Our rental property has 'modern' panel radiators and the tenant has left soft furniture against one of them and it appears to have stained it red/brown. The stain doesn't look as though it's going to be open to removal so it looks as though it will have to be repainted.
I doubt that Dulux gloss white is going to look too clever so what's the best paint to go for?
I'd be very surprised if any stain would soak into the sort of finish you'd get on a factory rad.
Try an abrasive paint cleaner like T-cut. Or even a metal polish like Brasso if you have some.
Dulux would have you believe that its gloss formulation will work on radiators. I am not at all convinced that they are right...
I have seen badly painted radiators with flakes of paint falling off like confetti (although poor surface preparation may play a part too).
My money would be on a specific radiator paint that is formulated with a bit more adhesion and elasticity that allows it to handle regular thermal cycling without quickly flaking off.
Best to give it plenty of drying time before running hot. The stuff I used last time was Rustins and it seems to work fine. YMMV
Beware! The only way to clean the brush is to use cellulose thinners which I did not have. Exit one new paint brush. I spilt a load of the bloody stuff on the garage floor. The stain is still there, white spirit does not touch it.
Oil based gloss is certainly fine - done that. Water based modern stuff might be a different kettle of fish...
I've used the same coloured emulsion (matt or satin) that I used on the walls for years. Never had a problem and the radiator seems to blend in better too.
Another Dave
I've redone all my rads with Hammerite Spray Radiator Enamel, satin finish. If you spray the stained area one coat you should be able to get away with just one more coat overall. Looks beautiful, dries quickly and no smell.
I think I would try a little nail polish remover, turps substitute or even petrol to remove the stain first.
The white finish on panel rads used to be just primer, has it changed?
Satinwood is the paint for radiators not gloss.
Dulux recommend satinwood and it works well on rads.
About 20 years ago - so yes.
I always use the undercoat car enamel type paint. Cheap, dries quickly and easy to apply.
Dunno. Mine have a very decent factory finish. Has stood up to years of cleaning etc, so I doubt it is just a primer.
Well in my shed there is a can of something called radiator paint. However it still pongs very badly for about a week afterward when its heated.
I found that it really did not stay on that long, possibly due to it having needed some undercoat to bind to the metal. dunno, I'm not living in the house it was a mates.
Brian
Thanks for the suggestions. I'll give the various solvents a try and then have a look at the Hammerite aerosol (I don't want to end up with brush marks...).
But if all the other radiators are gloss white, it'll look a bit odd unless he does them all too.
If you follow the instructions the stuff behaves very well by brush and flows to smooth provided you do not apply too much or too little.
The risk of excess causing paint runs (by spray can or by brush) is more of an issue however you apply it so practice on something first.
As others have said you might want to try Tcut on it first or hydrogen peroxide or bleach. If you are repainting it anyway nothing to lose.
It is hard to imagine what sort of soft furnishing could stain a radiator to that extent.
To follow up...
I ended up getting an aerosol of 'Plasti-Kote Radiator Paint White
400ml' from Screwfix (37495, £6.39) and it worked a treat.HomeOwnersHub website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.