We often take little notice of our radiators, seeing them as a functional rather than decorative home feature, but a smart-looking radiator can really add to your home's interior style.
With a fresh lick of paint, you can transform a tired-looking radiator into a wall feature that blends into your room's look, or of course stand out if you fancy a pop of colour. White is an obvious go-to if you want a timeless radiator that'll withstand numerous wall colour changes, but a bold pink, yellow or orange radiator can make for a fun room accessory. To help you find a radiator paint to match your preferred style, we've rounded up a list of the best radiator paints on the market. From funky colours, to white spray cans for efficient application, we've got you - and your radiator - covered.
For more of our paint content, check out the best anti-mould paint and the best paint for kitchen cabinets. You can also jump to our short buyer's guide for more on what to consider when painting your radiator.
Best radiator paint
Rust-Oleum Blue Heat Resistant Radiator Paint
Best for a bright makeover
- matt finish
- 750ml
Rust-Oleum has been around for over 100 years, a trusted brand for all of our DIY painting tasks. The paint company is a popular pick for tackling rust and mould, so it's a top choice for your radiators.
The brand's radiator paint is mould resistant and non-yellowing, plus the matt finish is ideal for contemporary homes. Unsure on colour? With over 100 options to browse through - including coastal blue and duck egg - you're sure to find a perfect match for every room of the house. We've opted for a bright and breezy teal which would look lovely in a bathroom.
Looking for painting tips? Check out our step-by-step guide on how to paint a radiator.
Polar Premium Satin White Radiator Spray Paint
Best radiator spray paint
- satin finish
- 400ml
You'll see lots of spray radiator paints on the market, and they're a great option for quick touch ups. Just place an old cloth behind the radiator to protect your walls, and spray the paint directly onto the radiator. No need for mixing or fidgety paint brush work.
Polar's heat resistant formula aims to protect your radiator from everyday knocks and bumps so it's a solid option for heavy traffic hallways. The white satin coating is ideal for a classic look, and the subtle sheen will add an elegant touch. No primer required.
Frenchic Chalk Wall Paint
Best matte radiator paint
- Buy now from Frenchic Paint (£9.95)
- ultra matte
- 250ml
We're huge fans of Frenchic's paint here at YourHomeStyle due to the low VOC content and wide collection of stunning colours. The brand's ultra matte chalk wall paint can be used on powder coated radiators and there are over 100 colours to browse. The bon bon colour, a fun candy pink (calling all Barbiecore enthusiasts) is a sweet choice and it's not too loud if you're looking for a colourful, yet subtle choice.
The water based paint is highly scrubbable, and thanks to its versatile nature, you're sure to get plenty of use out of it. As well as walls, this paint can be used on internal woodwork, tiles and concrete, so it's a top pick for your upcycling projects.
Rustins Quick Dry Radiator Paint
Best value
- gloss finish
- 250ml
Rustins' quick dry radiator paint offers a speedy drying time of 30 minutes, so it's one to consider if you're looking to get the job done efficiently. This is an enamel paint which is a great choice for areas subject to wear and tear, such as a hallway radiator, as the paint tends to create a hard shell. The white paint is ideal for a classic look if you'd rather keep things nice and straightforward.
If you're not a fan of the gloss look, this radiator paint is also available in satin which offers a lower sheen.
Ronseal Stays White Radiator Paint
Best white radiator paint
- satin finish
- 750ml
Another quick drying white radiator paint to consider. Ronseal's radiator paint is all about keeping your radiators as white as possible, so expect a pristine finish and durable coat. The large 750ml paint pot is handy to have to hand - cover more than one radiator at a time and create a smart, uniform look throughout your home.
Plus, this paint doesn't require any primer so you can save yourself a coat!
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Hammerite Radiator Enamel Satin Paint
Best hard wearing radiator paint
- Buy now from Wickes (£18.00)
- satin finish
- 500ml
Hammerite is ideal for hardy paint jobs, and the brand's radiator paint works on hot water pipes too. The heat resistant enamel paint offers a satin finish, and the brilliant white colour is perfect for a timeless radiator that'll work with a range of interior trends.
You can also buy Hammerite's radiator enamel aerosol for faff-free application.
Little Greene Intelligent Eggshell
Best for country interior
- Buy now from Brewers (£75.50)
- eggshell
- 2.5L
Eggshell is a popular paint finish due to its contemporary low sheen finish, and wipeable nature. A hassle free finish that offers a relaxed, on-trend look. James 108 is a gentle powder blue so it would look stunning paired with creams and darker blues for a tranquil and welcoming hallway.
While Little Greene is at the more expensive end of the scale, the brand's versatile eggshell paint can be used throughout the home - walls, ceilings and woodwork - and comes in a large 2.5L pot.
For more on paint finishes, read our guide: which paint finish is best for you?
Do I need to prime a radiator?
Always check your radiator's top coat to see whether a primer is necessary as paints can vary. This may also effect your decision when choosing a radiator paint, as you may prefer to miss out the primer step if possible. If your radiator is in need of some TLC with patches of metal exposed, then we'd recommend a primer to seal the surface.
What happens if I use normal paint to paint a radiator?
The paint's ability to withstand heat is of course a hugely significant factor when choosing a radiator paint, and normal paint can blister, bubble and peel off when exposed to high temperatures. Normal paint - particularly thick paint - may also prevent the radiator from releasing heat, as it could have insulating qualities. We'd always therefore recommend opting for a specialised radiator paint. If you have a particular paint brand that you love to use, it's worth checking whether any of its versatile paints are suitable for radiators - you may be pleasantly surprised!
Looking for a whole new look altogether? Check out the most stylish radiators on the market.
