has a very wide range of shades, there is a smell, but not very strong, it disappears after a few hours. You can use them with confidence: they will not turn yellow or fade. But alkyd enamels for radiators come on different bases:

The manufacturer and its purpose must be indicated on the paint can.

Acrylic enamels

Acrylic enamels after drying resemble a plastic coating. The effect is complete: both in appearance and to the touch. This paint holds up very well and washes well. But there are several types, with different properties. They are water-based and virtually odorless. Also called “acrylate enamels”. But you need to look for heating systems designed for painting.

A good option is VD-AK-1179. But this paint must be applied to primed or previously painted metal. Drying time before applying the next layer is 2 hours, complete drying is 24 hours (the cost per liter jar is about 600 rubles).

There are a lot of manufacturers of paints for radiators and heating pipes

With a smell, but includes anti-corrosion additives “Thermakrill” from the ALP ENAMEL campaign. The declared temperature is up to +120 oC, has anti-corrosion properties, is suitable for painting any steel, including stainless, low-carbon and galvanized, aluminum and titanium alloys. Can be tinted in any shade. Drying time before applying the next layer at 20 oC is 20-30 minutes, complete drying is 2 days.

There are many other enamels of this class with different characteristics. Choose the option that suits you best.

Hammer enamels

This is a very interesting version of alkyd enamels, allowing you to achieve non-uniform coloring using only one paint. Depending on the type of pigment, the surface may have the appearance of embossing, hammering, and other effects. The heterogeneity of color hides defects and unevenness of the base very well. The preparation of the base is standard: removing rust, old paint, stripping to metal, degreasing to a “clean rag.” When applied to smooth and glossy surfaces, it is necessary to create a rough base (treat with sandpaper).

Hammer enamels give a very interesting effect that will hide many surface imperfections

Powder paints

This is a modern painting method that is used to paint aluminum, bimetallic and steel radiators. It is difficult to implement at home. It's a matter of technology. Powder paint is dry and sprayed from a special gun. It costs about $40-60, but you can find an organization that rents equipment.

The part to be painted (prepared and cleaned) is given a negative potential, while the powder is given a positive potential. To “charge” the part, a diesel engine is needed, which can produce fractions of an ampere at a voltage of 25-30 kV.

Due to the potential difference during spraying, the powder is evenly distributed over the surface of the part. The applied coating then requires polymerization: creating conditions under which the applied powder turns into a single, rigid coating.

Powder coating gives a durable and smooth finish, but it is a complex process

Most often, this condition is heating to certain temperatures. The heating temperature can vary from 170-200 oC to 350 oC. At a low polymerization temperature, heating the part with an ash gun may be enough, but at a high temperature, the part is placed in a special oven (a used one costs about $60), where it is gradually heated. There are also compositions that polymerize under ultraviolet radiation. Everything is simpler here: in a closed space they turn on an ultraviolet lamp and keep the part for a certain period of time.

In any case, it is quite difficult to create such conditions at home. If there is a need for powder coating, you can contact a specialized auto repair shop; maybe they have similar equipment and will agree to paint the radiators for you.

As you can see, the choice of colors is quite wide. The only type that is not recommended is oil paints. They, in fact, have already outlived their usefulness. But if you prefer them, you can use them.

Acrylic paints

Acrylic paint compositions from the group of water-based dyes have many advantages

Among them, the following attracts particular attention:

• Safe and odorless. Such paints do not emit harmful substances and therefore do not pose a danger to humans and animals.
• Fast drying. One coat of paint dries within half an hour, provided that the room temperature is 18-23 degrees.
• Good moisture-repellent properties.
• Resistance of the coating to mechanical stress.

Acrylic dyes are an excellent option for painting heating devices, as they have appropriate technical and aesthetic characteristics. The appearance of a battery painted with an acrylic composition is a bit like plastic with a slight shine. The paint color is rich and bright. This option is ideal for answering the question of what paint to paint odorless radiators with.

Advice from experienced professionals

The last layer does not mean that the work is completely finished. If it is important to bring the appearance of the battery to perfect condition, then you can perform glossing or polishing. This is not only a struggle for the appearance of the radiator; a smooth surface releases significantly more heat into the air than a rough primed one. Moreover, it makes sense to do this during the heating season in order to improve the heating of the room.

