Painting area of cast iron heating radiators: how to calculate paint consumption for battery sections for painting

Procedure for calculating area

A problem such as the poor appearance of old cast iron appliances can be easily solved by painting their surface. First of all, you need to figure out how much primer mixture and paint you should buy.

This can be found out by determining the painted area of cast iron radiators. Then they study the recommendations that are on the jar with the coloring composition. They always contain information regarding paint consumption per square meter.

It is impossible to independently find out the area of a section of a cast iron radiator for painting. This is not required, since heating equipment manufacturers provide this information in the instructions supplied with the products. More precisely, the documentation indicates the size of the heating area, and since every centimeter will be heated, this value is the size of its entire surface.

It is known that the edge area of the MS-140-500 product is 0.244 square meters. m, and the modified section of this device, having an interaxial distance of 300 millimeters, has an area of 0.208 square meters. m.

To calculate the entire surface of a cast iron radiator, you should:

find out the name of the model and, if possible, its manufacturer, since the same modifications of devices manufactured at different enterprises have different parameters - width and depth;
determine the heating area of the fin;
multiply this value by the number of sections.

For example, in the MS-140-500 radiator there are 10 fins, then the surface area will be 2.44 square meters. m. After this, they determine how much and what kind of building materials will be needed. When calculating paint consumption for heating radiators, it is necessary to take into account that it must be purchased with a reserve, since each layer of the paint composition will have a different thickness.

What you need to pay attention to when calculating the radiator area

— The power of sectional radiator sections can be in the range of 120-220 W. The parameters of each model must be studied individually.

— Experts recommend purchasing radiator devices, the power of sections of which is 20% higher compared to the design area, in case of additional factors (heat loss, colder weather conditions, etc.)

— If you couldn’t calculate the area of the heating radiator yourself, you can use the help of specialists.

Preparatory activities

They involve cleaning the battery surface from old paint and dirt:

Wipe off the dust thoroughly with a damp cloth so that no dirt remains in the recesses. To clean hard-to-reach areas, place a rag between the ribs and move it back and forth.

Remove the layer of old paint. When using a chemical method, Dufa, SP-6, B52, ACE products are used, but they are not able to cope with oil compositions that were produced in the mid-20th century. The physical method requires the use of a drill with a metal brush attached. You can also use a file and sandpaper.
Apply a layer of primer mixture. It must not only withstand elevated temperatures, but also match the type of paint, it’s good if they are the same brand.

Is it possible to paint cast iron batteries?

Cast iron heaters have been used for a long time due to the thermophysical properties of the metal. It is strong, heat-intensive, anti-corrosion, and has the ability to withstand high coolant pressure.

Modern cast iron batteries are perfect for retro or loft design finishes

Purchased batteries are sold unpainted; only factory primer is applied to the sections, so they require full-scale painting.

It is recommended to paint cast iron batteries in an apartment in the following cases:

Change in shade due to fading.
Heterogeneity of the coating - bubbles, chips, cracks and other damage.
When performing a major overhaul of the heating system.
During the renovation of the interior of the premises.
Improving the performance characteristics of the protective layer - resistance to temperature changes and high humidity.

Battery painting

You can cover the radiator painting area with any coloring composition, the main thing is that it is resistant to high temperatures. The work is done using a curved or regular brush. First, gloves are put on your hands, and a rag or gauze is placed nearby to erase traces of paint on the handle of the brush.

Sequence of the dyeing process:

Renew the look of hard-to-reach places between pipe sections using a flexible brush.
If the paint has not touched the cast iron, use gauze folded into a rope. It is laid between the sections, a coloring composition is applied to the middle and the ends are pulled in turn.
Paint the top and easily accessible places.
You should move from top to bottom, applying paint in several layers.

Paint calculator for a cast iron radiator

Modern heating radiators - steel, aluminum, bimetallic and some others - go on sale with a high-quality, multi-layer protective and decorative coating. If treated with care, they can serve for many years without requiring additional painting - just regular wet cleaning is enough. The good old cast iron “accordion” is a different matter: they need to be painted both during initial installation and at certain intervals during operation.

