cast iron radiators

[greentree]

Hi, i am new to this board and would like to say hello to everyone. My name is Steven and i am from Northants.
I am three months in to renovating a large old victorian town house and am at present having some reclaimed cast iron radiators stripped of paint. Does anyone know if there is a paste or polish that can be applied straight to the cast iron to just buff them up by hand ? i did think of using liberon iron paste but have been advised not to because it will let off fumes when the rads are on. Any help would be appriciated. Thanks

 

[MdB]

Hi Steven, welcome to the forum.

This is the thread you probably want to read.
http://www.periodproperty.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=10013

(can't help myself - sorry)

 

[greentree]

Thanks, i had a read but still no info about what to use on them - only farrow and ball paints and powder coating which i dont really want to do -cheers

 

[FamilyWiggs]

Welcome to the forum Steven.

I was looking into rads last year and seem to remember www.castrads.co.uk had a lot of into on finishes - it may help. (No connection to website and there are others if you Google it)

 

[Pford75]

Welcome to the forum...

A polished finish is possible on cast iron rads, but takes a long time to acheive and can be difficult to maintain. We looked into this option when doing our rads but I didn't fancy hand polishing 46 rads :shock:

If your rads are not already stripped, then have them blasted (far quicker and better result than any chemical or hand stripping). Once they are stripped, you could use a metal polishing drill attachment with some cutting paste.

Once you have your polished surface, you will need to apply something to stop it from rusting. Our local salvage yard suggested WD40 or spray olive oil...but I have no idea how the former reacts with heat and the latter leaves a slightly sticky finish (even if applied very thinly). A work colleague introduced me to
http://www.boeshield.com/why/why_t9.php which he uses on his yacht and we have used some of this quite successfully to protect a polished cast iron grate.

However, I would underline that even the chap from the local salvage yard (who sells reclaimed rads, polished and painted) said that he wouldn't recommend a polished finish, since they do tarnish/rust.

 

[ljn]

I have some burnished radiators. The reclaimer advised wiping with WD40 once a year or so to keep rust away.
I also had burnished rads in a previous apartment and over the few years I lived there, I didn't have any problems except once when I left a window left and rain came inside (rads below window) leaving speccles of rust which wiped off with some kitchen paper. And another time when a wet towel left some similar superficial rust which also easily wiped off (can't remember what happened to the towel, but it would have been from Ikea, so no big loss) but being inside, and on the whole, being hot and dry when there is damp around, they seem to remain free of rust.

Ok, it might not be the most practical finish, but they do look great! And painted rads always seem to smell when turned on, whatever paint is used.

 

[Pford75]

I agree with you on the paint smell....however I don't have this problem with the power coated ones

 

[greentree]

Thanks guys for your help! I am a little unsure now as which one to do wheather to wd40 them or get some primer and paint them in a gun metal coloured eggshell - hmm ......... all the decisions we have to make when renovating can be mind blowing!
Cheers

 

[Pford75]

Its worth noting that powder coat is also available in metallic and/or burnished finishes, won't discolour and will provide a much more even coat

 

[robgil]

wd40 might give off fumes when hot, do you have pets? asthma?

also how do you intend to polish them? just curious because i am also thinking about cast rads but will most likely end up using radiator paint on them..

 

[AMc]

or get some primer and paint them in a gun metal coloured eggshell - hmm ......... all the decisions we have to make when renovating can be mind blowing!
Cheers

I've painted a (non functional) fireplace with Craig and Rose Pewter from their precious metals range (available online or at B&Q. http://www.craigandrose.com/brands/1829/paints?type=93PRECIOUS

The metal was stripped back then primed with iron oxide (the red stuff) then a coat of C&R. Very pleased with it but it will never get hot as it's chimney breast was capped over when the roof was reslated the last time (some time mid 20C).

Before

After

 

[greentree]

Thanks to all for the advice and pictures.
I have done some tests with a product called RUST-OLEUM hard hat its a clear spray for all metal work and looks great on a test area, the rep for the compay said as long as the radiators were not used in damp or humid rooms - ie kitchens or bathrooms then they will not rust. It comes in an aerosol @ around £10 a can. I think this will be worth a try, with two or three coats they should look great. I will post some pictures when i have sprayed some up tomorrow