Welcome to my comprehensive guide on finding the best paint for radiators. Radiators play a crucial role in keeping our homes warm and cosy, but they certainly don't have to be an eyesore whilst doing so.
Whether you just wish to freshen up a tired old radiator or add a splash of personality to a newly installed one, choosing the right radiator paint can make all the difference to a good finish or an okay finish.
Let's explore the various radiator paints and brands available, considering factors such as durability, heat resistance, and finish.
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Can't Wait? The Winner of Best Radiator Paint is...
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Hammerite Satin White Enamel Radiator Paint 500ml |
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I'm now going to share my top 7 radiator paints with the pros and cons of each, so you can make your own informed decision to pick the best one for your needs, or simply go with my top recommendation!
Johnstone's Water Based White Satin Radiator Paint 750ml
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Johnstone's Water Based White Satin Radiator Paint 750ml
Pros
- Water-based formula makes it quick drying and non-yellowing
- Can be used on hot water pipes
- Doesn’t require an undercoat
- Low odour
- Cheapest being reviewed
Cons
- May require more than one coat
- Less favourable customer reviews
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This high-performance Johnstone's radiator paint is a water-based formula that allows for quick drying and ensures a non-yellowing finish. Perfect for hot water pipes without the need for an undercoat, saving me time and effort.
With impressive coverage of 7m2 per tin, it will efficiently transform your radiators. What's more, the low odour formulation makes radiator painting a pleasant experience.
Surfaces are touch dry in just 1-2 hours, giving your room a fresh look without the wait.
Ronseal White Satin Radiator Paint 250ml
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Ronseal White Satin Radiator Paint 250ml
Pros
- Guaranteed to stay white
- No strong smell
- Chip and heat resistant
- No primer needed
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Reports of Watery consistency
- May require more than one coat
- High price compared to most others
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This Ronseal radiator paint impressively maintains its white hue, ensuring a clean and fresh appearance. Users will appreciate its low odour, making the painting process more comfortable.
Its chip and heat resistance properties are noteworthy, ensuring durability in various conditions. Another benefit is that no primer is needed, simplifying the application process.
With an easy and quick 30-minute drying time, it saves time on the project. However, there have been reports of a watery consistency, which might require careful application for the best possible finish. Some users found that multiple coats were needed for a perfect paint job.
Hammerite Satin White Enamel Radiator Paint 500ml
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Hammerite Satin White Enamel Radiator Paint 500ml
Pros
- Odour blocking formula
- Designed to resist yellowing
- Prevents the formation of rust
- Good price
Cons
- Reports of Watery consistency and Yellowing after a few months
- May require additional coats
- Smelly odour a possibility
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This satin finish white Hammerite radiator paint features an odour-blocking formula, creating a more pleasant painting experience. However, some users mentioned a lingering, smelly odour, which may be a concern for some users.
It should also resist yellowing, but again there have unfortunately been instances of yellowing occurring after only a few months, which is something to bear in mind. Additional coats could also be necessary to achieve the desired coverage and finish, which could be down to the reports of a watery consistency with this satin paint.
To finish on a positive note, the paint prevents the formation of rust on radiators, adding to its protective qualities and surfaces become touch dry within 4-6 hours, allowing for faster project completion.
Wilko Quick Dry White Satin Enamel Radiator Paint 250ml
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Wilko Quick Dry White Satin Enamel Radiator Paint 250ml
Pros
- Hardwearing stain and scuff resistant finish
- Specially formulated to stays white
- Odour blocking formula
- Touch dry in 30 minutes
Cons
- Some reports of Watery consistency
- Most expensive of the bunch
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Wilko radiator paint boasts a hardwearing stain and scuff-resistant finish, ensuring longevity and durability for your radiators. Users will appreciate its specially formulated feature that helps maintain a pristine white appearance.
The odour-blocking formula enhances the painting experience by minimising strong smells during application. With a quick drying time of just 30 minutes, the paint allows for efficient project completion. However, there have been some reports of a watery consistency, which might require careful application for a good overall finish.
Overall, the paint offers excellent protective properties and convenience for radiator refurbishment.
Blackfriar Brilliant White Radiator Paint 500ml
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Blackfriar Brilliant White Radiator Paint 500ml
Pros
- Heat-resistant to 150ºC/300ºF
- Non-yellowing
- Fast-Drying
- Can be used on storage heaters
Cons
- Can leave brush strokes
- High price compared to most others
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This Blackfriar radiator paint is formulated to be tough and durable, ensuring a long-lasting finish. With heat resistance up to 150ºC/300ºF, it offers reliable performance even under high temperatures.