In the simplest case, the front layer of paint is simply polished with a soft cloth dipped in soapy water. It is clear that working with a hot surface is not very comfortable, so you can go another way. For example, apply an additional layer of polyurethane or alkyd varnish that gives gloss. It is better to paint warm heating radiators with varnish, then the appearance of gloss is guaranteed.

The paint, no matter what it is - alkyd or nitro enamel, and even more so oil-based, is in a fairly plastic state due to the high temperature of the hot battery, so until the end of the heating season it is advisable to avoid any work with the radiator, do not try to put things on it, clean or use as a stand.

Features of battery coloring

In order for the paint on radiators to last a long time, it is necessary to carry out the painting procedure correctly.

Removing old coating and applying putty

Before painting radiators, preparatory measures should be carried out.

First you need to wash off the dirt from the surface, then clean the battery with fine sandpaper to remove all the paint that does not adhere firmly.

If, as a result, fragments of the coating remain on the surface, then the recesses between them must be coated with metal putty, wait until it dries and treat the radiator with sandpaper to achieve a perfectly smooth surface.

Surface priming

The next step is to apply a primer to improve the adhesion of the paint to the metal. Afterwards, the primer should dry for as long as indicated on the packaging.

Attention! When purchasing a primer, do not use one intended for wood or plaster.

Selection of brushes

At the last stage, painting is carried out. To achieve maximum effect, make sure to purchase the necessary tools:

• A straight brush is used to paint the outer surface of the battery. Another option is to use a roller or spray gun instead.
• Curved brush - it is convenient to work with the back surface and hard-to-reach places inside the radiator.

Photo 2. Special brush for painting heating radiators. It has a curved shape, which allows you to reach hard-to-reach places.

Dyeing process

The wall behind the radiator and the floor are covered with film, after which the enamel is applied with a curved brush to the internal parts of the structure and its rear surface. Next, paint the outer part with a straight brush, roller or spray gun.

Reference.

It is best to paint the battery in the summer, but if it needs to be done in the winter, then you should look for an indication on the paint packaging that it is suitable for painting hot radiators.

Applying a second layer

After applying the first layer, you must wait for the paint to dry for a certain time, which is indicated by the manufacturer on the packaging. The second layer is applied only to the outer surface of the radiator - this gives it a more aesthetic appearance.

Varieties

Products used to paint batteries come in different consistencies and are used to coat different metals. Many of them are used to cover the outside of radiators, and the rest - for the inside. Each type of paint has its own characteristics and qualities unique to it. So, it’s worth understanding the main types of coloring compositions.

Oily

Several years ago, oil paints were the most common means of painting radiator pipes.

Today no one uses such compositions anymore due to the following disadvantages:

• have a strong unpleasant odor;
• after a while they will turn yellow and crack.

Re-painting the radiator will still not give it its original appearance.

Acrylic

This paint contains so-called polyacrylate - a substance that forms a film. If you want a colorful product not to have a pungent odor, then a polyacrylate coating will be the best solution. Such products, for example, “Universal”, are often used in living rooms, as they have almost no odor. The main advantage of this choice is that acrylic paint can be diluted with plain water. After drying, it will not crack or wear off, and is easy to clean from dust. There are glossy and matte varieties of composition.

Powder

Products made from powder are considered the most resistant to mechanical stress and have a long service life. This radiator paint will have to be heated, after which it will polarize and a homogeneous substance will be obtained. The average polymerization temperature of such compositions is +200–350 degrees. These products are not used in homes due to the fact that the substrate will have to be heated for painting. Cars are painted in a similar way.

Alkyd

This paint option creates a film on the metal surface. It is highly durable and has a shine. If you properly prepare the surface of the battery, the alkyd coating can last up to five years.

Alkyd enamel contains various substances, so the characteristics of this paint often differ.

