Removing Radiators and refinish

Ironlight

The water in there is going to be dirty and not every drop is going to drain out of the radiators, so the mess comes when you disconnect them from the supply and return pipes. But if you're redoing the floors I guess the mess does not really matter, lol

To drain:

1. Turn off furnace
2. Turn off water supply to furnace
3. Run your hose from the boiler drain faucet to the floor drain
4. Open the boiler drain
5. Starting at the top floor and farthest from the boiler and working downwards, open the bleeder valves on all the radiators.

The system will generally drain even without opening the bleeder valves, but it helps to get as much water out of the radiators as possible.


And I would look for the closest outfit to you that does general sandblasting and give them a call. They see these all the time. As for cost, I have no idea but I doubt it would be more than $25-40/ per radiator provided you deliver and pick up. I had a 55 gallon drum done last year and the guy charged me $15 and it took 5 minutes.

sdsester

Once blasted you have to finish them though and radiator refinishers do the whole process through to an expoxy coating if you want. Otherwise, you will need to prime and paint. Something like engine primers and paints might be a good choice. Obviously the things have also been painted with routine interior paints for ages but they tend to discolor. The expoxy finished radiators really turn out looking nice.

Before one of us forgets, you should plan on rebuilding the valves when you have the radiators off. Cost you $5 or so per valve for packing and so forth. For another couple bucks you can replace handles and things.

mwr1550

I isn't necessarily a steam radiator I have steam heat in My house an my radaitors only have one pipe going to them. Many hot water radiators will have a pipe feeding the radator and one going out. Some steam radiators work this way also. Check your boiler, it should say if it is a steam boiler of hot water. Also if there is a circulating pump on the boiler it will be a hot water boiler. Steam needs no pump.

mwr1550

Good luck to anyone refinishing radiators. I have done 7 in my home with a wire brush and a paint chipper. Took along time but they came out alright. Paint with heat resistant spray paint.

sdsester

Once they are down to bare metal, any defects repaired, they are primed.

PoleCat

Now that you mention it I remember all the units that were located close to and above the boiler had a single pipe feeding them. Units that were located remotely had two pipes. The return was fitted with a trap that allowed condensate to drain to a sump where it was pumped back to the boiler. 20 years can take its toll on memory.

CoconutPete

We pulled one out of my parents master bath a few years ago. Have a helper ready to help lift them!

Use the biggest wrench you can find. You might need leverage .... we did!

We painted it ourselves - it was either appliance high heat paint or some sort of automotive high heat paint - I can't remember. We paid to have it sandblasted though - my hat's off to you if you have the patience to strip the entire thing with a wire brush.

theradiator

First of all, I would like to give advise that Look at the price of a new radiator and consider how much your time is worth.Well, My new home had emulsion on the radiators. I gave them a sanding and painted them with gloss paint. They came up nice. I will though put new ones on eventually.