A Comprehensive Guide to Radiator Restoration

Whether you’re taking on a large renovation project or you need an update, radiator refurbishment can be a brilliant way of sprucing up your home decor. Old, dusty and dirty radiators can be a real eyesore, not to mention that restoring old radiators can help save you a little bit of money as well as have a positive impact on the environment. Read on to discover some of the best ways to restore your radiators to their former glory in this ultimate guide to radiator restoration. Keep in mind that it is always important to check your manufacturer warranty is still in effect to ensure you do not void it when restoring radiators.

If your radiator is dirty or dusty…

You just need to clean it. To clean your radiators and restore them to their former glory, you need to first turn off the heating. Learn how to turn off your radiators if you don’t know how already. Once the radiators are cold, give them a good hoover to get rid of as much dust as possible. If you have a radiator with fins, use a radiator brush to clean between them. Next, clean them with a soft cloth and some soap and warm water. Make sure you get into as many nooks and crannies as you can. An old, soft toothbrush works well on edges you can’t easily reach with a cloth. When they’re back to their sparkling selves, wipe them down with a damp cloth with no soap on and allow them to dry fully before turning the heating back on.  

 You will probably find that by cleaning out all the dust, your radiators will be more efficient again which is another perk for keeping them clean. To learn more about cleaning radiators with top grills, check out our blog.

If your radiator is rusty…

You need to tackle it. Rust is pretty unsightly and can really ruin the look of your radiators, but if it's an internal issue, it can ruin your entire radiator. To avoid this, tackle rust as soon as you find it. Unfortunately for our radiators, which are heated by letting water flow into and through them, water and metal don't mix. This can create rust and, especially in the case of bathroom radiators which are commonly in a damp environment, this can affect the appearance of your radiators. Here is how to identify whether you have internal or external rust issues: Is the radiator leaking from the chassis rather than the connection points? If it is, then the only real reason a radiator would rupture (unless someone took a hammer to it) is corrosion. If this is the case, then you will need to replace the radiator. When the heating is on, is the radiator cool or is there patchy heat at the bottom? If so, we’re looking at internal rust and corrosion. When the heating is off, try bleeding the radiator. Using a radiator key and with a small container in hand along with an old towel, open the bleed valve and allow the water to run for a few seconds. If the water that comes out is dark in colour then we know it is internal rust and corrosion. External radiator corrosion and rust can also be identified, generally this looks like pitting or blotchy spots in an area of the radiator where water can sit easily. It is commonly found on either the top and bottom of the radiator and can often be seen along the tubes of towel rails where the towel would sit.  

 For detailed instructions on how to clean rust and prevent rust build-up, read our blog on how to stop your radiators from rusting and corroding.

If your radiator’s paint is flaking…

You’ll probably need to strip and repaint it. The best, safest, and least messy way of doing this is to drain the system and remove the affected radiators before taking them outside or to a well ventilated garage or shed to begin the process. Clean the radiator with warm water to remove as much dust and debris as possible from the surface. Don’t use any cleaners or chemicals in this step but make sure you get into all the nooks and crannies with a soft cloth and wire brush if needed. Next, strip the paint using a good quality paint stripper. Make sure you always follow the instructions on your chosen paint stripper closely and wear appropriate protection - these chemicals can get nasty. If you’re not stripping the previous paint from the radiator, make sure you sand the surface and give it a wipe down with a damp cloth - this will help the new paint to adhere properly. Then you can move onto priming. Finding the correct primer for your radiator is important as it will help to keep your paint intact for as long as possible and it will also stop rust from seeping through the paint, ruining the look of your radiator. Choose a good quality primer and allow it to dry fully before moving onto painting with your chosen radiator paint. We have a whole blog post on how to paint a radiator so make sure you check it out for more in depth information.

If your radiator needs replacing…

We have a huge range of choices for you! As much as we’d like to save every radiator, sometimes radiator restoration isn’t possible. In those cases it’s best to replace them with high quality units you know will last you for years to come. Browse our range of stylish designer radiators, gorgeous column radiators, and many more for your to select from and enhance the decor in your home while still keeping you toasty all winter long.