Heating radiators last more than 50 years, but at the same time, their external coating will last much less. The coating can and should be restored. Do it yourself or call a specialist - it's up to you to decide. The fastest and easiest way to “spice up” is to paint the radiators.
In the Loft style, cast iron batteries harmoniously act as an element of the interior. In this case, the paint must be matched to bronze or brass. When choosing paint, you need to pay attention to its technical and operational characteristics.
When painting, it is worth remembering that some compositions increase ( oil paints), and some reduce (paints that contain metal - aluminum, lead) the heat transfer of the radiator.
The most common radiators in Soviet time there were cast iron batteries. Probably, the service life of these radiators is equal to the service life of the apartment. But they, like any thing, need care. They are not fussy to use, but appearance needs to be updated.
The preliminary step is to clean the battery from residual dust, previous coating and rust. Processing must be carried out in several ways:
After cleaning the surface of the heating device, it must be degreased. For this you can use a 1% solution ammonia, soda solution or household detergents.
Surface cast iron battery very often it has roughness and chips that need to be treated with a primer and smoothed with putty, and then primed again. The metal primer should be from the same manufacturer that you will be using the paint from.
The main criterion when choosing paint for heating radiators is its heat resistance. Most modern high-quality materials can withstand temperatures up to +80 °C. For heating radiators, this parameter should be at least 100°C. Such paints have special markings. At the same time, the paint should have greater wear resistance and not release toxic substances when heated.
To paint heating appliances, produce:
Each material has its own pros and cons. Which battery paint is best is up to you to decide. In residential areas, it is better to use paints whose solvent is water; they are completely non-toxic and odorless.
The optimal time for painting batteries is during renovations in the apartment. It is advisable to paint the radiators after the end of the heating season. If you paint during the heating season, you must close the inlet valve or thermal head of the radiator and wait until it cools down. If you paint hot battery, the paint will run in an uneven layer, and wrinkling of the surface film may also occur as a result of the solvent drying too quickly. You can paint hot radiators with special compounds, but they are much more expensive.
Before painting begins, measures must be taken to protect the floor and walls from accidental paint splashes. To do this, use unnecessary paper or fabric. If such material is not found on the farm, it is necessary to purchase construction polyethylene film. If painting is done with a spray can or with a spray gun, it is recommended to cover or move away nearby interior items.
Painting the radiator must begin with hard to reach places and various recesses. To do this, use special brushes with a curved handle.
Answering the question - how much does it cost to paint a battery? - the answer will be simple and concise - a little time and desire.
Remember that regular updates protective coating on the radiator extends their service life and the service life of the entire heating system generally.
Today, our dear reader and I have to figure out how to paint a cast iron battery. We will learn what paints can be used for painting, how to prepare the surface of a radiator, and how to apply paint to the prepared surface. Let's get started.
Before we get started, let's find out: is the result worth the effort?
Painting cast iron batteries makes no sense in three cases:
It is worth clarifying: the author is categorically against non-removable screens that cover most of the surface of the batteries, and even more so against installing heating devices in blind boxes. In addition to a sharp drop in heat transfer, the owner also faces serious problems with the accessibility of connections when eliminating leaks between sections and on the connections to the heating device.
In what cases can painting batteries - cast iron or steel - radically change their appearance?
Help: color change is typical for paints with zinc white ZnO. Since 2007, their production has been discontinued: zinc oxide has been replaced by more stable and less toxic titanium white TiO2.
Now let's find out how to paint cast iron batteries.
The main condition is the thermal resistance of the coating: in a centralized heating system, the temperature of the coolant during the peak of cold weather can reach 95 degrees. The compliance of the dye with this requirement is indicated by the inscription “heat-resistant” or “for radiators” on the packaging.
Look for the word “heat resistant” on the packaging
It is worth clarifying: cast iron radiators are used not only for water heating, but also for steam heating. In steam heating systems, the temperature of superheated steam can reach 150-400 degrees Celsius. However, in our time, such systems have been preserved only in industrial conditions, in old-built enterprises.
Here are some examples of corresponding paints:
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How to paint batteries correctly - cast iron or steel?
Some manufacturers' instructions for using paints (for example, the last two in our mini-review) directly indicate that they should be applied directly to the metal. And even if this requirement is absent, the old coating must be cleaned.
There are three reasons for this:
How to remove old paint with your own hands? Here are several methods of varying complexity.
This method has a serious drawback: heating will lead to burnout of the intersection gaskets and winding of threads on the liner to the radiator. You should only use a blowtorch or hairdryer if you are going to rebuild the radiator.
In this case, the paint on the surface completely burns out, and the petrified deposits of silt inside the vertical channels and collectors turn into scale, which can be easily knocked out of the radiator with a rubber or wooden mallet.
Captain Obviousness suggests: in this case, after annealing, the cooled radiator is rebuilt and the gaskets are replaced. Annealed nipples are unscrewed with minimal effort.
If there are grease or oil stains left on the surface of a cast iron battery that has been stripped of paint, they can be removed with any solvent (gasoline, acetone, solvent, etc.). Manufacturers of alkyd enamels usually recommend applying them over the ground; in this case, cast iron is primed with one or two layers of glyphthalic anti-corrosion primer GF-021.
