The choice of paint for the battery depends on the conditions in which the work will occur, as well as the financial capabilities of the landlord. Retailers offer an unlimited selection of different coloring formulations that differ in type of coloring matter, cost and consumer properties.
For painting metal products operating at elevated temperatures, the industry offers three main types of paint:
- water-based acrylic enamels;
- traditional acrylic enamels;
- alkyd paints.
When choosing a specific material, it is necessary to take into account the particular operating conditions of the battery, namely, the maximum temperature regime during the heating season. The temperature of the coolant in the urban network can reach 90 ° C, so the radiator paintwork must withstand such loads and at the same time maintain its appearance.
Studying the technical parameters of paint, you should pay attention to the degree of wear resistance of a particular material and the uniformity of the structure. The presence of clots, lumps and foreign objects in the paint indicates an expired shelf life or a violation of the production technology. To achieve an acceptable result with such a material will not work, a smooth and monophonic film on the surface can not be achieved.
In addition to these parameters, it is advisable to choose a paint with enhanced corrosion protection and a quick drying time. More details on the choice of paint are discussed here.
What color is better to paint and why
The color of the battery does not affect the quality of heat transfer to the room, and therefore it is unnecessary to adhere to the traditional white radiator.
What color to paint a cast-iron battery depends on the overall color scheme of the hall or kitchen. For a nursery, this can be a multi-colored, bright and even funny coloring; in the living room, the color of the radiator can be matched to the color of upholstered furniture or, conversely, this element can be distinguished in contrast to the overall tone of the wallpaper and flooring.
You can endlessly think up how beautifully to paint a heating battery, how to get a bright, designer little thing from an ordinary object. For antique cast-iron sectional batteries, a picture in the form of an accordion begs itself, and for modern bimetallic and aluminum radiators it is fashionable to use the ombre painting technology, when the dominant color is gradually displayed horizontally in semitones.
When planning a picture for a battery, you should consider how much this element will be noticeable in the overall picture of the room. If the radiator is constantly hidden by curtains or furniture, it is not worth the effort and invite expensive specialists to draw the original picture, in this case, a plain coating in the general style of the room is enough.
Calculation of the required amount of paint
Manufacturers of paint and varnish products always indicate on the packaging the paint consumption per 1 m2and therefore, knowing the total area of the surface to be painted, it is always possible to determine how much material is needed to apply one coating layer.
For new devices, this information is usually indicated in the product passport, and for older radiators and riser pipes, the painting area will have to be calculated independently.
To determine the area of the pipe, it is necessary to recall the formula for the circumference, which is equal to 2PR or the number P (3.14) times the diameter of the pipe. The resulting circumference should be multiplied by the length of the riser, which will give the desired result - pipe surface to be painted.
When determining the area of rectangular, steel, bimetallic and aluminum batteries, there will be no difficulties - it is enough to multiply the width and height of the element, but to find the area of the section cast-iron radiator, you will first have to calculate the area of one section, adding the area of the individual elements, and then multiply the result by the number of sections .
To obtain the required amount of paint, you need to find the total area that you plan to paint, multiply by the consumption rate indicated by the manufacturer on the can. If you plan to apply more than one layer, the result should be multiplied by the number of layers.
Preparation for painting
Surface preparation before painting may be required not only for the battery that has been used, but also for a new radiator that has abrasions or scratches. The main condition for high-quality painting is a thorough cleaning of the device from the previous paintwork and dirt.
You can clean the coating from metal using the following methods:
- mechanicalwhen it is necessary to remove the paint with a drill with special nozzles, a spatula, a sandpaper and a brush with a metal pile;
- chemicalwhen solvents are used to soften the old paint layer;
- thermal, using a building hair dryer, the coating is heated, after which it is easily removed with a spatula.
Before proceeding with the removal of the old coating, it is necessary to thoroughly flush the heater, since dirt and grease interfere with the effective cleaning of the surface. The treated surface is degreased and must be primed. The primer can improve the adhesion of the coating and metal, and also helps to remove small pores, aligning the painted area. Read more about preparing batteries for staining here.
Necessary materials and tools
Painting radiators begins with the preparation of the material and a suitable tool. Initially, care should be taken to acquire the appropriate type of paint job, as well as related materials. Required:
- paint in a can or in an aerosol can;
- primer for metal;
- solvent suitable for the type of paint.
For the preparatory and basic work, the following tools will be required:
- brushes straight, 50 and 100 mm wide;
- brushes with a curved handle, a width of 20 and 40 mm;
- roller, 100 mm wide, with fine pile;
- a scraper and sandpaper to remove the old coating;
- cardboard or plastic film to protect the floor and walls during paint work.
When performing work, it is recommended to use protective equipment:
- respirator;
- protective glasses;
- gloves.
Instructions for painting radiators
Before painting the heating battery with your own hands, it is advisable to study the correct sequence of actions.
To paint radiators in the apartment yourself, you need to adhere to the following algorithm:
- Surface painting is done from top to bottom.
- Before applying a new coating, the surface of the radiator should be primed and allowed to dry.
- Work begins with painting the back of the battery.
- At the next stage, with the help of a brush with a curved handle, paint over the inner fins of the radiator.
- The outer parts are painted last.
- Staining is performed twice, the final layer is applied no earlier than the first layer is completely dry.
Before applying the last coat, it is necessary to inspect the painted surface. If smudges or roughness are found, they are cleaned with fine sandpaper.
Nuances of painting pig-iron, aluminum and bimetal radiators
The process of painting old cast-iron radiators in the house is particularly difficult for beginner finishers. Before you paint a cast-iron heating battery at home, you should prepare a few brushes with curved handles, as well as several ordinary brushes of a fleitz of different widths.
The sections are painted in turn from top to bottom, starting from the inner connecting ribs.
When a decision is made to update the paintwork of aluminum or bimetallic radiators, it should be borne in mind that the manufacturer declines its warranty if the consumer independently changes the appearance of the device.
Getting quality coverage at home will be very difficult. The manufacturer produces aluminum radiators in special workshops with powder paint, obtaining a smooth and even surface.
Most often, automotive tools are used to mask defects on radiators of this type: putty for metal and auto enamel. Full painting is also best done using aerosol cans.
Can batteries be painted during the heating season?
An important factor for high-quality painting is the surface temperature of the heating device. It is not recommended to start painting heating radiators connected to the heating system, since the paint is applied to a metal surface heated to a temperature above 60 ° C, the paint dries quickly, without ensuring the required density, and uneven coloring is also possible.
In winter it is not always possible to ventilate the apartment in a quality manner. At the same time, the paint applied to the hot metal gives off a strong smell, which is difficult to get rid of for a long time. Therefore, it is best to start the process of painting the batteries in the summer, when it is possible to organize natural ventilation, and the surface of the radiators has room temperature.
How to paint a heating radiator in winter, during the heating season? In this case, you need to choose the right color composition. It is recommended to use odorless alkyd materials, or special types of water-based paints.
Spray paints are more evenly distributed on a hot surface, while the painting process is much faster than when brushing. At the end of the work, the room should be aired, but do not allow a sharp drop in temperature in the room.
In more detail, the issue of coloring in the winter heating period is considered in this article.