can you paint a radiator with hammerite

Can you paint a radiator with Hammerite?

Painting your radiators can be a great way to breathe new life into old radiators. You can transform a colour faded old radiator into pretty much any colour available, so why not? While a new radiator itself may not be expensive, getting it fitted by a plumber can be expensive and if you decide to do it yourself then it can take a long time. So painting a radiator can be a quick and easy way to transform those old radiators.

Can you paint a radiator with Hammerite?

Yes, in this step by step guide we show you how to paint a radiator using Hammerite (Hammerite Ultra to be precise). This is a water-based paint meaning it is easy to apply and also clean up after. Water-based paints can be cleaned off brushes, paint buckets etc with just the use of water, so no need for white spirit or specialist paint cleaners.

Painting a radiator with Hammerite Step by Step guide

Step 1 – Sand the radiator

Step 1 Sand
Step 1 Sand

Use sandpaper to give the radiator a quick sand down. This helps key the surface allowing the paint to adhere better. This will give a better level of finish overall which is strongly adhered to the radiator.

Step 2 – Clean the radiator

Now give the radiator a really good clean using a wet rag. Make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies, removing all the dust from the sanding you just did. You may be surprised how mucky your radiators are when you get in close and give them a good look!

Step 3 – Paint your first coat

Step 3 Paint first coat
Step 3 Paint first coat

Start adding your first coat. This version of Hammerite is very thin so it is important to add coats thinly, or else you have the risk of getting runs in your paint.

Step 4 – Paint Second Coat

Step 4 Paint Second Coat
Step 4 Paint Second Coat

Allow the paint to dry well before applying the second coat. Follow the same steps you did in the first applying coats lightly.

Step 5 – Remove the top grill

Step 5 Remove Top and Side Grills
Step 5 Remove Top and Side Grills

Remove the top grill so you can really get good coverage on it. This is one part of the radiator that you will find really hard to paint if you do not remove it. On our radiator, it had a hinge system on one side. Unclip from the other and then hinge it up to remove.

Step 6 – Wire wool the radiator

Step 6 Wire Wool the radiator
Step 6 Wire Wool the radiator

Before your final coat give the radiator a good once over with wire wool, this will scratch it up very slightly allowing your final coat to adhere really well and provide the best level of finish possible.

Step 7 –

Step 7 Paint The Grill
Step 7 Paint The Grill

Paint the grill and backplate if your radiator has one.

Step 8 – Complete!

Complete
Complete

Bask in the glory of your refurbished radiator! If you want to paint a radiator with spray paint then check out our how to paint a radiator guide.

Hammerite also offer a purpose made radiator paint, but it is only available in brilliant white. Check out our Hammerite Colour Guide for more info.

Part of our Hammerite Series

Sam Wood

Wood by name, wood by nature. I am a fully qualified, time-served, award-winning joiner with an NVQ Level 3 in Carpentry and Joinery as well as an HNC in Construction. Beyond my joinery qualifications, I have also earned a degree in building surveying. I believe these qualifications make me perfectly positioned to provide expert advice on many different areas of DIY as well as share all of the tips I have picked up in over a decade working on building sites!

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