Radiator Painting in Cheltenham

Original cast iron radiators in Montpellier and Pittville townhouses are often over a hundred years old. They have deep fins, ornate columns, and decorative end caps that reward careful work.

We degrease every surface before touching paint. Old flaking coatings are stripped back using chemical gels or dry abrasion. The original profiles are preserved throughout.

Heat-resistant primer goes on first, followed by two coats of heat-resistant topcoat in the client’s chosen colour. The result holds under sustained heat without yellowing or flaking.

Steel panel radiators are the most common type in Cheltenham’s family homes. They are straightforward to prepare, but standard emulsion or oil-based paints will brown and crack under heat.

We use solvent-free heat-resistant paints rated for radiator surfaces. Application is by fine brush or small roller, working across each convector fin in sequence. No bridging, no runs.

Contemporary column radiators are popular in Cheltenham renovations, particularly in kitchen-diners and open-plan spaces. Their tubular form looks impressive but creates awkward surfaces to coat.

We work from the top down on each column. This prevents drips on finished sections. Where columns are wall-mounted, we mask the surrounding plasterwork and paintwork before starting.

The wrong paint on a radiator starts to yellow within weeks. We use coatings made for surfaces that regularly reach 70 to 90 degrees Celsius.

These paints flex with the metal as it expands and contracts. Bond is maintained through seasonal heating cycles, rather than failing at the joints and seams.

Radiators in period Cheltenham properties often run alongside custom colour schemes from Farrow and Ball or Little Greene. We colour-match from tin references or digital swatches.

We can source custom-tinted heat-resistant paint for unusual shades. Satin and gloss are both available. We advise on finish levels at the quoting stage.