To prime and paint a baseboard heater, use a small paintbrush or a 4- to 6-inch fine-finish roller. Apply an even coat of Ultra Spec® HP D.T.M. Acrylic Metal primer to the baseboard heater cover. For heat-resistant paint, use Rust-Oleum Clean Metal Primer or Benjamin Moore Advance. Avoid regular paint as it can easily peel off. Primer is essential for longevity, as a paint job will only last about as long as the original factory paint did before it rusted.
For bathroom baseboard, sand it like the cover and clean off any excess dirt and dust. Apply a layer of rust-inhibiting primer to the cover and leave it to dry before applying a second coat. It is important to coat the heaters with a special type of primer, as they generate relatively high levels of rust. For rusty metal, use a specialty direct-to-metal primer like Ultra Spec HP D.T.M. Acrylic Metal primer, which offers superior rust inhibition and a smooth finish.
On steel baseboard heaters that have shown bits of rust, none of the water-based paints worked; only Rustoleum primer + Rustoleum oil-based enamel paint has worked. Spray it with Rustoleum High Heat spray or Rustoleum Painter’s Touch Paint and Primer. Clean metal primer is good for baseboard heater covers that were previously painted or have light rusting.
To ensure optimal results, choose a primer designed for metal, either latex (water-based for easy clean-up and fast drying) or enamel (oil-based). Special high-heat paint is not necessary for hot baseboard heaters. Apply a layer of rust-inhibiting primer to the cover and let it dry before applying a second coat.
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Today I’m reviewing the different types of primer you can find on the market. Some are good for new drywall while others are good …
Do I need to prime baseboard heaters before painting?
Clean metal primer is suitable for baseboard heater covers with light rusting or previous paint. It should be applied after sanding and cleaning, and let it dry and cure for 24 hours before applying the paint top coat. Rusty metal primer is formulated to resolve rust issues by bonding with rust to create a better surface for the paint to adhere to. However, it should not be used on lightly rusted or non-rustated metal as the ingredients bond with rust will create a slick that paint won’t adhere to.
Heat-tolerant paint is not necessary as most regular paint can withstand temperatures between 250 and 300 degrees. Hot water baseboard heaters heat water to 180 degrees, while electric heater elements can reach up to 190 degrees. In summary, regular paint should suffice for baseboard heater covers.
What primer to use on MDF baseboards?
Dulux Trade Quick Dry MDF Primer is a water-based primer and undercoat designed for use on MDF, suitable for both interior and exterior use. It is quick-drying and low odor. To paint MDF, follow these steps:
Clean and seal the MDF with a universal cleaner like Zinsser Universal Degreaser and Cleaner. This will ensure no dirt or grime is left on the surface.
Apply the primer and undercoat, ensuring the primer is dry and low odour.
Apply the paint and primer, ensuring the primer is applied evenly and evenly.
Allow the paint to dry completely before applying the final coat.
Is there a special paint for baseboards?
Semi-gloss baseboard paint is a popular choice for its higher sheen, which makes it stand out and provides a visual contrast to matte walls. It is also durable, resisting dirt, scuffs, and dust, and protecting the wood from mold and mildew. To choose the right paint color, baseboards can be painted in white or off-white, with lighter shades giving a luminescent and clean appearance. Darker shades, such as black or dark brown, have gained popularity for a unique appearance. To paint baseboards, follow these six easy steps:
- Choose a color scheme: Choose a color scheme that complements the walls and creates a cohesive look.
- Choose a paint color: Choose a color that complements the walls and creates a cohesive look.
- Apply the paint: Apply the paint to the baseboards using a brush or roller, ensuring even coverage.
What kind of paint do you use for baseboard heaters?
Painting baseboard heater covers involves using either latex (water-based) or enamel (oil-based) paint. Special high-heat paint is not necessary for hot water baseboard heaters. Proper surface preparation is crucial, as the painting part is just the finishing touch. Primer coat is essential for those who may walk on the heaters. A paint job will only last as long as the original factory paint did before rusting, and it is often an annual tradition for bathroom baseboard heaters. The results of this small update can significantly improve the entire room.
