Why are you told to use radiator paint than using your average gloss paint to paint radiators?!?!?

Does radiator paint have a gloss effect?





Any advise please...Why are you told to use radiator paint than using your average gloss paint to paint radiators?!?!?
its the heat u Muppet!


ordinary gloss soon yellows due to the prolonged exposure to heat yes radiator paint is glossyWhy are you told to use radiator paint than using your average gloss paint to paint radiators?!?!?
If you lightly rub won (paper grade P120), apply an oil-based ordinary undercoat and then a gloss coat there will be no problem. It will not blister, fall off or smell everytime the heating is turned on. It will be fine. After 10 years it may go yellowish or it may dull sooner. You can also get the oil-based gloss in the same colour as the walls to blend in. Use a half-way decent paint like Dulux and not cheap stuff.





If the spray finish on your radiators is in good condition don't paint it. The brush finish won't look as good.





Radiator paint is a stronger more heat resistant paint that will not yellow so quick, but it is also more difficult to apply to a good finish for a DIY painter. Most off the time there is no real benefit or need to use it.
A radiator is made of different kinds of metals - like copper tubes, zinc plates, aluminium foils and MS sheets, with preferably brass lid or zinc coated lid. copper tubes carry coolent and water which keeps cirulating through the honey comb design so as to cool. A radiator is designed to dissipate heat. Ordinary enamels will not adhere to it and it will peel off.
Radiator paint has better heat stability and will hold its colour better. Spray-on radiator paint is easy to use (just mask the taps and things you don't to spray) and gives a pleasing effect. The one I used was gloss .... except when I sprayed a hot radiator. This caused the solvent to evaporate too quickly and left a dull, stippled effect.
I dont know why, it may be a sales ploy... Ive always used gloss paint on my radiators and it never blisters and they turn out great.





another similar reason is when I bought the expensive Tile paint thats always advertised it was the worst buy every... so I tried my favourite gloss paint again and the tiles look brilliant. :)
basically radiator paint does not contain as much lead as this is what will give a smell when a it gets hot.


the lead content of most gloss paints as been reduced over the last few years so almost all good gloss paints will suffice nowadays


so you really dont have to use radiator paint ordinary gloss is good enough.


always leave the radiator off for at least 24 hours or more after painting
I wouldn't use ordinary gloss due the awful smell you would get each time it warmed up. Nowadays you can buy diy store own brand 'everywhere' paint which 'does exactly what it says on the tin', walls, wood, metal and great for radiators and in loads of colours too.
Regular gloss paint is not heat-resistant. Special paint for engines and radiators are specially designed to resist heat damage. There may be some gloss-type heat resistant paints, available, just check at auto paint supply stores, especially those who deal in refurb of older cars.
I asked this question long ago and I was told to use a heat resistant primer also one that works well with rust ... Rustolium is good I heard. I used it and so far so good....I did use a primer first ...Just ask for sure at the store there are all kinds of things and things are always changing ..I do know it should be heat resistant though....GOOD LUCK! I think there is one called Krylon or something like that.
i've used normal gloss and satin for 10+ years and its always been fine, no blistering or peeling


rub down rad finish lightly, treat any rust, metal primer if you do treat rust, paint when rad is cold and off, leave for a couple of days
My guess would be the immense difference in heat is the reason..





The paint for radiators is probably more expensive, to make sure that it can handle heating up and cooling down all the time.
I don't see the problem with using gloss paint,always done it,and is easier to apply than rad paints (con) I've found. Just rub down old paint and rust, prime it and gloss when cold - stays white for years!
Gloss paint reduces the efficiency of radiators....Rad enamel is thinner and does not have the same effect as gloss....Thats why it was created...
because radiator paint is specially made for the heat of the radiator and your average gloss paint is not
Radiator paint is more heat resistant and does not blister when the radiators are on....it generally does have a gloss effect.
My feelings would be is that radfiator paint is a heat and chemical,corrision proof paint while generic gloss paint wont cover any of these problems.
Rustoleum makes a high heat paint in a couple of colors so you are no longer confined to using the silver color anymore.
Radiator paint is supposed to last longer and some say no smell when radiators first start up after paining
I've always used ordinary gloss without any problems. Radiator paint is a rip off.
i'm not too sure as to why you shouldn't, but my hallway radiator has been glossed and my bedroom spray painted silver for about a year and i've had no problems....hope this helps :)
probably because radiators are made of metal and they heat up. i would use what is recommended and do as you're told
radiator paint is formed to withstand high temperatures
i always use average gloss
No, it is a high heat paint. Ordinary paint would blister off.
It`s the HEAT
burns off