Replies

1. 
   VaTom | May 23, 2004 06:04pm | #1

   Hoping someone might have some tips on what materials to finish the old radiators with for the coming years of service???

   Ooh, ooh, me too.  Except mine are recycled ones to go into a new house.  I was thinking aluminum paint.  And no radiator covers like I used to frequently make in Denver.

   PAHS Designer/Builder- Bury it!

1. 
   EricPaulson | May 24, 2004 12:59am | #2

   Aluminum Paint. Done, finished.

1. 
   slimjim | May 24, 2004 01:15am | #3

   I bought salvage Victorian rads, they're really ornate w/lots of scroll work. I used a tip for a power washer that swirls  the water around..it removes paint  twice as fast as a regular tip.

   Then, sprayed w/ rustoleum, oil of course. They came out perfect.

   Brushing radiators is torture. Definitely spray 'em.

2. 
   rjgogo | May 24, 2004 07:14pm | #11

   "Aluminum Paint. Done, finished."

   Just did three that way,  Power washer, then Aluminum paint with a mini roller.  Look just like original.  Mine were clean on the inside but it is a closed hot water system.    I am not a good enough sprayer to get into the little narrow nooks and crannies with out runs, and I don't know how anyone could.  They were pretty deep.  The mini roller reaches in just fine.  

   As for power coating it would get everywhere but how are you going to touch up after the reinstall?  Gotta get the pipes coming up from the floor and the valve and elbow.  You are going to get scratches no matter how careful you are.  

   The whole Chemical bath/powder coating thing seems to be a costly proposition for pretty similar results that don't even address the supply aesthetics. 

    

2. 
   MarkH | May 24, 2004 04:39am | #4

   They can be refinished a number of ways, but be glossy. I've seen them done in bronze, copper, gold, silver (aluminum) etc. There is a thought that these colors promote heat transfer, but I'm not convinced. I like a creamy white myself.

3. 
   SRToolguy | May 24, 2004 04:49am | #5

   EMan, those old radiators may look cool and in fact they probably will be. They are extremely inefficient. If you have the bucks you can replace them with new radiators that look just like the old ones except that your heating costs will drop dramatically. You might even be eligible for a energy rebate.

   Alternatively, have the old buggers powder coated and never mess with them again.

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy

1. 
   rich1 | May 24, 2004 06:15am | #6

   First, is it steam or hot water?If it is steam, a metallic paint actually reduces the heat output of the rad. There is an article over at The Wall about painting rads.  I would assume that there would be a similar effect with hot water rads.

   I'm not sure that changing the rads to another heat emitter will gain any efficiency.And the cost of the conversion will probably have a long payback.

2. 
   J_Eman | May 24, 2004 01:50pm | #7

   Tool Guy - Hey, thanks for your reply to my question about painting radiators. I was wondering though....you mentioned that the radiators might be inefficient and suggested new replicas...what is the mechanical design that makes the new ones more likely to save on the energy. Green building/methods is a concern of mine and since you sound pretty knowledgeable about the rad's, I thougth I might pick your brain a little more?

   Thanks!

   Eman

4. 
   Egg | May 24, 2004 02:44pm | #8

   First step find a powder coater who will do this kind of work.  Look in the industrial section of the yellow pages.  They can also suggest a stripper.

   Next clean and strip the old ones.  Check local industrial strippers, salt brine, chemical or burn off.  Burn off will probably be the choice.  They will place the radiator in a large oven to slowly burn off the old paint.  The fumes will go through an afterburner up to 1200 F to further burn off the bad stuff.  Out will come a radiator without paint and plenty of ash.  Power washing follows.  Most can then apply a light coat of water soluble oil for limited protection.

   Try to get them from stripping to paint as quickly as possible.  Rust.

   Preplan who will powder coat your radiator, they might even be able to do the stripping in house.  They should also have inline an iron phosphate pretreatment prior to paint.  Powder coat colors come in just about anything you want, however, the setup is the major cost and the minimum purchase of powder is the other factor.  Usually 50 # are the norm with a cost starting around $3.00/#.  Tiger will supply smaller quantities in many colors but cost will be more.  Epoxy is a great primer but will chalk when exposed to UV, stick with a Polyester powder.  If you can accept the common colors the powder coater uses you will greatly reduce time, and cost.

5. 
   MikeWalsh | May 24, 2004 03:45pm | #9

   What about prep for the inside of the radiator?  Assuming it will be put back into service.

   Wouldn't there be a lot of scale buildup to clean out?  Isn't this the time to do it?

6. 
   csnow | May 24, 2004 05:47pm | #10

   Though bright metallic colors are common, it is a myth that they promote heat transfer.  They actually reflect the heat back!  Black is best for heat transfer.

   http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=38