Best Radiator Paint in 2021 Comprehensive Review

Quick to use, this one coat radiator paint from Ronseal ticks all the key best radiator paint boxes. It’s a lovely glossy white formulated to stay exactly that, so it shouldn’t fade or yellow over time. And the other bonus is that it’s a one-coat formula that doesn’t take an age to dry. Simply paint on with a brush, leave for an hour and you should be good to go.  Ronseal have developed this heat resistant white radiator paint to be used with no need for a primer, but you do need to ensure the surface is clean and grit free for a smooth, neat finish.

Keep your radiators looking brilliant for longer with this heat resistant white radiator paint from Hammerite. Formulated to resist yellowing as well as rust, this is a good choice for water-filled radiators as it’s also heat resistant and goes on smoothly.

The consistency is not as thick as some other radiator paints, so you may need a couple of coats, but if you finish with a small gloss roller, you will get a smooth finish. Without the need to use a primer, it’s also low odour so not irritating to use. It does take up to six hours to be touch dry, but you do get a lovely gloss shine to make your radiators really pop.

If full on gloss is not your radiator thing, then check out the mid-sheen of Dulux’s Quick Dry Satinwood. Formulated for both wood and metal, this is a quality paint that works well on radiators and, as it’s self-undercoating, there’s no need to prime. It is at the top end of our best radiator paint budget, but it’s a generous 2.5 litre tin which covers 30m². Use a brush or roller to apply to your radiator then leave for around six hours to touch dry – it may need more for full dryness. You also get a choice of colours, so if you don’t want white, you can make more of a colour feature of your radiators.

For running touch ups as well as re-paint, Rust-Oleum’s Radiator Enamel leaves your white radiators with a super-glossy finish. The aerosol action is pretty smooth and gives a controllable mist, but you do need to either remove your radiator or cover up your flooring and walls to avoid any mess. However, it’s quick to use, water resistant and won’t yellow or fade, drying to a hard enamel that resists temperatures up to 80 degrees C. And it provides rust protection too. One to have in your DIY collection to keep your white radiators looking pristine.

For when you don’t want to wait, Rustins radiator enamel paint is touch dry in 30 minutes. Meaning you can do your radiator touch ups or full repaint and be back to heating your home in a few hours. In a white satin formula that’s heat resistant, this water-based enamel radiator paint won’t yellow but you do need to use a separate radiator primer to get the best results. Rustins Quick Drying Radiator Paint can be used on all radiators, except oil radiators, and is a handy touch up for the outer of fridges and freezers too. What we also like about this enamel radiator paint is it’s pretty much mess free, and you only need water to clean your brushes when you have finished.

The ultimate multi-tasker, Rust-Oleum’s all surface paint is also a paint and primer in one. Suitable for wood, metal (including radiators), plastic and ceramic, this rich formula also works well to cover rust, leaving you with a smooth and colour-perfect surface. And, if you are looking to move away from traditional glossy white, then check out the colours – we like the cool slate grey.

It is a small tin, but applied with a roller, you can get it to go further with a lovely smooth and even finish. It does take a little longer than others to dry – can be handled after eight hours, although won’t be fully hard for up to a week. And, when using on galvanised metal, Rust-Oleum do recommend a metal specific primer so if in doubt, don’t skip on the prime and prep.

At a good value price, this Quick Dry Satin wood and metal paint from Johnstone’s is a good one to have in the cupboard for when you need to do those running repairs. And, as it’s a decent 1.25 litre capacity, it can also cover several full radiators, depending on their size. Non-yellowing and in a brilliant white, it’s worth preparing with a radiator primer first to get the very best results. And as it is water-based, it dries in under two hours, leaving very little odour as it dries. For a smooth finish, we suggest one to two coats, finished with a roller to blend away any brush marks.

Creating a lovely satin white finish that’s long-lasting, this spray radiator paint goes on smooth. Heat resistant, the colour looks fresh too, with no yellowing or fading, although you may need a couple of applications to get the look you want.

The spray is keen so cover up the radiator controls and protect your surfaces but it’s quick, coating a decent area in no time. What we also like about Hammerite’s Radiator Enamel is that it helps to prevent rust forming. The surface takes a little while to set, but it should be touch dry within 4-6 hours although it’s advisable to leave it 24 hours before you switch your heating back on. And the result is a smart refresh of your radiators that also helps to keep them protected thanks to the durable and tough finish.