Paint calculator for a cast iron radiator

Any owner of a house or apartment can carry out the painting process - the main thing is to choose high-quality paint for this purpose that is suitable in its operational parameters for heating appliances. With paint consumption, at first glance, everything is also simple, since manufacturers indicate this parameter on the packaging labels of the factory packaging of the material. But here's the catch! – consumption is indicated per unit area, and looking at the complex configuration of a cast iron radiator, it is problematic to estimate its area. Determine the amount of paint by eye? No, it’s not worth it, it’s better to use the calculator for calculating paint for a cast iron heating radiator, posted in this publication.

Prices for cast iron radiators

Below the calculator will be a brief explanation of how to use it.

Paint calculator for a cast iron radiator

What is the calculation based on and how is it carried out?

Calculating the area of, for example, flat panel radiators is not difficult, since the front panel that is subject to periodic painting most often has a rectangular shape. With sectional cast iron ones it is more difficult, due to their complex configuration, so the calculator is compiled specifically for them, as they remain one of the most common.

If you rummage through the technical characteristics of cast iron batteries, you can, if desired, find the value of their surface area. In order not to send the reader on an independent search, the calculator database contains these parameters for the most commonly used cast iron radiators of the MS series, as well as for the more modern ones - the ChM series. Please note that some radiators have modifications - internal fins that increase the heat transfer area. Naturally, paint consumption for such sections will be higher.
Of course, the total area to be painted depends on the number of sections assembled into the battery.
The calculator provides the ability to immediately calculate the paint for coating the supply and return pipes connected to the radiator. If this calculation path is selected, additional fields will appear for entering values for the pipe diameter and its total length.
Paint consumption is averaged over the main types suitable for painting radiators - oil-based, alkyd, heat-resistant acrylic and special silicone for metal. For different brands of paints with similar bases, the consumption may differ slightly, but if you analyze the most commonly used compositions, you cannot help but notice that all consumption values approximately balance around one average indicator. It is these values that are included in the calculation algorithm.
Despite the fact that different manufacturers operate with different units of measurement for paint consumption, it is most appropriate to take the weight indicator as a general standard, that is, kilograms per square meter (it is in kilograms that paintwork materials are traditionally measured when planning construction work). On any of the paint packages, in addition to the volume, the net weight must also be indicated.
You will be asked to indicate the number of planned coats of paint. Usually, two layers are enough for a high-quality white coating. However, different situations happen, and the variability of value entry has been expanded - from one to three layers. It is taken into account that with each subsequent application the paint consumption is slightly reduced.
The final result of the calculator immediately takes into account the traditionally created stock of material, equal to 10% of the calculated quantity.

Cast iron radiators MS - “ageless veterans”

No matter what novelties the assortment of modern heating appliances delights, cast iron radiators will certainly serve people for a very long time. What is the secret of the longevity of these batteries, what are their technical characteristics, how to calculate the required number of sections for effective heating of the room - read about all this in the special publication of our portal “MC-140 Cast Iron Radiators” .

Section power MS 140

For this you need:

Sanding paper;
File;
Iron bristle brush.

You can also use:

Bulgarian;
A specialized attachment for a drill.

Cleaning cast iron batteries before painting is a mandatory process, because... Paint cannot hide the unevenness of heating devices.

The positive quality of the mechanical method is its versatility: it can be performed on functioning warm batteries, on cool ones connected and not connected to the heating system; We use it for any paint and varnish coatings (thermal spray enamels, oil paints, nitro paints, paints based on various resins, etc.)

If the surface area of the outdated paint is not small, it is possible to remove the entire layer using chemical means. They are solvents, acids and alkalis. For this method of removing outdated paint you will need:

Gloves;
Respirator;
Specialized curved brush;
cycle;
Iron bristle brush;
Putty knife.

Using a brush, the substance is applied to the paint to be removed. The application process is sometimes repeated a couple of times at intervals of 5-30 minutes. After some time, the coating, which is already outdated, completely dissolves or softens. It is removed with a spatula, brush, or scraper. The cleaned surface of cast iron radiators is washed with water and dried.

It is much better to do such actions on a cold battery or on one that is not connected to the heating system. But for any individual case, you must follow the instructions for using the selected chemical. Precautionary measures include using chemicals far from open flame sources, in a well-ventilated area, using gloves and a respirator.2. Thermal method of removing outdated paint, degreasing, calculation of the area of the surface to be painted, primer

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Diagram of a repair hair dryer.

