Non-motoring > Rusty radiator	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Iffy	Replies: 35

New Sun 29 Jul 12 09:49   Rusty radiator - Iffy

Some surface rust has appeared on the bottom seam of the radiator in the bathroom at the caravan. It is what I would describe as a standard chespish central heating rad - painted mild steel at a guess. Condensation is never far away in a caravan, so I suspect the general environment of the bathroom - even using the fan and opening the window - is quite harsh. Any ideas - preferably simple ones - for treating the rust? Last edited by: Iffy on Sun 29 Jul 12 at 09:50 Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 09:57   Rusty radiator - Zero

It could be surface rust, or it could be inside coming out rust. (due to the bottom of the rad being sludged up internally) So "carefully" is the watch word for treatment here, or you could end up with a hole in the radiator Ah! you said seam? so I guess it well away from the internal water part? Treat it like a car, sand it, kurust it, and spray it with a can of paint. Last edited by: Zero on Sun 29 Jul 12 at 09:58 Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 10:00   Rusty radiator - Bigtee

Rub it down on the bottom seam with emery cloth then paint it with primer then gloss for another year. Or get shut and fit a chrome towel rail. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 10:07   Rusty radiator - Iffy

Is metal primer and 'kurust' much the same thing? Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 10:10   Rusty radiator - Bigtee

I just used primer Dulux what i got to do the door frame you only need a small amount, or just build it up with gloss a few coates. It will come back again next year or one after, mine was the same in the bathroom. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 11:01   Rusty radiator - Zero

Nice one BigTee. Give iffy a method you just admitted doesn't work.... LOL Thats why you use kurust. No its not undercoat or metal primer. Last edited by: Zero on Sun 29 Jul 12 at 11:02 Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 11:23   Rusty radiator - sherlock47

Why bother repainting - It is probably cheaper to buy a new small radiator rather than brushes, paint, kurust, brush cleaner.......... Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 11:24   Rusty radiator - Zero

And a plumber to fit it........ Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 11:25   Rusty radiator - sherlock47

Easier to fit than painting it! Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 11:28   Rusty radiator - Zero

This is iffy we are talking about. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 11:32   Rusty radiator - sherlock47

Sorry - I had not included carpet cleaning after spilling the paint, visit to A&E with screwdriver embedded in wrist from trying to open the can, ongoing taxi fares at being unable to drive due to hand injury..... a polish plumber might be a bargain! Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 11:41   Rusty radiator - Clk Sec

>> And a plumber to fit it... Quite right. I'm a dab hand at removing radiators, but not so clever at replacing them. As a frequent painter of bathroom radiators (yes, they all tend to rust at the seems), I just apply the usual undercoat and Dulux Once gloss, and leave it at that. No problems so far, and they look pretty for another year or so. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 11:47   Rusty radiator - Dog

The trick is to remove all the rust in the first place, then you wont need to use Kurust. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 12:19   Rusty radiator - Robin O'Reliant

Move house and let someone else have the problem. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 12:30   Rusty radiator - Fullchat

Got to say I have a small rad in the downstairs loo which rusted at the bottom. To do a proper job the thing has to be removed anyway. Good rub down, I went to the lengths of Nitromorsing the front as the rust had krept a long way, Kurust, etch primer, radiator enamel (couple of coats) and refitted. The same rad was in B & Q for round about the £20 mark so really it wasn't worth all the pratting about. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 13:11   Rusty radiator - Bigtee

And a plumber to fit it........ Look here you spotter nip up North do your thing with the camera then pop along and fit him one.!! :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 13:46   Rusty radiator - Dutchie

Rub it with emery cloth.Coat of paint should be ok.If its a old radiator or rust from inside replace it. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 14:41   Rusty radiator - madf

