I have installed new cast iron base boards in my home. We have steam heat. They are an ugly gray color. I want to paint them the same color as the room. What kind of paint do I need to use as a base coat to withstand the heat. Thanks.

A premium enamel will work, latex or oil based. I painted my baseboard heaters with a latex enamel and it is holding up great after 2 years. Of course you don't want to turn on until the paint is completely cured, disconnecting them while being painted would be a good idea. If your not comfortable with enamel I have heard that using a appliance paint or automobile paint works too for this.

I use Tremclad on all my heaters when asked to paint them... There is also DTM Paint which is Latex "Direct To Metal"...

Piz...

Look for a good metal primer and then use a HIGH HEAT spray paint for this application (plastic area above and below BB).

I know home depot sells the HIGH HEAT spraypaint in a multitiude of colors.

Once you paint and let dry per instructions you will fire the boiler and notice that the radiators produce a smokey haze... open windows and should be all set after 20 minutes or so. This is to be expected as heat helps to set the paint!

Let me know if need more information on this stuff... I use it all the time for my customers!


MARK