When selecting a thermal method, the battery should not be connected to the heating system; it should be disassembled. The method is suitable for removing strong layers that do not peel off. The surface of the heating device is heated. For this use:

Soldering lamp;
Construction hair dryer.

After work, you should leave the room for a couple of hours and carefully ventilate it, because during work, toxic substances are released that have a detrimental effect on the body.

The cleaned battery is washed with water and dried. Then degrease with a simple solvent. Now she is ready for painting.

First of all, it will be primed. The primer is selected so that its properties best meet the requirements of the decorative paint used. To find out how much primer and paint is required, calculate the area of the surface to be painted. To do this, the area of one part is multiplied by the number of sections in the battery.

To calculate the area of one part, you need to multiply the height of the part by the length. It is much better to use reference books or the technical data sheet of the device, which contains the values of such quantities. The MS-140M-500-0.9 brand device with a part length of 93 mm and a height of 588 mm is considered very popular. The area of one part is 0.24 m2.

Variations of brushes for painting: a, b – flute brushes; c – round brush; d – radiator brush; d – maklovitsa.

After the primer has dried, painting of cast iron radiators begins. Today, the industry recommends a large number of decorative paints for painting metal surfaces. These are anti-corrosion epoxy acrylic enamels, chemically resistant paints, resistant to high temperatures.

If possible, choose paints that do not require special preparation of surfaces for painting. One of these paints is considered “Hammerite”; it can be used on warm, functioning batteries. Among its varieties there are those that form stylish patterns on the painted surface, which creates a beautiful radiator design that matches the interior design of the room.

To paint the heating device you will need:

Gloves;
Curved or regular brush;
Available means (gauze, rags or foam rubber mounted on a metal rod).

When working with brushes, the internal components of the battery may become poorly painted, sometimes leaving unpainted areas.

The deficiency can be corrected by simple action. As described at the beginning of the publication, the gauze is folded into a tourniquet. It should be dipped in paint. Then follow the same steps as when removing dust. You can use foam rubber or rags attached to a rod. The working principle with this tool is similar to working with a brush; its advantage is that when painting the surface inside, it has greater cross-country ability than a brush. The pyron can be bent if necessary, which provides greater maneuverability in hard-to-reach areas.

Today's paints for metal surfaces are great for cast iron radiators; they create a beautiful radiator design.

Sequence of the dyeing process:

Renew the look of hard-to-reach places between pipe sections using a flexible brush.
If the paint has not touched the cast iron, use gauze folded into a rope. It is laid between the sections, a coloring composition is applied to the middle and the ends are pulled in turn.
Paint the top and easily accessible places.
You should move from top to bottom, applying paint in several layers.

High-quality painting requires:

preliminary cleaning from dust, rust and dirt;
removing all layers of old oil;
coating with a metal primer, preferably heat-resistant;
painting in 2 layers gives the highest quality and smoothest surface (one layer can be slightly diluted with a solvent to save composition).

Many actions can be easily carried out using available tools, including brushes for cleaning and washing. Old paint can be removed using different methods (can be done in a complex way):

chemical;
mechanical (special attachments for grinders and universal tools);
thermal (hair dryer, blowtorch);
manually.

Advice! Use a metal brush to clean the surface before applying primer to remove loose particles that may then stick to the brush or roller.

Old radiators after painting will last at least another decade

Not every paint is suitable for painting cast iron radiators. Only non-toxic heat-resistant enamels for interior use. They are sold in different forms - cans, jars, buckets. If you paint without a primer, you can degrease it with a solvent suitable for its chemical composition. Even if the enamel is “environmentally friendly”, when painting the area of a cast iron radiator MS-140 (another model) use:

respirator,
work gloves;
work clothes and shoes.

It is recommended to ventilate the room at each stage of processing, especially after the paint has set a little. All calculation data are adjusted to suit any modern model or an old one. The heated surface area varies slightly for 1K60P-60x500 “Barelief”, Standard-90, RD-90s, 2K60P-300, B-Z-140×300, MR-2KP140 “Bekard”, etc.

{amp}gt;Painting area of cast iron radiators

The beauty of the heating device can be easily restored by painting the surface of the cast iron radiator.