Paint based on organic thinners. This composition has an unpleasant odor and high heat resistance. The main color of this paint is white, however, by adding the desired dye, you can get any color. Alkyd enamel on water-based acrylic. The main advantage is the absence of strong odors

When purchasing such a composition, you should pay attention to the area of ​​application, since not all options are suitable for painting metal pipes Alkyd enamel on silicone. This paint option is of high quality, is rarely used and can withstand critical temperatures up to +600 degrees

This enamel can be used to paint absolutely everything - from batteries to stoves.

Attention! If you buy white enamel, then you should pay attention to the fact that the composition does not contain chalk. If the description on the package contains chalk, then such a composition will quickly deteriorate and turn yellow at elevated temperatures, so it is absolutely not suitable for coloring batteries

High-quality formulations contain titanium white. These paints are very reliable, but cost twice as much as regular paints.

Colorful products in cans

Over the past few years, the spray painting method has become very popular. To work with this paint you will not need any painting skills. When choosing such paint, you should also not forget about the degree of use.

Brief overview of manufacturers

Heat-resistant paints and varnishes for painting heating systems, both imported and domestic, are available for sale. Both of them are quite suitable for painting batteries in a cottage or apartment.

Among the main manufacturing companies we can mention:

1. Scandinavian TIKKURILA with the “Termal” series.
2. German DUFA series “Thermo” and “Aqua-Heizkorperlack”.
3. Russian TEX with special “enamel for radiators”.
4. Polish SNIEZKA .
5. Slovenian BELINKA .
6. Russian LAKRA .

There are many options with different prices and composition, there is plenty to choose from. Moreover, when choosing a primer for paint, it is best to opt for products from one manufacturer. There is no point in experimenting with mixing what is cheaper.

An overview of popular thermal paints that are used for painting radiators, metal stoves and other elements of the heating circuit is given in this article.

What criteria must paint for heating radiators meet?

Compositions for painting radiators and heating pipes are somewhat different in their parameters from conventional paints, so it is worth familiarizing yourself with their main physical, technical and operational characteristics, which experts recommend paying special attention to

To paint heating radiators, it is recommended to use compositions specially designed for this purpose.

• First of all, the paint must be safe for the residents of the apartment or house, that is, it must not emit toxic fumes during the entire period of operation. Therefore, when purchasing, it is necessary to study the composition of the paint and its compliance with accepted standards and norms. Imported paint from European manufacturers, the brands of which are represented in a large assortment on the Russian market, must comply with European standards, and domestic products must comply with the standards of current GOSTs. If the packaging contains a link not to standards, but to some mysterious specifications (technical conditions), then this can be considered an “amateur activity” of the manufacturer, and it is better to immediately discard such paint - its compliance with safety standards is not guaranteed in any way.
• The heat resistance of the paint should not be lower than +80 degrees, otherwise it may crack, begin to peel off or turn yellow. Moreover, this indicator should be considered the minimum acceptable - it is better if it is even higher.
• It is desirable that the paint composition be quick-drying - this factor will significantly speed up the work, since the paint is usually applied in two layers.
• The anti-corrosion properties of the paint will protect the surface of the radiators from external aggressive influences. This is usually taken into account when producing compositions for coating metal surfaces.
• Some paints emit a strong, unpleasant odor before they completely harden - they can be chosen only for those rooms that can be thoroughly ventilated.
• Moisture resistance for radiator paint is necessary for unhindered wet cleaning using detergents.
• The thermal conductivity of the paint layer must be high enough, otherwise it will reduce the heat transfer from heating devices.

Is it possible to paint batteries during the heating season?

This issue worries many homeowners, and manufacturers, in turn, meet the demand and offer compositions that allow them to paint batteries during the heating season. Despite this, many experts, even those who sell enamels, unanimously advise against doing this. Without going into the details of metallurgy or chemistry, we will present two main reasons why it is better to postpone painting until spring:

1. Acrylic enamel dries very quickly. In conditions where the radiator is hot, it will dry right after the brush. This will not make it possible to apply a high-quality coating and repainting is coming in the spring.

2. All paints, except acrylic, emit an unpleasant odor. It intensifies many times over when the enamel is applied to a hot surface. Even if you open all the windows in the middle of winter, it will be difficult for you to stay indoors for a long time.

