Painting your radiator can offer many benefits.

Not only can it enhance the overall appearance of the room. It allows you to match the radiator with the colour scheme or decor, creating a more cohesive and visually pleasing environment.

Like all painting projects, the correct preparation key, perhaps more so when you are painting a radiator.

But which colour to choose? The options really are endless.

A traditional white radiator gives a classic look, and chances are you will have them in your home. A fresh coat of paint can make all the difference to a room, and be just as impactful as painting it a colour.

Grey is hugely versatile and extremely popular at the moment. It is perfect for creating a contemporary look in ay room.

Another popular trend at the moment is matching your radiator to your wall colour. It is a great way to hide your radiators, but when done correctly it can look stunning!

Prepare the area

Before you start lay down a dust sheet or some newspapers around the radiator to protect the surrounding floor or walls from paint splatters. You may also want to use painter’s tape to mask off any areas you don’t want to paint, such as valves or pipes.

Turn the heating off

It might seem obvious, but make sure your turn the heating off and let the radiator cool down fully. Having a warm radiator will not help the paint dry quicker, it will only cause you problems with blistering and dripping.

Clean it

Clean the radiator to remove dust and dirt. Radiators can get pretty grubby, and any dust or grease will stop the paint adhering properly, so make sure to wipe them down with a degreaser or warm soapy water and let it dry.

Sand it

Lightly sand the surface for better paint adhesion. We suggest using a light-weight sandpaper, 120 grade, to buff off any small bumps from the old paint.

Prime it

If your radiator has bare metal exposed, you should apply a heat-resistant primer prior to painting.

Paint it

Apply the paint evenly using a synthetic brush in a vertical motion. You should only need two coats of paint but leave your first coat to dry completely before applying your second. Remember it is better to apply two thin coats over one thick coat.

Ensure the paint has fully dried before turning the heating back on to prevent damage to your paint. We suggest leaving at least 24 hours before turning it back on.

Image: Tikkurila