I've repaired two at home: Grind off all rust with an electric drill and wire brush . (By hand is a waste of time). Apply a rust dissolver - which dissolves rust and flush it off. Twice. (see Halfords) Apply Kurust. Leave for 24 hours. Prime with a zinc rich primer Undercoat x2 Final coat Bit of a pia and rather messy - best done in empty garage due to rust particles and wear goggles and face mask in grinding. Done properly : no more rust Done poorly (my first time:-( - more rust in 24 months. Last edited by: madf on Sun 29 Jul 12 at 14:42 Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 15:21   Rusty radiator - devonite

Galvafroid paint! - protects boat trailers from rusting after regular dunkings in the briny, so should protect a loo radiator from an odd P-splash! Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 29 Jul 12 16:20   Rusty radiator - Fullchat

The metal is none too thick but have a good look at deep rust spots they may be porous. Angle grinder with wire brush makes short work. I think the problem arises when the rads are first fitted and they are moved around taking the paint off the bottom edge, exposing the metal and allowing any moisture/condensation to begin it's task. The trick is a good seal of paint, particularly along the bottom to keep the damp out. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 01:26   Rusty radiator - VxFan

>> Thats why you use kurust. I've heard superglue is just as good as a rust remedy. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 04:05   Rusty radiator - Runfer D'Hills

>>I've heard superglue is just as good as a rust remedy. Amazing how much one can glean about owning a Vauxhall from one small sentence... :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 09:39   Rusty radiator - Dutchie

Never heard of superglue as a rust remedy.I've always painted the radiators every year.Use a gloss and they look smart again. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 10:27   Rusty radiator - VxFan

>> Never heard of superglue as a rust remedy. I'm sure I read about it somewhere. The ingredients are similar. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 11:34   Rusty radiator - CGNorwich

Mail headline - 'Missing Man Found Glued to Radiator in Caravan' Reply to this message | Report message       1

New Mon 30 Jul 12 13:28   Rusty radiator - Ambo

I take it you don't have a peeing cat around? Cat urine causes rapid rust. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 14:44   Rusty radiator - madf

Cat urine causes rapid rust. I had a cat pee on me once (it was poorly). I have yet to develop rust. Last edited by: madf on Mon 30 Jul 12 at 14:44 Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 15:55   Rusty radiator - Zero

>> Cat urine causes rapid rust. >> >> I had a cat pee on me once (it was poorly). If a cat peed on me it would be poorly alright.. Dead in fact. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 16:57   Rusty radiator - Pat

Now there's a man with a heart (madf)...Zero, please learn by example, it would make you so much more appealing to women too. Pat Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 17:09   Rusty radiator - Zero

Hmmm, So you are saying Women like men who smell of cat pee? I thought Brute was out of fashion these days. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 17:11   Rusty radiator - Pat

They adore men who smell of cat pee Z, if the cat was poorly and they were comforting it. You really have no idea......... Pat Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 19:50   Rusty radiator - madf

>> They adore men who smell of cat pee Z, if the cat was poorly and >> they were comforting it. >> >> You really have no idea......... >> >> >> Pat >> Pat Please tell Mrs madf what a modern man I am... she tells me frequently I am insensitive,uncaring ,mean and uncultured.. Meanwhile let me not interrupt a well deserved paean of praise.. unaccustomed as I am to them :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 14:57   Rusty radiator - Cliff Pope

>> >> Never heard of superglue as a rust remedy. >> >> I'm sure I read about it somewhere. The ingredients are similar. >> www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/travel-hints-and-tips/interesting-use-for-superglue-29185 I discovered its use on wounds myself. The advice not to use it to glue a crown back on came too late. I did it a few weeks ago just before going on holiday. No ill effects (yet) and the crown has stayed on a lot longer than the dentist's job (ie about half an hour). I've also used it for sealing a leaking petrol tank. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 21:29   Rusty radiator - Roger.

Use Windex! (cf. My Big Fat Greek Wedding!) Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 21:37   Rusty radiator - MD

Can we just have a whip round for a new Rad PLEASE. Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 30 Jul 12 21:39   Rusty radiator - Runfer D'Hills

Too late. I think PUs done 'im in. Reply to this message | Report message