How many coats of paint do primed baseboards need?
To prepare for painting baseboards and trim, apply one coat of primer and two or three coats of paint, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before moving on. Choose a gloss or semi-gloss paint sheen for durability. However, scraping, sanding, or removing old paint can release lead dust, which can cause serious illness, especially in children and pregnant women. Wear a NIOSH-approved respirator to control lead exposure and clean up with a HEPA vacuum and a wet mop. For more information on lead protection, contact the National Lead Information Hotline at 1-800-424-LEAD or visit epa. gov/lead.
Should you use primer on baseboards?
Baseboards without factory-applied primer or raw wood surfaces should be primed before painting. Previously primed or painted surfaces can also benefit from a primer coat. Mix the primer thoroughly, dip the brush with it, and apply it to the baseboards with horizontal strokes. The best painting technique is to hold the brush between thumb and forefinger, draw the brush horizontally with the tips slightly depressed against the baseboard, and load the brush with paint to about one-third of the bristle length. Use long, slow strokes and “keep a wet edge” to prevent lap marks as you progress along the baseboard.
What is the best paint for heat registers?
To clean a radiator, use a soft cloth and mild detergent to remove dust and dirt, and use a wire brush to remove loose rust. Primer areas with a latex rust inhibitor primer like Benjamin Moore’s Acrylic Metal Primer. Paint the radiator the same color as the wall to blend in with the wall. Place drop cloths under and next to the radiator to protect the floor. Replace old, cracked caulk with new, premium-quality caulk before priming.
A brush is the best application tool, but a small slim-jim roller may be used depending on the radiator’s size and style. Start at the top and work your way to the bottom, avoiding painting valves. Allow the paint to dry for at least 24 hours before turning the heat back on.
Is it better to paint baseboards with a brush or roller?
The most appropriate technique for painting trim is typically brushing, as it is the most efficient method for the majority of trim.
What is the best primer for baseboards?
In order to paint dark wood trim, it is recommended to use a stain-blocking primer such as Kilz or Zinzer. Once the surface has been primed, it should be smoothed and left to dry. In the case of repainting white baseboards, the application of a primer is unnecessary, as the entire surface can be painted directly.
What is the best paint finish for baseboards?
Designer-approved guidelines offer two paint finishes for everyday spaces: eggshell finish, suitable for bedrooms, bathrooms, living rooms, and kitchens, and semi-gloss finish, ideal for trims, cabinets, and doors in highly trafficked areas like mudrooms. Eggshell finish is more forgiving, durable, and easy to clean, while semi-gloss finish offers maximum durability, stain and scuff resistance, and is easier to clean. To choose the right paint color, refer to The 1 Secret to Choosing a Paint Color.
Do MDF baseboards need to be painted?
Baseboards, made of PVC, MDF, or wood, require paint or stain to protect and enhance their appearance. Before painting, consider your home’s design scheme and choose the right color. White and cream tones are common choices, but if you’re not comfortable with color choices, consider using other colors if needed. This will help you maximize the use of your baseboards as a design element.
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I use the BIN Shellac-based primer as a foundation coat on all my bare interior wood (moulding) that will be painted. Dries fast, good knot/grain coverage and dries quickly. I do have a question. What would you use for remodeling where you have a combination of dry wall surfaces – new bare drywall with mud, existing painted drywall that butts to the new stuff, and painted with spackle patches? I’m guessing the 1-2-3? Thanks.
Great info, thanks! I pulled some chair rail off and scrapped the loose/flakey latex paint – 123 should lock down the edges of the loose paint right? Going to sand the rest of the wall with 60 grit (eggshell latex) and skim coat – should I prime everything with 123 before skimming? Thanks is advance!