To ensure the quality of painting and the durability of the new layer, it would be better to wait until the heating season ends. The question is explained in more detail in the video:

Features of paint application

Applying one or another type of paint to radiators is not quite a simple job, as a person who is far from understanding the technology of painting work might think. After all, the reliability of the coating and its durability will depend on how correctly all the stages of painting were followed.

Preparatory stage

Painting with acrylic paint

Preparing radiators for painting is the most important and first stage, on which the final result largely depends. First, you need to thoroughly wash the heating device, using for this purpose a special spray bottle with washing liquid, a soft cloth and a brush. Even new batteries require preliminary preparation, since even the highest quality paints without their characteristic odor should lie smoothly and evenly on the surface. Next, you need to degrease the devices and also clean them with sandpaper to remove various irregularities on their surfaces and better adhesion to the paint.

Before applying the coloring composition, you should remove the old coating layer, and also treat areas susceptible to corrosion with special compounds.

Preparation of tools and materials

Before removing the old layer of paint and applying a new coating, you need to make sure you have the necessary tools and abrasives on hand:

• Tassels.
• Drill brush attachments.
• Sandpaper used to remove old paint.
• Degreasing composition.
• Primers with components to protect metal from corrosion.
• Abrasive - for removing thick layers of old coating.

Features of applying paint to radiators

Acrylic enamel for radiators

In order for the final result to be what you expect, you should not only choose the right paint, carry out all the preparatory work carefully, but also apply a new composition according to the rules:

All restoration and painting work should be carried out during a heating shutdown to avoid streaks and unsightly stains

It is important to apply paint from top to bottom so that any random drips that may appear do not spoil the already treated surface. Batteries must be completely covered, including the back and inside of them.

In order to paint hard-to-reach places, there are special battery brushes that have a curved shape. It is most effective to treat the device in two thin layers to avoid unevenness. But in this case it is necessary to wait until the first applied layer is completely dry. And only after this can the next layer of paint be applied. The aesthetics of the battery will depend on how carefully the paint, oil or any other, is used. For convenience, spray cans, special rollers and brushes are often used. It is recommended to start the process from the most inaccessible places, applying the composition evenly. If the technical parameters of the radiator allow it to be removed from its hinges and completely covered with paint, then this will be the best option.

When carrying out painting work in the summer, it is necessary to keep the windows open to protect yourself from the negative effects of coloring compounds. In addition, you need to use respirators and gloves so that after finishing work on painting batteries, you do not damage the skin of your hands with various solvents when scrubbing off paint stains.

Surface preparation before painting

If the old paint remains intact, has no unevenness, and is laid in no more than three layers, it will be enough to go over the entire surface with fine-grained sandpaper. This will improve the adhesion of the new coat of paint to the surface. After this, the surface is degreased with gasoline or acetone. Everything is thoroughly cleaned again, and they move on to painting.

If the paint layer is old enough and has begun to deteriorate, you first need to clean the heating battery. It is necessary to remove all its layers until only metal remains. This can be done with sandpaper, a drill with a special attachment, or a special remover for fired paint.

After all the old coating has been removed, the remains are cleaned up. A drill with a cord brush is suitable for this. Next, thoroughly degrease the surfaces and cover them with a primer mixture. As a primer for heating systems, it is best to take the GF-021 brand. For the best protection, it is best to use mixtures designed for automobiles. But, by and large, you can use any metal product that has anti-corrosion properties. The batteries begin to be painted after the primer has completely dried.

Carrying out priming

To implement the primer, you can use the domestic composition GF-021, which is combined with MA and PF enamels. If you plan to use imported dyes, then for priming you should purchase material from the same manufacturer. Oil paint, applied in one layer over the primer, can increase the heat transfer of the battery by 5%. If more than three layers are applied, the heat transfer will decrease by 1%. Dye based on lead and aluminum will also help reduce heat transfer.

Choosing paint: which ones and why

When choosing a paint, pay attention to the label: it should contain the phrase “paint for heating radiators.” Sometimes it is written in large font, sometimes in small font in the “scope” section. If there is no such phrase, it is better to refrain from purchasing

If there is no such phrase, it is better to refrain from purchasing.