Unless otherwise specified by the paint manufacturer, heating device painted cold: otherwise the coating will dry too quickly and give untidy sagging. Tool - narrow brush or spray gun; in the latter case, the battery must be removed or at least reliably protected from staining the floor and walls by covering them with polyethylene. The paint is applied in at least two thin, even layers with intermediate drying.
The video in this article will show you more clearly how to paint cast iron batteries.
Attention: if, when applying the next layer, there are drips on the battery, after drying, sand them, and then apply another layer. Drips are usually caused by paint that is too thick (not thinned before use) or applied in a thick layer. Its normal viscosity should correspond to the viscosity of liquid cream.
We hope that our material will help you restore a second youth to your old heating appliances. Good luck!
Heating radiators are an indispensable element of the house. If the paint on them is faded and swollen, then they are unlikely to decorate the house. If funds are available, old batteries can be replaced with new ones. But, if making such a significant purchase is not possible, then you can simply repaint the batteries. For this, special paint is used.
What is the purpose of paint? It is designed to protect the surface of the batteries from corrosion, give them the desired shade of color and improve their appearance. In the past, pipes and radiators were painted exclusively in White color. Nowadays, everything has changed, and batteries can be painted in any desired color. The article will discuss the choice of paint for radiators, as well as the technology for their subsequent painting.
So, to paint the surface of radiators you will need the following tool:
There are certain requirements for paints and enamels intended for painting batteries. They must protect the metal from corrosion, not turn yellow over time and withstand high temperatures.
Several types of enamels meet these requirements:
In the past, oil paints were popular. Today, such coloring compositions are used extremely rarely, because the market offers a large assortment of special enamels that are designed specifically for painting radiators. In addition, oil paints turn yellow and have a sharp unpleasant smell, and even worse, they reduce the heat transfer of the surface being painted.
The white color of radiators is traditional solution. But, if this does not suit you and you want to distinguish yourself, then the batteries can be painted in a different color. An excellent solution is to paint them in a color that matches the walls. An equally effective option is to paint the batteries in accordance with the range of colors that prevail in the interior. In this case, the heating elements will be less noticeable and will not attract undue attention.
Some masters, on the contrary, turn batteries into a masterpiece of art. They apply small designs to the radiator. These can be flowers and leaves, herringbone patterns, geometric figures. The main thing is not to overdo it and stick with the idea. Radiators in silver or bronze will look stylish. They are great for interiors in a classic style.
Children love bright and rich colors. When painting batteries in a children's room, you should abandon stereotypical views. The battery can be fun, for example, painted in the colors of the rainbow, in the form of a picket fence with painted flowers, butterflies and dragonflies.
Before you start painting radiators, they need to be properly prepared. The fact is that if you paint an untreated surface, it will quickly lose its attractiveness. In addition, uneven areas will protrude from under the painted layer. Over time, cracks will appear in these places.
Think about how to remove the old paint and how long Supplies purchase.
There are 2 ways to remove paint:
A metal brush is inserted into the drill. This allows you to effectively and quickly remove the old coating. You can cope with the task perfectly with the help of washing solutions.
Chemical solvents designed to remove old paint on batteries act only on the paint layer without destroying the metal surface.
In order not to cause harm to health, it is necessary to follow safety precautions. It is recommended to wear a respirator to protect your respiratory tract. In addition, it is necessary to ventilate the room. The washing solution is applied with a brush to the entire surface of the battery. After this, it needs to be covered with film. After about an hour, the paint is removed with a spatula.
After the layers of paint have been removed, the surface must be completely cleaned. Try to keep it as even as possible. This stage takes time and effort, but it’s worth it, because what smoother surface batteries, the more harmoniously it will fit into the interior. After completing the preparatory work, the radiator should be degreased. You can use baking soda or white spirit for this. The next step is to apply an anti-corrosion primer.
There are situations when heating radiators need to be repainted, despite the fact that they are new. Before this it is also necessary to carry out preparatory work. This includes removing dust and dirt, cleaning the surface with sandpaper and then treating with a solvent.
Removing paint using a remover:
Radiators should be painted in the warm season, when the heating is turned off. Otherwise, in some areas the paint will dry very quickly, causing it to lie unevenly and streaks to form.
Today the market offers customers paint that is designed for application to hot batteries. However, if the recommendations are not followed, the enamel will also lie unevenly.
If it is not possible to completely turn off the heating, then at least lower the temperature on the radiator you are going to paint. If you live in apartment building, where central heating works, then you will have to turn off the supply hot water, you can do this yourself or seek help from the Housing Office.
Protect your floor from possible contamination. For this purpose, you can spread paper or cloth on the floor, or newspaper. If you use brushes to paint batteries, it is important that they have soft bristles. One of the brushes should be straight, the other should be curved. This will allow you to paint hard-to-reach places. You can replace a curved brush with a small roller. The result will be the same.
The paint is applied first from the top of the radiator, movements should be directed downwards. First of all you need to paint inner surface batteries, then external. This will avoid staining your hands and therefore your clothes. The enamel is applied in 2 layers. In this case, the second one is applied only after the first one has completely dried. This ensures a smooth and uniform gloss finish.