Thank you for your article. I taped off some walls around windows I was priming, but when I removed the blue tape it took old wall paint with it in random chunks and the brown drywall paper was exposed. I wanted to cry! I have never had such a disaster of painting. I already have the Zinsser 1-2-3, so was happy to hear I could prime these exposed areas of drywall with that and not make yet another trip to the paint store!!! I’m not sure why this happened in the first place though. I am guessing I sand down any rough edges then prime, then paint. If I need to level with some spackle, does the spackle go ON TOP of the primer or under it? Thank you. The only reason I didn’t hire a professional was time. OMG, last time I will paint for myself. Oy!
Like 68! How are you buddy? A good primer is half the battle! Love killz! I always use that primer! That stuff will cover anything! Great stuff! Zinsser is another great product! Great informational article too! Enjoyed the article from beginning to end! 👍 Always a full watch from the Animal Papa! Hope all is well with you my friend! Take care till next time and stay in touch! 🙂👍❤️
Great info Paul! I’ve used all of these except Guardz over the years. Have some water damage right now I need to take care of. My house is all old plaster and lathe, so no drywall here. It can be a pain, but I never get accidental dents or holes…this stuff is tough! Have a great new year. Live long and prosper!
Mahalo Brother for your ON POINT recommendation. I recently had my “Happy Wife Happy Life Kitchen renovation” completed and the electricians made a whole bunch of fun for me throughout the ceiling, so before i paint, i need to smooth down my chunky Mtn of mud…but after that…I will use that spray primer, painting the ceiling white so no primer for that, and my accent wall is green, which i will be only repainting the same or a little darker green( Paul, the little patch work on the green, would you suggest i primer a green spray because the new paint be absorbed? or no need) Mahalo again for all your help…Dana from Oahu…
What are your thoughts on Kilz Restoration (aka Max) primer? Have an 80 year old house where the trim/doors were originally painted with oil based and at some point have had a latex based on top. Have to scrape some of it, sand, and sometimes have a hard time with flaking when the oil based layer starts showing. Thanks!
Great article, I love the Zinsser and the Kilz products. I also use Kilz 2 for sealing things that don’t need the original oil-base Kilz. A great example is peeling paint on exterior wood trim on the outside of my house. I just spot primed the bare spots where the paint peeled off with some Kilz 2 before top-coating. Another case where you want to use primer even on already-painted surfaces is when you’re painting over old oil-base finishes on woodwork, cabinets or furniture. The previous owner of my house painted the banister that was originally an old lacquer finish. They just used regular latex paint without any primer, and now you can scrape the paint off with your fingernail. That’s why you always need a bonding primer like the Zinsser 123 before your new water-base paint. Another good one from Zinsser is Cover Stain. It’s tough to work with, but great for certain applications.
you might not know about newly plastered walls but i’ll ask anyway…. what do you recommend for blueboard with new plaster? is KILZ 2 latex good for new plaster? since this plaster is as smooth like glass, would you use a foam roller? what are your recommendations for fresh new smooth plastered walls?
I did a repair on my cathedral ceiling corner replacing some loose tape where house settled. I used plus 3 drywall compound as topcoat. The original paint is latex. Is it ok to use kiltz original or zissner 123 over the repaired areas and edges of original paint before repainting? Do I need to let the kiltz dry long time? Thanks.
We carry the SW high build spray can primer for spot priming, Zinsser Shields wall paper primer for obviously what the name states, Zinsser Bull Eye 123 primer as a general wall primer, instead of Gardz we like Zinsser BIN shellac based primer for mostly trim work and of course Roman Rx-35 PRO-999 for bare sheetrock walls. We spray almost all our primers except the Roman and have found these work the best. PVA primer is for amateurs… lol.
I’m getting ready to seal my walls after wallpaper removal. The original walls were painted and orange peal textured before wall paper was applied. I washed walls with warm water using towels to remove most of glue. This removed some of old texture and down to the drywall in some places. I’m going to retuxture walls and after that seal with oil based Kliz. Most recommend oil based primer after removing wall paper. My buddy says use latex primer because latex paint over an oil base is not reccomended…..I think he has old information.. Latex primer will wet the glue and lift it in my experience. What’s your recommendation or experience suggest? Thanks for the how to articles!