Revamp your radiators How to rescue rather than replace

Wall and radiator painted in pure at emulsion in Pontefract, £25 for 750ml, Paint & Paper Library

Revamp your radiators

Replacing radiators can prove to be a costly job, so if yours have seen better days, why not rescue them instead?

Radiator painted in quick dry satinwood in Pepper Red, around £16.50 for 500ml, Dulux

Ronseal Stays White satin radiator paint, £11 for 250ml, Homebase Wall painted in absolute matt emulsion in Light Gold; radiator painted in Urbane Grey, both from £23.50 per litre, Little Greene

ith the winter chill well and

Wtruly set in, we’re all very glad of our central heating, but what if your radiators are a bit of an eyesore? Replacing them is one option, but if you’d like to save your budget to spend elsewhere, then we recommend a refresh instead. With the right preparation, it’s a simple job which will give your radiator a brand-new look at very little expense.

WALLFLOWER VS WALL POWER For a radiator that’s in an odd place or not very attractive, painting it the same colour as the wall will help it to blend in and give your wall a slick, modern look. Alternatively, choosing a contrasting colour can highlight a good-looking radiator that’s just in need of a little TLC. Making a feature of your radiator is a quick and aordable way to add a pop of colour to a dark corner or give a plain wall a vibrant look.

HOW TO PAINT YOUR RADIATOR You will need Wood/metal paint or radiator paint (see our ‘Paint matters’ tips, right) in your choice of colour Primer (optional) Fine grade sandpaper Paintbrushes Solvent or brush cleaner Method 1 Make sure your radiator is completely cold and clean o any dirt, grease and rust spots. Give your radiator a sand with ne grain sandpaper to create a ‘keyed’ surface – this helps the paint to stick. Be sure to sand o any rust so you have an even surface to paint. Once you have sanded, vacuum and then wipe your radiator with a damp cloth to remove any dust.

2 Apply your primer, if you are using one – check your top coat to see whether you need one. If you have removed any rust or have patches of bare metal then a primer is a must to seal the surface. Allow your primer to dry completely before moving on to your top coat; check the tin for timings.

3 Once your primer is dry, give your radiator another wipe and allow to dry. Apply your top coat in thin, even strokes, or follow the instructions on the tin if you are using spray paint. An angled brush is handy to get into any awkward bits. You may need to apply a second coat to achieve an even coverage. It’s best to leave 24 hours between coats to ensure the paint is fully dry.

4 Once you are happy with the colour, let the paint cure for 2-3 days (up to a week if you can) before you turn the radiator back on. There may be a bit of a smell for a day or two, so keep windows open and the room well aired.

PAINT MATTERS

It’s important to ensure that the paint you choose is suitable for use on radiators as this means it’s less likely to chip or peel, or release nasty chemicals when you turn your radiator back on. Paints designed for use on wood or metal are generally suitable and your options include gloss, satin and eggshell. Some emulsions are suitable but check the can rst. You could also go for a specialist formula such as Ronseal’s Stays White satin radiator paint, priced at around £11 per 250ml. It has a one-coat application, dries quickly and is guaranteed to resist yellowing over time. You’ll nd some brands are also available as a spray for easy application: Rust-Oleum satin radiator enamel spray paint in White costs £3 for 400ml from B&Q. Always check the label to see if the paint is suitable for use on metal and if a primer is needed.

Rust-Oleum satin radiator enamel spray paint in white, £3 for 400ml, B&Q

V33 Renovation Metallic Eect radiator & appliance paint in Cast Iron, £20 for 750ml, B&Q

THE HEAT IS ON

If you do want to replace a radiator, size matters. Luckily, there is an easy way to nd out how much heat is needed to keep your space warm. There are plenty of calculators online that can be used to work out the BTU (British Thermal Unit) rating, which you should be looking for. B&Q’s BTU calculator is really easy to use, and you can nd it under the Ideas and Advice section at diy. com. All you need to know is the type of room, the dimensions and the number of windows. Bear in mind that with a high BTU requirement, it’s usually best to use more than one radiator to heat the space. You should nd that radiators are labelled clearly with their BTU value, so you’ll know exactly what you’re buying.

Wall painted in Breatheasy matt emulsion in Teal, £16 for 2.5l; radiator painted in Easyclean matt emulsion in Mustard Jar, £20 for 2.5l, both Crown COVER STORY If painting your radiator isn’t an option, or you want to disguise it even further, you may prefer to invest in a radiator cover

Antoinette small mirrored radiator cover, H82cm x W80cm x D20cm, £169.99, My Furniture

Argos Home Austin mini radiator cover, H75cm x W78cm x D19cm, £55, Argos

Argos Home Odell large radiator cover, H81.5cm x W150cm x D19cm, £100, Argos

Mayfair large oak veneer radiator cover, H81.5cm x W150cm x D19cm, £108, www.diy.com

Vida Designs Milton small unnished radiator cover, H82cm x W78cm x D19cm, £40, Wilko

MEASURE TWICE

When measuring up for a radiator cover, don’t forget to include the valves in the length, otherwise it won’t t over them! You’ll also need to add at least 10cm to the height, width and depth from the wall to allow the recommended clearance so that air can circulate freely inside.

Jaylynn medium radiator cover, H81cm x W112cm x D19cm, £91.99, Wayfair