Rustins White Matt Radiator Paint Enamel - 500ml

Rustins Quick Dry White Matt Radiator Enamel gives radiators, pipes and towel rails a crisp, contemporary matt white finish, supplied here in a larger 500ml tin for bigger jobs or multiple radiators. 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
• Larger 500ml tin, ideal for painting more than one radiator or a larger surface area
• Approx. coverage of 4 to 6m² per 500ml 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.

How many radiators will a 500ml tin cover?

Coverage depends on the size of your radiators and how many coats you apply, but as a guide a 500ml tin gives approx. 4 to 6m² of single-coat coverage, which is usually enough for two to three average domestic radiators with two coats applied.

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 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.

What paint should you use on radiators?

Use a paint made specifically for radiators, such as this Rustins Quick Dry White Matt Enamel, rather than a general wall or furniture paint. Radiator enamels are formulated to cope with the heat and movement of a working radiator without discolouring, cracking or peeling.

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.