Rustins White Matt Radiator Paint Enamel - 250ml

Rustins Quick Dry White Matt Radiator Enamel gives radiators, pipes and towel rails a crisp, contemporary matt white finish in this handy 250ml tin. A flat matt finish suits modern, minimalist interiors where you want the radiator to blend quietly into the wall rather than catch the light. This fast-drying brush-on enamel is formulated to cope with the heat and wear a working radiator goes through, so the matt white finish keeps looking fresh for longer.

Key Features

• Fast-drying brush-on enamel formulated specifically for radiators, pipes and towel rails
• Smooth matt white finish with minimal shine, blending in with painted walls and modern interiors
• Approx. coverage of 2 to 3m² per 250ml tin (single coat), depending on surface and application
• Touch dry in approx. 1 to 2 hours, recoatable in approx. 4 to 6 hours
• Typically heat resistant to around 130°C once fully cured, so it copes with everyday radiator heat
• Good colour retention over time, resisting yellowing better than traditional gloss finishes
• Suitable for steel and cast iron radiators, copper and steel pipework, and towel rails

How to Use

• Turn the radiator off and allow it to cool completely before you start
• Clean the surface to remove dust, grease and any loose debris
• Lightly key any old glossy paint with fine abrasive paper so the new coat can grip
• Treat any rust spots with a suitable rust treatment before painting
• Prime any bare metal with a suitable metal primer first
• Apply with a good quality brush, ideally a slim radiator brush with a long or angled handle to reach behind the radiator
• Apply in thin, even coats, working in the direction of any ridges or grooves
• Two coats generally give the best colour depth and an even matt finish
• Allow approx. 1 to 2 hours touch dry time, then leave approx. 4 to 6 hours before recoating
• Leave the final coat to fully cure, ideally a few days, before switching the heating back on

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you paint a radiator?

Turn the radiator off and let it cool completely, clean off any dust and grease, lightly key any old glossy paint with fine abrasive paper, and treat any rust. Then apply Rustins Quick Dry White Matt Radiator Enamel with a brush in thin, even coats, letting each coat dry before applying the next. Two coats usually give the best finish and colour coverage.

Can you gloss radiators, or is matt paint better?

You can use either finish, it's really down to personal taste. Gloss gives a shinier, more traditional look, while a matt finish like this one gives a flatter, more contemporary appearance that tends to show fewer surface imperfections. Both finishes need to be a dedicated radiator enamel rather than a standard wall paint.

Can you paint radiators with emulsion?

Ordinary wall emulsion isn't designed to cope with the heat and repeated expansion and contraction a radiator goes through, so it tends to discolour, crack or peel over time. A dedicated radiator enamel like this Rustins white matt finish is formulated to withstand those conditions and give a longer-lasting result.

How long does radiator paint take to dry?

This quick-drying enamel is touch dry in approximately 1 to 2 hours and ready to recoat after around 4 to 6 hours. For the best long-term finish, allow the paint to fully cure, ideally a few days, before turning the heating back on.

How do you paint behind a radiator?

A slim radiator brush with a long or angled handle makes it much easier to reach behind the radiator without removing it. Apply the same thin, even coats as the front and sides, taking care to avoid drips running down the wall.

Do you need special paint for radiators?

Yes. Radiators get hot and expand and contract as the heating cycles on and off, which ordinary paints aren't designed to handle. A purpose-made radiator enamel like this one is formulated to resist that heat and movement without cracking, peeling or yellowing.