Not everyone wants to get rid of old cast iron batteries after upgrading their apartment. They are practical and reliable, and if the heating system is cleaned and rusty pipes are replaced, old radiators after painting will last at least another decade.

Advice! You should not cover yellowed, crumbling or cracked layers of paint with a new coating. This should be done only after removing old layers of paint and exposing the metal with a primer.

Calculations for paint consumption are complicated by the variety of models of heating devices, differing in many respects:

mass (weight);
aesthetics (design);
format (dimensions of the section and the entire battery);
power (heat transfer);
volume of coolant (water);
connection method (side, bottom, diagonal), etc.

Improved battery designs may require more paint than regular batteries

New models are also being produced that imitate old cast iron accordions. They exactly imitate the general structure of classic heating equipment. They have an improved design with artistic casting or designer soldering and comfortable legs at the bottom - for floor placement. They require a little more paint and primer, materials need to be taken in reserve.

Modern heating radiators - steel, aluminum, bimetallic and some others - go on sale with a high-quality, multi-layer protective and decorative coating. If treated with care, they can serve for many years without requiring additional painting - just regular wet cleaning is enough.

But here's the catch! – consumption is indicated per unit area, and looking at the complex configuration of a cast iron radiator, it is problematic to estimate its area. Determine the amount of paint by eye? No, it’s not worth it, it’s better to use the calculator for calculating paint for a cast iron heating radiator, posted in this publication.

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Features of battery coloring

In order for the paint on radiators to last a long time, it is necessary to carry out the painting procedure correctly.

Removing old coating and applying putty

Before painting radiators, preparatory measures should be carried out.

First you need to wash off the dirt from the surface, then clean the battery with fine sandpaper to remove all the paint that does not adhere firmly.

If, as a result, fragments of the coating remain on the surface, then the recesses between them must be coated with metal putty, wait until it dries and treat the radiator with sandpaper to achieve a perfectly smooth surface.

Surface priming

The next step is to apply a primer to improve the adhesion of the paint to the metal. Afterwards, the primer should dry for as long as indicated on the packaging.

Attention! When purchasing a primer, do not use one intended for wood or plaster.

Selection of brushes

At the last stage, painting is carried out. To achieve maximum effect, make sure to purchase the necessary tools:

A straight brush is used to paint the outer surface of the battery. Another option is to use a roller or spray gun instead.
Curved brush - it is convenient to work with the back surface and hard-to-reach places inside the radiator.

Photo 2. Special brush for painting heating radiators. It has a curved shape, which allows you to reach hard-to-reach places.

Dyeing process

The wall behind the radiator and the floor are covered with film, after which the enamel is applied with a curved brush to the internal parts of the structure and its rear surface. Next, paint the outer part with a straight brush, roller or spray gun.

Reference.

It is best to paint the battery in the summer, but if it needs to be done in the winter, then you should look for an indication on the paint packaging that it is suitable for painting hot radiators.

Preparing cast iron batteries for painting

The preparation of batteries and pipes begins with removing the old paint layer. There are 2 simple methods for cleaning radiators:

Mechanical - using a steel brush or an attachment to an electric drill. The coating is removed down to the metal surface; for this reason, this option will require a lot of time and physical stress on the part of the performer. One drawback is the difficulty of working in inaccessible areas. A special attachment for an electric drill facilitates the cleaning process, and it also makes it possible to thoroughly treat the entire area of the device, including in hard-to-reach areas.
The chemical method involves the use of special compounds based on acids and thinners that reduce the adhesion of the layer to the base metal. The surface is carefully coated in accordance with the instructions until the paint softens deeply. Then the old coating is removed with a spatula, grinder or stiff brush.

Types of paints

What paint should I use for radiators? You are very lucky if you have modern radiators with powder coating at your disposal - it lasts for decades without peeling and almost without changing its color. This paint covers aluminum, bimetallic and steel radiators of various designs. To give it extra strength, the paint is subjected to procedures to make it stronger and more durable. Multi-stage painting has the longest service life.

Painting the batteries is necessary not only to give the radiator a neat appearance, but also to protect it from the environment.

