What paint can I use on a radiator cover?
William Burgess
Updated on April 06, 2026
What paint can I use on a radiator cover?
Go ahead and paint your enamel paint onto your metal radiator covers. With this type of paint, you should actually apply it a little thicker than you would apply chalk paint. You can see close up how this area looks with just one coat of primer. Then with just one coat of white enamel paint.
What is the best paint to use on metal radiators?
Best Radiator Paints
- Hammerite 400ml Radiator Enamel Aerosol – Satin White.
- Rust-Oleum 400ml Radiator Enamel Gloss White.
- Hammerite REGAERO 400ml Radiator Enamel – Aero Gloss.
- Plasti-kote 26100 400ml Radiator Gloss – White.
- Plasti-kote 26102 400ml Radiator Satin Spray Paint – White.
- Ronseal One Coat Radiator Paint Gloss.
Do I need special paint for a radiator cover?
Since the radiator covers are metal, you’ll need to use a metal primer. Pretty much any paint will work with this kind of heating system – water and oil based paints work equally well over oil-based clean metal primer. I went with a Benjamin Moore interior latex paint that matches my trim.
Can I paint a radiator with chalk paint?
Chalk Paint adheres very well to marble, stone, wood and brick fireplaces with no undercoat required. It can also be used on radiators! Make sure the radiator or fireplace is cold before you start painting in order to prevent the paint from cracking.
Should you paint your radiator?
Radiator paint is durable and protects against everyday knocks and bumps. It can be used on primed, factory finished and previously painted radiators. If you’re painting a radiator, wait for it to completely cool down before painting so the paint doesn’t blister.
How do you paint a metal radiator cover?
To paint metal radiator covers today I am using my flat Cling On brush. Apply your white primer in the same way that you would apply any paint. Apply your white primer on the entire metal surface where we will also apply paint. I try to pay extra attention to the areas where the dark metal is exposed underneath.
What kind of primer do you use on radiator covers?
Since the radiator covers are metal, you’ll need to use a metal primer. If your radiator covers are speckled with rusty spots, you might be tempted to use rusty metal primer. Don’t do it!
What kind of paint to use on metal heater cover?
Pretty much any paint will work with this kind of heating system – water and oil based paints work equally well over oil-based clean metal primer. I went with a Benjamin Moore interior latex paint that matches my trim.
Can you use heat resistant paint on a radiator?
Those of us with forced hot water systems don’t have to worry about using heat resistant paint, since these systems don’t get very hot – water usually leaves the boiler at 180 ºF (80 ºC), but by the time it reaches the radiator, the temperature will have dropped up to 50 ºF (20 ºC), and the radiator covers will never become too hot to touch.
What is the best paint to use on the radiator?
What Paint to use for Your Radiator Top Coat? Radiator Paint. We advise you to use radiator paint if you are painting your radiator white, as other paint types can go yellow over time. Solvent-Based Paints. You can use a solvent-based paint, such as a non-drip gloss or satinwood, which are available in a wide range of colours. Clear Radiator Overcoat. Spray Paint.
How do you paint a radiator?
Coat your radiator with a single layer of spray paint. After the primer has completely dried, it’s time to paint the radiator. Follow the same method as applying the primer to evenly coat the top of the radiator. Work across each of the blades, painting one side of all of them before finishing with the other side.
Can you paint radiators?
You can also paint your radiator with oil-based interior paint and a brush. However, this method may leave brush marks and cover up details on radiators that feature decorative touches. If you have trouble removing old coats of paint, you can take your radiator to a professional to have it stripped and sandblasted.