How to paint heating pipes: we select the paint

Gusevsky Andrey Anatolyevich

How to paint heating pipes

How to paint heating pipes will depend on the heating temperature and the material of the pipe production. After all, how to paint copper heating pipes is not at all suitable for plastic or cast iron.

So we’ll talk about the topic of painting today. Also on the video in this article and photo you can get additional information you need.

Rules for painting heating systems

All work is completely done by hand. Then its price will not be significant. There is nothing complicated. You just have to follow some rules. It is generally accepted that the painting of heating systems is not required more often than once every 5-7 years, but this is only subject to the observance of the process technology and the correct choice of dye.

• Proceed with pipe painting (see How to paint heating pipes correctly) and batteries preferably closer to the end of all other repairs.
• Protect the floor and walls from paint splashes. As for the color of the paint, the classic white enamel has long ceased to be considered the best option.
• It is better to give preference to a dark color, because it will pass heat much more efficiently.

Painting procedure:

• If there are no complaints about the existing paint layerlying flat and without cracks, then a normal update, that is, painting on top of the existing layer, is enough;
• If an existing layer comes off and cracks, and also forms a bulge, then the paint is either removed or sanded with coarse emery paper until the surface is smooth;
• If previous layers of paint are peeling off, then they should be completely removed (see How to remove old paint from heating batteries), then prime the surface and paint.

What need to do

Before applying the dye, be sure to prime the plane:

• The primer is applied exclusively to a clean surface, therefore, after removing the layers of the previous paint, the pipes should be thoroughly washed, wiped with a rag and dried. It will also not be amiss to degrease, any solvent is suitable for this.
• When the surface of the heating systems is completely dry, we begin to prime. The primer will also take some time to dry (faster or longer - depending on the type of primer).
• Next, go directly to the painting. We will use only heat resistant paints. For example, alkyd enamel perfectly meets this requirement. What distinguishes it from ordinary enamel is that it is very easy to apply and will not dry for long.
• After drying the primer, apply two layers of enamel. This will be more convenient to do with a roller or spray. Each layer must be allowed to dry (approximately 6-7 hours). Painted pipes in the near future can begin to operate.

What will help to choose the right dye

In any home, the heating system is an integral part of architecture. Of course, it requires some care. It is important to protect its elements from the influence of various factors, so that the system lasts a long time and does not cause problems. And how to paint heating pipes is of great importance.

Some people wonder whether it is worth painting the pipes, especially if they are not visible and they do not carry any decorative zest. The answer is worth it! The main function of the protective coating is corrosion prevention. Also, a correctly selected paint tone (darker tones) will increase the heat transfer of the heating element.

Attention: At the present stage, there are types of heating systems that already have a protective layer, but experts believe that such installations require painting anyway.

• The fluid used in heating systems can heat up to hundreds of degrees. This means that protective coatings primarily require resistance to high temperatures and moisture, maintaining strength and the original color. In this case, the dye must be safe for human health and not have an unpleasant chemical smell.
• When choosing a paint, it is important to rely on the numbers of the maximum possible temperature of water or other liquid used in the heating system.
• Coatings with low strength, not intended for heating systems, will quickly begin to peel off, which will constantly require additional costs for the next painting of the pipe or radiator. Even if the tool initially seemed cheaper, in the end you still have to pay at least twice.
• On the building materials market you can find a lot of coatings for various purposes, properties, advantages of both our and foreign production. Their price depends on the composition, level of heat resistance and brand.
• In domestic coolants, the temperature reaches about ninety degrees. This allows you to save on radiator paint, buy ours instead of European.
• Imported protective coatings, by the way, do not lose their properties even at temperatures exceeding 150 degrees. The most popular local representatives who meet the quality requirements and at the same time adequate price are PF-115 type enamel paints (see The better to dilute the paint pf 115) Enamel based on silicon KO-168 is also suitable. But oil paint changes color with strong heating, so it is not widely used.

Range of protective coatings for heating systems

In view of the above, the paint for the radiator or pipe should be selected according to their characteristics (type and maximum temperature of the heating medium, metal of the heating system, its location). In accordance with this, the following protective coatings can be distinguished.