You can paint batteries using a spray can or spray gun. For convenience, in this case it is better to remove the battery. This will allow you to evenly paint hard-to-reach areas.
Painting with a spray can filled with heat resistant paint, carried out very efficiently and quickly. If you have limited time, then this is the best option.
It is important to follow the instructions for use written on the package. This achieves best result. The main rule when spray painting is to perform a zigzag motion from top to bottom. The distance from the surface to be painted to the spray can is approximately 30 cm. To avoid staining the walls, they can be covered with film.
By correctly applying the recommendations for painting and designing radiators, you can decorate your home with a unique addition to the interior design. If you have any questions on the topic, write comments to the article. Specialists working on the site will provide you with comprehensive answers.
A quick way to turn an old cast iron battery into an antique miracle:
Before painting a heating radiator whose appearance has become unusable or does not correspond to the overall interior design, it is necessary to pay due attention to the choice of paint. Although there is a wide range of coloring compounds available on the market, not all of them are suitable for this process. In addition, there are various technologies, allowing you to get desired result.
Painting stationary heating elements is a responsible process; not only the appearance, but also the heating of the room depends on the correct execution of all actions. That is why you should take into account the recommendations of specialists who will allow you to carry out quality work.
Radiators are divided into types depending on the material used for their manufacture.
Important! Convectors, plate copper and thin-steel radiators are not painted; only removable parts are coated - casings and decorative trims.
When choosing a material suitable for heating radiators, it is necessary to pay especially close attention to its properties:
The composition (regardless of the type) can only be used if all these factors are present.
You can select a sufficient number of products that are suitable for the job.
This option is considered traditional when painting metal heating elements. The mixture has the following advantages:
The product is not without its shortcomings:
On a note! If it is necessary to carry out work quickly, auto enamels in cans are used. Special attention It is worth paying attention to the correctness and accuracy of spraying.
This variety is still found on sale, although its demand is low. This is explained by the mass negative properties, which the material has. Especially noticeable is the long drying period and the pungent odor, which has a toxic effect. Such compositions are used only in cases where there is no alternative.
This type of coloring product, or rather its polymer variety, is considered new. That is why the question arises: is it possible to paint batteries? water-based paint?
Yes, this composition is used to work with heating elements, but with all positive qualities(durability, environmental friendliness, ease of installation, lack of pungent odor) the products have certain conditions of use. They are:
Applying water-based emulsion with a spray gun allows you to evenly paint all elements of the heating radiator On a note! Water emulsion allows you to create an original designer drawing because it has a rich color palette.
This variety is considered a classic, but is rarely used. This is due to the fact that the surface acquires a metallic (silver or aluminum) color. You can make the composition yourself or buy a ready-made one. The basis of the mixture is aluminum powder.
An expensive but high-quality alternative is silicone-aluminum paint. It has the necessary parameters and creates a layer that does not crack due to thermal expansion.
To obtain the desired result, a number of nuances should be taken into account:
You can remove old paint from a battery using a special remover or mechanically using a power tool and sandpaper These simple tips will help you avoid problems in the future.
Painting batteries with your own hands occurs in stages, which allows you to perform all the steps correctly.
Depending on the application method chosen, the following will be required for the job:
Everything must be prepared in advance.
The area to be painted is especially carefully calculated. cast iron radiator, this is necessary to determine required quantity material.
In the instructions for modern heaters often the area is already indicated.
Preparation of the base includes the following steps:
When carrying out work in winter period It must be possible to disconnect from the general heating system.
Painting batteries in an apartment is carried out in different ways:
A beautiful surface can be achieved if you show imagination and deviate a little from the standard options.
Painting heating radiators is a difficult issue that arises during apartment renovation. Firstly, sometimes it is impossible to install new batteries in an old heating system. Secondly, radiators can retain their quality and functional characteristics, but at the same time have an “unpresentable” appearance. Perhaps the color of the batteries does not fit into the new interior design. Thirdly, during the renovation, the owners of the apartment may simply not have any free funds left to replace the heating radiators.
It is important!
Convectors – newest look heating equipment. Unlike heating radiators, which transmit thermal radiation from the surface, convectors generate and release heat through air circulation. Convectors cannot be painted, as this will negatively affect their heat removal. You can only paint the removable casing – the convection chamber. If the convector is obsolete, it will be more profitable to simply replace the device.
What you will need to paint the battery:
Attention!
Remember to use a respirator and ventilate the room well when cleaning the radiator.
It is important!
Before painting, be sure to turn off the heating in the apartment, since the heat from the radiator and heating pipes will contribute to the rapid drying of the paint, so that traces of the paint brush and frozen smudges will remain on the surface. You need to turn on the heating in the apartment after all heating devices have completely dried.
When choosing paints and varnishes for painting the surface of radiators, you should choose the following 3 options:
It is important!
There is an opinion that a heating device can only be painted with front side. However, it is fundamentally incorrect, since unpainted areas are susceptible to corrosion, which spreads over the entire surface of the radiator, both painted and unpainted.
