Is it possible to paint hot radiators during the heating season – Setafi

One common repair job question is whether hot batteries can be painted. You can do this, but first you need to choose the right composition. How to do this, and how to apply paint, is described below.

Painting during heating: pros and cons

It is impossible to say for sure whether batteries can be painted during the heating season, because a lot depends on the specific paint. All compounds adhere well to the surface in the temperature range from 15 to 30 degrees Celsius. It is conditionally possible to allow the application of any composition up to + 50 ° C, but not higher.

If you study whether it is possible to paint hot radiators with paint from the point of view of the manufacturer, you need to look at the description of the drug. If the manufacturer himself answers positively, this means only a valid option. However, there is no guarantee that the composition will normally adhere to the surface - if the paint is not of very high quality, the consequences are possible:

• fast solvent evaporation process - air pollution with toxic substances;
• poor-quality coating, the formation of lumps and pores;
• the need to increase the mass consumption by 1.5-2 times.

What can and cannot be painted

In some situations, you can paint hot batteries with paint. These are special compounds based on organic polymers that can withstand temperatures up to + 100 ° C:

1. Alkyd compounds do not evaporate a strong odor, while retaining their original shades well even at high temperatures. There is no doubt whether it is possible to paint hot radiators with this composition. Paints are inexpensive and give a lasting effect.
2. Acrylic - also resistant to high temperatures. They are durable, but give a rather strong smell. Therefore, they are more often used for painting outside.
3. When studying whether it is possible to paint batteries with the heating turned on, oil formulations should also be considered. These paints are the most reliable. But they smell quite strong and dry for a very long time. Therefore, you will have to ventilate the room and wait a few days until it dries completely.
4. It is possible to paint a hot battery using automotive enamel. It is poured into aerosol cans under pressure and applied at a distance of 25-30 cm. Such a composition is resistant to high temperatures and is also very conveniently applied to the surface.

If you figure out whether it is possible to paint hot batteries with paint, you should also talk about those compositions that are strictly prohibited. These are paints based on:

• toluene;
• organic alcohols (including methyl, butyl);
• xylene.

They evaporate rather quickly and smell strongly. As a result, many dangerous substances remain in the air, which can cause headaches, dizziness and other side effects. Therefore, it is important to decide in advance which paint can be used to paint hot batteries, and how to do it correctly.

Carrying out calculations and preparing materials

It is clear that you first need to decide on a specific type of paint and manufacturer. It is advisable to study customer reviews in order to purchase a really high-quality composition. Painting hot radiators begins with the calculation of the required amount of composition and the preparation of improvised means. When planning work, one should proceed from the consumption of 250 ml per battery, which consists of 8 fragments.

And it is best to take even with a margin. For example, 300 ml is enough to paint a hot battery. If you use acrylic compositions, the consumption increases by 40-50%. Thus, for 1 radiator it is better to take a jar of 500 ml.

You also need to decide in advance how to paint a hot radiator. To do this, you will need the following tools and materials:

• brush (you can also use an electric drill with a brush attachment);
• rags;
• sandpaper;
• respirator;
• 2 small brushes (bristles should be stiff);
• room fan;
• disposable gloves.

You can preliminarily conduct a test - before painting a hot radiator, apply a layer on the coil in the bathroom and see how well the paint fits. If it is even, there is no "ripple" or "crust", you can proceed to the preparatory and then to the main work.

Preparation

As already mentioned, some types of compositions can really paint batteries during the heating season. It is not recommended to start work immediately, because first you need to prepare the surfaces. The main steps are:

1. Wipe the radiator from dust and dirt with a damp cloth. If necessary, wash with soap and dry.
2. Inspect the surface for signs of corrosion.
3. Next, remove the old coating using a scraper with sandpaper. Before this, the surface can be treated with a washing solution (100 g of soda ash, 50-70 g of slaked lime per 10 liters of hot water).
4. Treat the surface with a primer. This is especially important if the battery is old and has many small pores. If the radiator is relatively new, this step can be skipped.
5. Lay a plastic film on the bottom (on the floor under the battery).

Main works

Now it’s clear whether hot batteries can be painted with acrylic paint. It remains to understand how to do the job well:

1. Dilute the composition exactly according to the instructions.
2. Apply it first to hard-to-reach corners. For this, brushes are suitable, the holders of which are curved.
3. Then paint the accessible (outer) parts. To do this, use a roller or a wide brush. Moreover, they slide in a downward direction to prevent the formation of smudges.
4. Wait until the initial layer dries, for this it is better to ventilate the room.
5. Apply the second layer in the same way.

There is no doubt whether it is possible to paint heating radiators hot. Indeed, if necessary, this is allowed, but only with the use of a special composition. Preliminary preparatory work is carried out, after which layers are applied in hard-to-reach and then in open places.