How Do You Refinish Old Baseboard Radiators?
Before you attempt to refinish your old baseboard radiators, you should understand some important points. Ordinary acrylic latex and oil-based paints are not appropriate for radiators, which generate relatively high amounts of heat. You must choose a special type of coating or you may end up with eventual paint failure. In addition, since radiators are composed of metal, a material ill-suited for adhesion, you must pre-treat the radiator surface with a special type of acidic primer. Turn off the heater and wait for the radiator to cool. Clean the old baseboard radiator with a trisodium phosphate cleanser, using a coarse sponge. Rinse the radiator with damp rags and dry it with clean cloth towels. Protect areas around the old baseboard radiator from paint overspray by covering them with masking paper and professional painter’s tape. Cover the floor with a fabric drop cloth. Coat the old baseboard radiator with galvanized metal etching spray primer. Keep the spray nozzle about 8 inches f
