Your radiator will need to stay off for a few days in order to let the primer and paint fully dry. Avoid painting your radiator in the colder months when you’ll need it to be on more often.
While the paint may not stop the valves from working, it may dry and make them more difficult to turn on again once you’ve finished. For best results, avoid painting any parts that will need to move, or any openings into the radiator itself. There will likely be 2 valves on the inside of the radiator near the top that you should avoid painting over as they are used to bleed the radiator. The control valve will be on the side or top of the radiator and used to turn it on or off. If you’re unsure, avoid panting anything other than the blades and top metal of the radiator.
You can also find specialized radiator brushes designed for cleaning in between the blades of the radiator. Ask at your local hardware store or look online to find one if you will be cleaning radiators often. [4] X Research source
If your radiator is from before 1978, or you’re unsure when it was last painted, test the paint for lead before removing it. Use a lead paint test kit, which should be available from your local hardware store, to detect any traces of lead before proceeding. Lead paints need to handled very carefully, as they can be incredibly dangerous and potentially fatal if inhaled. Use a gel-based paint stripper designed for removing lead paint, or call in a professional to remove it for you safely.
This will help the primer and paint to adhere more easily and make your finished radiator look better. If you remove a lot of paint or dust from the radiator as you sand it, it may be a good idea to give it another wipe down with a clean cloth. Dust that comes off the radiator may stop your paint from adhering properly
Cover as much area around the radiator as you can, as the aerosolized spray paint will travel much further than you may expect. It’s much easier to put up drop cloths or paper than it is to repaint a whole wall!
If you begin to feel light-headed at any point during the painting process, it may be a sign that there is not enough ventilation and that you are inhaling the fumes. Stop painting immediately and call a professional to paint the radiator safely.
Make sure that the color you choose for your radiator will work with the color of the wall that it is against. Try and find a color in a similar shade to make it blend in, or choose a contrasting color to make your radiator stand out a little more.
It may help to practice using the spray paint on a scrap piece of cardboard first. This will give you a better feel of how to work with the paint before you begin on the radiator.
Keep applying coats of paint until the radiator looks the way that you want it to.
Use paint stripper to remove any drops of paint on your walls or floor. Leave the paint to dry for at least 24 hours before turning the radiator on again. However, you can remove the drop cloths and tidy the area up after around 12 hours. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when letting the paint dry.
