Removing paint from radiators.

If there is a Harbor Freight near you, pick up a cheap sandblaster. If you don't have a compressor, borrow or rent one. What about Paint stripper? Bix? the orange smelling stuff. I would not use fire or flame, there are gaskets on some types in between the sections. Also beware of lead paint if you go sanding or wirebrushing. Mine here where painted, only one coat though, so i scraped off most of it and then painted with silver paint, real watery stuff, very old quart of paint so i can't say what name.

stokerscot wrote:So after the paint comes off what is the preferred replacement. Aluminum Paint. Hi temp. Primer. Phos etch and then,,,,,, Scott

In terms of radiating efficiency metallic paint is worst. Any color is ok , the rougher the paint surface the better. Satin will radiate better than gloss.

Richard

stokerscot wrote:So after the paint comes off what is the preferred replacement. Aluminum Paint. Hi temp. Primer. Phos etch and then,,,,,, Scott

Could you powder coat them?

ErikLaurence wrote:Breathing vaporized lead makes you stupid pretty fast.

It can make you dead pretty fast. A local guy did that a few years ago while casting lead balls for his muzzle loader. Only had to do it once -- still dead.

Dark colors radiate best black, forest green...
Powdercoat could work if it flexes well...

Very close - C-100 8 Speed - in progress

I have B-100 8 speed and a 417-8 mowers,blowers,and front plow. http://whtractor.15.forumer.com/index.php

Poconoeagle wrote:8-) Very close - C-100 8 Speed - in progress

I have B-100 8 speed and a 417-8 mowers,blowers,and front plow. http://whtractor.15.forumer.com/index.php

Kewl video. I liked the one with duellys. The ones with legs weren't half bad, either

The high HP custom pullin ones are the coolest. you know us rube goldberg graduates....

I know this is an old thread but I am looking for the proper paint to paint my "new to me" cast iron radiators with? I found a local guy that sand blasts them for $10.00 each. I plan on painting one with Rutland black stove paint. That said I have another large one that I would like to match my latex red wall. Can oil based paint work on radiators or will it just crack off? A friend of mine suggested auto motive paint.

Thanks,
Glenn

Rustoleum makes a high temp paint--I'd look & see if I could match anything close there. I used it on my Chev. trucks oil pan & it's worked well.

grobinson2 wrote:I know this is an old thread but I am looking for the proper paint to paint my "new to me" cast iron radiators with? I found a local guy that sand blasts them for $10.00 each. I plan on painting one with Rutland black stove paint. That said I have another large one that I would like to match my latex red wall. Can oil based paint work on radiators or will it just crack off? A friend of mine suggested auto motive paint.

Thanks,
Glenn

Cast iron "Radiators" actually use convection as there primary heat transfer medium. Surface texture/finish will have little effect on the radiation as long as the paint isn't so thick that it insulates the metal.

What are you planning to run your system at? If it is a steam system you may need a paint that can handle up to around 220-230 deg F. If you are running hot water, then 180 is the norm. Rarely should you need more than 180 deg. water to CI radiators.

Go to a paint store like Sherwin Williams and ask what they would recommend. The people at the big box stores are not versed in special applications. Spend a few extra bucks on a gallon of quality paint.

Sometimes latex paint can be more flexible that oil based paints. This is important on a radiator that constantly expands and contracts from heating and cooling.

Thank you for the responce guys. Not to be rude, but I have personaly seen what happens when you use latex on cast iron... That won't be happening here. I think I am going to go the auto paint rout as I can not find the color I need in hi temp paint.

Thanks again,
Glenn

Try Absolute Powder Coating in St Marys Pa They can blast and powder coat and do top quality work.

I would love to get them powder coated but every one I have spoken too, (both here and in the UK) have said to never powder coat a cast iron radiator that is not brand new and still in sections. As far as blasting my local Amishmen's price of $10.00 is hard to beat.
Glenn

grobinson2 wrote:Thank you for the responce guys. Not to be rude, but I have personaly seen what happens when you use latex on cast iron... That won't be happening here. I think I am going to go the auto paint rout as I can not find the color I need in hi temp paint.

Thanks again,
Glenn

No problem on latex in your own opinion. IMHO high temp paint is not needed. FYI, commerical latex paint formulations have come a long way and sometimes are prefered over oil now. I am not talking cheap homeowners crap. I've made that mistake myself too many times.

The really good oil based stuff is not available to non-professionals, at least in New York.