And one more thing: the manufacturer must be indicated. Some craftsmen copy the design of well-known companies almost identically. But, naturally, they “forget” to write the name of the company. If the manufacturer is not indicated, it is better not to buy paint. Otherwise, you risk getting a very persistent smell that lasts for weeks. Some people, after painting this way, saved themselves with a remover, which also does not smell like roses. They removed the recently applied layers, and only then did the smell go away.

Matte or glossy

Which paints are better for radiators: glossy or matte? There are two sides to this. On the one hand, when painting an imperfect surface with glossy paint (for example, a cast iron radiator), all the flaws “come out.” When they shine brightly, they become very noticeable. If you use matte, the appearance becomes better.

On an ideal surface it is better to use glossy or semi-gloss paints - they do not turn gray over time

But matte enamels turn grey. This happens because the surface is slightly porous (that’s why the coating is dull), and the pores become clogged with dust. That’s why it is usually recommended to use glossy or semi-gloss paint for radiators.

Paint for cast iron radiators

If you paint cast iron radiators of the MS-140 type with glossy enamel, all surface irregularities are visible: the shine enhances them even more. If you take a matte one, it will turn gray. Dead end? But no. There are several options for solving the problem. Choose the most suitable one:

• Paint with colored paint. In general, from a design point of view, white radiators look good only on white or very light walls. In all other cases, it is recommended to tint them to match the tone of the walls (or a couple of tones lighter/darker). So, if you don’t have white walls, you can paint a cast-iron radiator with colored matte paint, and not be afraid that it will turn gray over time. As one option, consider using hammer paint (see below): due to the resulting pattern, defects will not be visible. Read about decorators' recommendations for decorating radiators here.
• If you still need white paint, you can paint it matte, but accept the fact that in a couple of years you will have to repaint it.
• Another way is to level out the most noticeable holes using putty. Epoxy or polyester automotive putties are used for this. They are applied to cleaned, degreased and primed metal. After drying, sand it down, thoroughly clean the surface from dust with a dry, clean cloth, and then paint. In this case, even with gloss or semi-gloss, cast iron will look good. However, such processing will take a fair amount of time: a painstaking task. But the result is worth it.

Now paint for cast iron batteries will not be a problem for you - choose what you like best.

Paint for a cast iron battery is a difficult choice

Glossy or matte

When choosing paint for heating radiators, you need to choose what type of surface you want to get - matte or glossy. You need to choose based on the type of surface. The fact is that glossy paint emphasizes surface unevenness. Cast iron batteries are most often painted, but their surface is far from ideal. By covering it with a glossy composition, you will only emphasize its imperfection.

Matte compositions are better in this regard - they visually hide many irregularities. So this is a good option. But there is also a drawback: matte white paint quickly acquires a grayish tint. This happens due to the fact that dust and dirt get clogged into the pores, and they are wide in matte paint. This dirt is not washed out from there. The solution is a fresh coat of paint or painting in a color other than white. A smart choice is to match the paint to the color of the walls. From a design point of view, this is a better solution than white radiators.

What color enamel to paint a cast iron battery with: practical tips

To successfully eliminate problems with the choice of material for a cast iron heating radiator, it is proposed to use the following solutions:

• give preference to colored acrylic paint in a matte finish, the tonality of which is close to the shade of the covering of the walls of the room;
• choose hammer enamel for painting the radiator, the textured pattern of which allows you to level out almost all visual defects of the base;
• use white matte paint, annually updating the coating with a new layer to maintain presentability.

Another solution to the problem is the long and painstaking process of preliminary preparation of the base before painting. To do this, you need to carefully level the surface with putty, sand it and remove dust with a rag. Then you can paint the radiator with a glossy or semi-gloss version of heat-resistant enamel.

Video description

See how quickly you can restore a cast iron battery using spray paint:
Another representative of this group is hammer paint. This is the same alkyd enamel on an organic basis, but with the addition of wax, aluminum flakes and other fillers, creating an impressive hammer-chased texture on the surface that hides all irregularities well.

The most popular products of this type are Hammerite primer enamels, which can be applied directly to rust, eliminating pre-priming and anti-corrosion treatment from the technology.

HAMMERITE hammer paint for metal and rust Source images.obi.ru