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https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl DIY Forum >> Painting, Decorating & Tiling Questions >> Painting copper pipes https://www.askthetrades.co.uk/cgi-bin/yabb/YaBB.pl?num=1158216592 Message started by jimbocam on Sep 14^th, 2006, 7:49am

Title: Painting copper pipes
Post by jimbocam on Sep 14^th, 2006, 7:49am

What's the best way to get a nice white finish on copper pipes?

Prime then gloss? Radiator paint?

Title: Re: Painting copper pipes
Post by AndyOlds on Sep 14^th, 2006, 1:29pm

Hi Jimbocam,

Firstly, I'm not a decorator - just someone who has tried a few things out and learnt mostly through trial and error!

I painted the copper 'tails' to the radiators in our living room and dining room about 6 years ago. As I remember, I used radiator primer followed by radiator enamel. I only used that as I had another radiator to paint elsewhere at the same time.

The pipes still look nice and white and don't have any chips - despite being hit by the hoover a good few times!

I made sure that I gave the primer a good key first by rubbing down with a relatively fine steel wool befoe painting.

Seems to have done the job for me.

Title: Re: Painting copper pipes
Post by corablimey on Sep 14^th, 2006, 5:44pm

I have never painted pipes or radiators with radiator paint, I have always used oil-based paint, and they have looked really nice, and they have lasted.
To keep your rad staying white much longer if you have a quick hand, and a big brush lol, try and do the top coat, eg gloss, with the rad on, this will stop the paint from yellowing.

For your pipes, I would undercoat with oilbase U/C that stops them turning green, any oilbase stops them turning green, if you want them white, then you would U/C a couple of times, then either satinwood or gloss as atop coat, again in Oilbase.

Title: Re: Painting copper pipes
Post by hamilton on Sep 14^th, 2006, 6:25pm

Bloody beat me to it! ;D

Title: Re: Painting copper pipes
Post by polecat on Sep 14^th, 2006, 7:54pm

and me mate.

she said she was fast in an earlier post. :) :) : ;)

Title: Re: Painting copper pipes
Post by Twobarrows on Sep 21^st, 2006, 12:07am

....or use the clip on plastic covers.

Title: Re: Painting copper pipes
Post by hamilton on Sep 21^st, 2006, 7:10am

That's cheating. :o

Title: Re: Painting copper pipes
Post by WOLF on Sep 21^st, 2006, 4:28pm

but it works dear chap!!!!
and no cleaning of brushes after!!!

Title: Re: Painting copper pipes
Post by hamilton on Sep 21^st, 2006, 4:55pm

So how do you paint the little clip on plastic covers? ;)