Users will appreciate its non-yellowing properties, keeping the radiators looking fresh over time, while the fast-drying allows less waiting between coats.
Additionally, it is versatile enough to be used on other metal surfaces such as storage heaters, adding to its application possibilities. However, it's worth noting that some users reported the possibility of visible brush strokes, requiring careful application techniques to achieve a smooth finish.
Overall, the paint presents a solid choice for enhancing the appearance of your radiators.
Rustins Quick Drying Gloss Radiator Enamel 250ml
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Rustins Quick Drying Gloss Radiator Enamel 250ml
Pros
- Heat-resistant
- Touch Dry in 30 Minutes
- Can be used for touching up white appliances
- Odour blocking formula
Cons
- Watery consistency which can leave brush strokes
- Reports of numerous coats being required
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The Rustins quick-drying radiator enamel paint has the benefit of heat-resistant properties, ensuring it withstands high temperatures effectively. With a quick 30-minute touch-dry time, it allows for efficient project completion. An added benefit is its versatility, as it can also be used for touching up white appliances. The odour-blocking formula minimises strong smells during the application process, which is always a bonus.
On the negative side, some users have reported that this gloss paint has a watery consistency, which can result in visible paint brush strokes, requiring extra care when applying it. It's also important to note that achieving optimal coverage and a professional finish may necessitate applying numerous coats.
151 Coatings White Gloss Radiator Enamel 180ml
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151 Coatings White Gloss Radiator Enamel 180ml
Pros
- Tough finish that prevents rust
- Can be used for touching up white goods
- Stays white and does not yellow with heat
- Odour blocking formula
Cons
- Cannot be used on oil-filled electric radiators
- Has a strong smell
- Paint has a runny consistency
- May require multiple coats
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This 151 Coatings radiator paint purports to deliver a tough and durable finish that effectively prevents rust formation on radiators. It's versatile enough to be used for touching up white goods, adding to its usefulness. Users will like the fact that it should maintain a white appearance without yellowing, even under high heat conditions.
The odour-blocking formula minimises odours during application, though some customers have reported a strong smell despite this feature. It's also worth being aware that the paint has a runny consistency, which might require careful application and multiple coats for perfect coverage.
Despite these considerations, the paint offers protective qualities and versatility for painting radiators and appliance refurbishment.
My Final Thoughts
Choosing the best radiator paint can elevate the aesthetic appeal of your home while also ensuring long-lasting protection for your radiators. From heat-resistant and non-yellowing formulas to quick-drying solutions and pricing, the radiator paints listed cater to various needs and budgets.
While some metal surfaces may require extra care during application due to the paint's consistency, the result is often still worth the extra effort. But before making a final decision, consider the other factors that I have highlighted such as paint consistency, odour-blocking capabilities and compatibility with other types of heating fixtures.
Frequently Asked Questions
What kind of paint do you use on radiators?
For radiators, it is essential to use high-quality, heat-resistant radiator paint or metal paint, whether that be tinned or spray paint. This specialist paint is designed to be completely heat resistant and withstand the high temperatures radiators can reach, while also providing a durable and long-lasting finish.
Look for water-based formulas that dry quickly, resist yellowing, and offer chip and scuff resistance. Additionally, consider paints with odour-blocking capabilities to enhance the painting experience.
Should I paint radiator with brush or roller?
When deciding whether to paint a radiator with a brush or roller, consider the size and intricacy of the radiator's design. For radiators with detailed patterns or hard-to-reach areas, a brush will be more suitable, allowing for precise application.
On the other hand, if the radiator has a relatively smooth surface and a larger area to cover, a roller can expedite the process and provide a more even coat. Both methods can achieve satisfactory results, so it ultimately depends on your personal preference and the specific characteristics of the radiator you're working with.
Why are most radiators painted white?
As the colour white is very good at reflecting light and heat, the white surfaces of radiators are very proficient at doing the job that they are designed for. Black and other dark colours have the opposite effect and therefore are not the best colour choice for radiators.
There are also practical and aesthetic reasons as well. White is a neutral and versatile colour that complements a wide range of interior designs, making it an obvious choice for most radiators. It helps them to blend seamlessly into the background and prevents them from becoming distracting focal points.
Do you paint radiators hot or cold?
It is recommended to only ever paint radiators when they are stone cold, rather than warm or hot. Painting a hot radiator will cause the paint to dry too quickly, leading to an uneven finish and possible paint peeling.
Painting a hot radiator can also be hazardous as the paint may emit fumes or smoke due to the high temperatures. Wait for the radiator to cool down completely before starting the painting process.
Author: Matthew Chiappini