Choose the right dye

So:

• A pretty good option is the choice of alkyd enamel. On the market, it has a wide range of palettes, which over time does not lose color, is suitable for coating heating systems, can withstand temperatures of a hundred degrees or more.
• Thanks to this thermal stability, it can be applied directly to a working radiator. This turns out to be very convenient when it is not possible to turn off the heating yourself. The main disadvantage of this enamel is the persistent specific smell, which lasts from the beginning of painting until the coating completely dries out, can be present when the heating system is very hot.
• A variant of alkyd enamel is hammer enamel. When using it, you can get the effect of heterogeneous staining. It will perfectly hide all surface defects.
• More Advanced Alkyd Resins You can color objects that heat up to 400 degrees.
• An alternative to alkyd enamel are water-dispersion paints. They are based on ordinary water and no organic dyes. These coatings are odorless, do not fade in the sun, dry quickly, and even an amateur in the paintwork can paint the pipe with them. Such dyes are well suited for coating batteries in children's rooms, bedrooms due to their environmental friendliness and fire-fighting properties. In addition, with the right coating technique, the next time you will have to repaint it only after 25-30 years.

Attention: However, water-based paint is relevant only if the temperature of the coolant does not exceed 100 degrees. In hotter conditions, the coating will begin to crack.

There are nuances and application:

• In the heat, the dye dries too quickly, in high humidity - too slowly, which causes its problems with painting in even layers, and the rain will completely wash it off or leave a lot of stains and smudges.
• You should also properly prepare the surface for subsequent coating, primer it. On this protective coating all defects and irregularities are visible.
• One of the representatives of water-dispersion coatings suitable for heating systems is acrylic paint. It can be diluted with water or alcohol to obtain the desired shade. You can choose a glossy or matte texture. True, you need to consider that dried acrylic looks a little different, it can "sit down".
• It is better to wash the brushes after painting immediately. You can use a spray gun. If you add a thickener, then acrylic can be applied as a paste.
  A completely different group is silicone paints. Due to its composition, this paint is able to withstand temperatures of 1200 degrees. It is usually used as a base for heat-resistant sealants.
• It is necessary to distinguish between acrylic paint and acrylic enamel. The latter is created on organic solvents and not water, here it is similar to alkyd enamel. The smell when painting is present to her, but disappears as soon as the battery dries. And when the radiator is heated, the smell does not return. The color palette of enamel of this composition is quite diverse. The hue does not change when heated, it lasts a long time.

Experts recommend

Any work likes a rational approach, including painting the heating system.

In order to do this professionally, with the least expenditure of effort, energy and money, you should take into account the advice of those who understand this:

Paint application

• Before painting, you need to evaluate the heating system, so that you choose the right coating that meets all the requirements of the latter.
• The next step is preparation for painting: remove rust and old paint, clean to a metal base, degrease the surface as much as possible. Apply the coating only at least six hours after stripping the metal, after using the primer. It can be called the basis for paint, which ensures even application and better fixing of the coating. Otherwise, the elements of the heating system will quickly rust.
• The primer should match the structure of the future coating. For sometimes immediately choose it and paint for pipes of the same manufacturer. However, in the case of coating with anti-corrosion paints, which, incidentally, are able to withstand heating up to six hundred degrees, a primer is not required.

Caution: Plastic pipes should only be cleaned by chemical means. Machining will definitely ruin their material. But for pipes of non-ferrous metal, on the contrary, mechanical methods are recommended.

• Nevertheless, despite the unique properties of alkyd enamels, it is better to paint radiators and pipes when they have completely cooled, so as not to repaint stains and stains. At the same time, it is advisable to remove the battery, and if it doesn’t come out, use a spray bottle or spray can for particularly difficult places. This will save time and be tidy.
• If you paint the radiator, then from top to bottom to avoid accidental smudges on already finished surfaces.
• It is necessary to apply a protective coating on all sides, as over time unpainted elements will begin to rust, which can lead to additional costs for protective enamels or even a new battery. And you need to apply the paint in several layers (about 2-3) with intermediate drying.
• When painting a cast-iron battery, it is important to first remove the traces of the old coating, otherwise the new one will quickly crack and peel off. Do not bypass the surface primer step before coating. For cast-iron systems, smooth foam rollers of small diameter are used for more even enamel application.The glossy finish will give out all the bumps in the radiator, and quickly turn gray on cast iron. Here it is better not to choose white or light colors.
• If you like hammer enamel - prepare a radiator. The surface should be rough (you can use the skin).
• Cheaper acrylic options quickly turn yellow. They should not contain chalk.
• To dilute acrylic paint, you need to have water, alcohol or vodka. Do not pour the solvent directly into the can of paint, it is better to do it in a separate container.
• Close the jar tightly with the remains of the paint, otherwise it will dry out and become worthless.

How to paint copper heating pipes and others you already know. Choose a dye and apply it correctly, then the question of painting will not bother you for a long time. The instructions will help you do everything right and avoid mistakes.