Refinishing exterior of steam radiators
Our radiators are covered with paint that is peeling. Would like to restore them to original metallic surface. Have tried doing that ourselves in past. Are there contractors who do this?
Our radiators are covered with paint that is peeling. Would like to restore them to original metallic surface. Have tried doing that ourselves in past. Are there contractors who do this?
I’m having a company called Avant Guards Manufacturing (located in Williamsburg NY) pick up two very old cast iron rads for sandblasting & powder-coating (they will pick up and deliver depending on proximity but the cost is extra for the haul). Their response and follow-through has been excellent and my neighbor used them to refurbish his rads. BTW, you may want to reconsider leaving your rads “bare”; if the original rads have rusted (and chances are that if they’re old they have) you will need to protect the metal from further corrosion. Also have a plumber check the condition of your shut-off valves, as they might need replacing.
I recently chemically stripped (did not want to haul to be sandblasted) a 300 lbs 17 section radiator. I have recently sprayed it with metallic gold paint and it looks lovely. However, the stripping took two weekends and was painstaking to remove the paint from all the ornamental detail. I used a dental pick, old screwdriver, putty knife, whatever. If it were smaller, I would have had it sandblasted.
Now I plan on leaving the detail gold, and painting the background teal, bronze or some other color.
Look in the yellow pages under “sandblasting”. Most metal finishing places can blast and paint. The radiators will have go be hauled to the sandblasting facility, which is hard work–you’ll have to hire out. I live in Cleveland area; am paying ~$120/ea for sandblast and powder coat; transport extra.
As cast iron rusts, the “original” finish was a painted finish. However, today you could specify a tough clear coat finish if you like the baremetal look.