If you’ve lived or live in NYC, then you know all about those sweltering hot, hissing, clanging, unseemly metal heat pipes and radiators. If your apartment has them now, they probably haven’t been painted in decades and are bubbling and peeling. Not cute! What can you do about it? You can paint those scorching, noisy eye sores! But painting heating pipes is not an easy task, even for a specialist. First of all, you have to make sure to select the correct type of paint or you’ll be unhappy with the results.

Requirements for paints to be applied to pipes and radiators:

• Heat resistance. Conventional paints on heating pipes start to turn yellow and will most likely bubble and flake off or emit volatile compounds into the surrounding air. So it’s pretty important to choose heat-resistant products.
• Waterproof. The coating must protect the metal from moisture and prevent the development of corrosion. Condensation often forms on pipes even in dry rooms.
• High adhesion to metal. Unlike wood, concrete, and other construction surfaces, metal pipes do not absorb coatings. The paint must show high adhesion to the surface layer of the base, otherwise it will be necessary to use a primer.

Types of paint for heating pipes

Alkyd Enamels

This is the most popular type of paint for metal pipes. Enamels based in alkyd varnish have an affordable price, are available in a wide range of colors, and do not require prior preparation before painting. The heat resistance is high. They resist heat up to 194°F, but paints in bright colors are still prone to yellowing. It is better to choose enamel PF-115 or other dark alkyd material for painting. Or you can just repaint periodically. The downside? The paint has a strong smell that lingers for a long time.

Silicone-based acrylic

Silicone-based paints are highly resistant to moisture. They are suitable for protecting pipes in bathrooms and toilets. Silicone coated radiators can be washed without fear.

Acrylic with latex

Acrylic paints with the addition of latex are used on complex surfaces such as polished steel, copper, and ceramic. Coatings have greater adhesion to smooth substrates.

Acrylic with water

Acrylic paint with water is the simplest, cheapest and most environmentally friendly option. They don’t have a pungent odor and can be used in children’s rooms. But there are some things to be taken into account. For example, water-based acrylics are sensitive to moisture. You won’t be able to clean pipes painted this way with a damp cloth. Additionally, coatings have a limited heat threshold.

KO enamel

Organosilicon (KO) based paints exhibit high adhesion to metals of all kinds, retain their properties over a wide temperature range, and have good protective properties. KO enamels are especially great for painting copper pipes. But it’s necessary to keep the room ventilated while painting, because the fumes are very strong.

Tips for painting metal heating pipes.

• As always, make sure to clean the surfaces you’re going to paint first.
• It’s better to paint your heating system when it is not cold, that is, in the summer. If you try to paint your heating system while it’s on, the coating will have an uneven thickness and may crack during drying. If you have to paint the pipes in the winter, make sure to temporarily turn off the heat.

Maybe you might be interested: Paint Finishes: A Guide to Choosing the Best Paint for Your Interior Project