If there are ordinary cast iron accordion batteries or old steel batteries in the house, then they need to be periodically tinted. The paint quickly turns yellow and begins to crumble, exposing the metal and creating all the conditions for the formation of pockets of corrosion. Therefore, the paintwork needs to be updated. It may also be needed when carrying out repairs - what if you decide to paint the batteries in different colors and adapt them to your interior design?

What paint should I use to paint radiators? There are many types of paints:

water-dispersed – do not emit an unpleasant odor and dry quickly;
acrylic – they smell like solvents and give a gloss;
alkyd – resistant, durable, long drying;
oil paints are not the best option for painting batteries;
Heat-resistant silver is an excellent option for painting heating appliances;
silicone-aluminum - excellent in all respects, but very expensive;
car enamels from spray cans are a reasonable heat-resistant option.

The water-dispersion composition for radiators is completely safe, as it dissolves in water.

Water-based paints are good because they do not have a strong solvent smell, since their base is ordinary water. They dry quickly and are well suited for painting radiators. Some varieties have marks indicating the possibility of painting heating devices.

Don't like matte radiators and want them to shine? Then we recommend that you turn your attention to modern acrylic enamels. They give excellent gloss and have a long service life

Their disadvantage is the smell of solvent, so the premises will need to be ventilated after painting.

Alkyd paints are the most durable. They are resistant to temperature loads, resist abrasion well, and do not change their color for a long time. Some of them can withstand heating up to +150 degrees without turning yellow for many years. Despite the obvious advantages, such paints have one glaring drawback - a strong solvent smell. It manifests itself not only at the painting stage, but also when starting the heating system.

Some consumers note that after drying, the unpleasant odor disappears, but appears already when heating is started for the first time, disappearing after 1-2 days. During these periods, it is recommended to thoroughly ventilate the rooms in which painted batteries are located.

Oil paints are not very suitable for heating radiators, so they have hardly been used recently. They have a strong solvent smell, take a very long time to dry and stick, and the dyes used in them turn yellow over time. In addition, after a year or two, such painting will begin to peel off and fall off, exposing the metal of the heating devices. We do not recommend using this paint for painting heating radiators.

Radiators painted silver look very attractive, but the main thing here is that the surface of the battery is smooth, without bumps or depressions, otherwise the impression will be blurred.

Heat-resistant silver is an excellent choice for painting batteries silver. It contains heat-resistant varnish and powdered aluminum. Benefits of silver:

withstands heating up to +200 degrees;
does not change color;
It hardly peels off or falls off.

The disadvantage is that the smell is quite strong, so after painting the batteries, the rooms need to be ventilated.

Silicone-aluminum paints have the greatest resistance to high temperatures. They fit well on any surface, forming a strong and reliable connection. The surface is smooth and flexible, the paint does not peel off even after several years of use. The price for such superior performance comes at a price - you have to pay for the benefits and durability.

Car enamels are also suitable for painting heating radiators. They are resistant to temperatures up to +80-100 degrees and form a shiny, glossy surface that does not change color under the influence of temperature loads.

What paint to paint cast iron radiators

The paint is selected according to the specific characteristics of the battery, and the heating device is carefully prepared. Otherwise, the renewed coating will not last long.

The optimal paint for radiators must meet the following requirements:

Heat resistance. The paint on the radiator must withstand temperatures in the heating circuit up to 95 degrees and not deteriorate for the period guaranteed by the manufacturer.
Adhesion. It is required that the components provide excellent adhesion to the work surface being painted.
Anti-corrosion protection – the paint must contain protective elements.
Battery color stability.
Wear resistance.
Safe use - the paint should not contain toxic ingredients.

The best paint for cast iron batteries must meet absolutely all the requirements, and not just some points.

Why do paint cost estimates for radiators vary?

Not everyone wants to get rid of old cast iron batteries after upgrading their apartment. They are practical and reliable, and if the heating system is cleaned and rusty pipes are replaced, old radiators after painting will last at least another decade.

Advice! You should not cover yellowed, crumbling or cracked layers of paint with a new coating. This should be done only after removing old layers of paint and exposing the metal with a primer.

Calculations for paint consumption are complicated by the variety of models of heating devices, differing in many respects:

mass (weight);
aesthetics (design);
format (dimensions of the section and the entire battery);
power (heat transfer);
volume of coolant (water);
connection method (side, bottom, diagonal), etc.

Improved battery designs may require more paint than regular batteries