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cast iron radiators

Powder Coating for Radiator Restoration

Flawless finish. Dramatic look. Durable, long-lasting color

We get so many calls from around the country asking us: can you help me find a cast-iron radiator restoration company in my neck of the woods?

Why?

Because dry abrasive blasting — paired with expert powder coating — (when they are done right!) are simply the best solution to restoring old radiators.

By the way: we know from experience that doing it right isn’t easy.

We also know you love the warmth your old steam radiators give you on cold wintry days. So we’ve worked hard the last 10 years to develop the very best solution for restoring them.

Why choose powder coating over paint for vintage radiator restoration?

Antique Radiator restored powder coated antique bronze

The answer is simple. Water, when mixed with metal makes RUST. Once the original coating on your cast iron radiator is compromised, there will be spots of rust eating away at the metal.

Now these old dinosaurs have layers of peeling of paint. And you’re tired of endless cover-up chores just to make them look halfway decent. It’s exhausting.

In order to protect these beauties, it’s imperative to get every nook and cranny dry media blasted clean. Our team has the muscle, machinery, and know-how to get it done right.

But it doesn’t stop there. Once the beasts are blasted, they need to be coated properly to ensure water doesn’t invade. When these radiators were coated last time, paint was the only option.

Instead of trying to hide a lumbering eyesore from the guests you invited over for dinner, let us help you restore your radiators to their original distinction.

With the right color and finish, your radiators could blend into the background or intentionally stand out, enhancing your room’s vintage vibe.

The fun part? You get to choose the shade and finish from thousands of durable, long-lasting powder coating colors. Leave the final step of restoring your grubby looking cast iron radiators to our coating team.

Best of all, powder coating is made to withstand radiant heat. Your radiator will look and perform better than new.

When Should You Bring in Your Radiators?

Before and After Cast Iron Radiator Restoration

Radiator-restoration season starts with the robin’s first song and wraps up in September! And they pile up in our shop fast. So reach out early to get your beauties blasted and ready before the leaves fly!

Don’t let pool time distract you! Call us to schedule pick up and delivery for your radiators’ summer glow-up. You can have them stripped of all that old paint and corrosion and looking gorgeous just in time for sweater weather.

We specialize in cast iron radiator sandblasting and powder coating.

Using our expertise in surface preparation, we remove rust and corrosion in order to create flawless, even finishes. Our mission is to provide the best cast iron radiator restoration services in the North East.

 What to Expect with Our Process of Restoring Cast Iron Radiators

Discover the reasons we are renowned as the most recommended and best radiator sandblasting and powder coating service in CT, NY, NJ, MA and RI. Don’t just take our word for it. See examples in our portfolio, or read some of our customer testimonials here.

Cast Iron Radiators Refinished and Ready for Delivery

Let’s Get Started!

What do you we need? A photo of your item(s) may be helpful when providing a quote. Please tell us how many items, when you need them done, and if you will be dropping them off in Milford, CT or if need pick-up and delivery services.

  • Contact Us using our form. We will reply within 1 business day.
  • Call us at (203) 876-9876 to speak to someone
  • M-Th 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM.  Friday 8:00 AM – 3:30 PM. Saturday 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM.

Radiator Sandblasting and Powder Coating Service Locations

 

All radiators are serviced in our Milford, CT Sandblasting and Powder Coating at
80 Wampus Lane #13, Milford, CT 06460

Pick-up and Delivery Services in areas listed below

Vintage radiator restored powder coated BMW Silver Cast Iron Radiator RestorationWe Serve all of Connecticut:

  • Hartford, Bridgeport, Stamford, Waterbury, Danbury, Norwalk
  • Hartford County, Tolland County, New Haven County, New London County, Middlesex County, Litchfield County, Windham County, Fairfield County

We serve New York with Sandblasting and Powder Coating in the following areas:

  • New York City
  • Long Island
  • Westchester County
  • Nassau County
  • Suffolk County
  • Rockland County

We serve Massachusetts with Sandblasting and Powder Coating in the following areas:

  • Boston
  • Worcester
  • Springfield
  • Lowell
  • Cambridge
  • New Bedford

We serve Rhode Island with Sandblasting and Powder Coating in the following areas:

  • Providence
  • Warwick
  • Cranston
  • Pawtucket
  • Woonsocket
  • Newport

Powder Coating for Radiator Restoration Read More »

Old Radiator by Nic McPhee from Flickr

What to Know When Restoring Old Radiators

Steam heat is hot in renovating old homes. Bringing back the steam means cleaning and restoring old radiators to match the beauty of the room.

So when you want to get started restoring old radiators in your old home, here are a few things you need to know.

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people restore their old radiators to look better than new. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

Click the link below ⬇️ to see our radiator portfolio!

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

Spring and summer are best

Unless you are not living in the home, the best time to get vintage radiators stripped and refinished is spring or summer. Cold temps can pop up earlier than expected in New England. Expect a turn around time of about a few weeks or so for a full house of radiators, less for a one or two. Contact us and we can get you an estimate right away.

Cast Iron Radiators are Heavy

Cast Iron Radiators Refinished and Ready for Delivery
These suckers are HEAVY!

If you decide to go DIY, you will need to disconnect, drain and move the old radiators in order to strip and clean all the nooks and crannies of these old beauties.

If you decide to go pro, you must factor in moving and delivery costs for their restoration. Most places expect you to bring the items to them, increasing the cost of the project.

American Dry Stripping has a 24-foot, enclosed trailer that makes transportation of old radiators seamless and convenient. If you can get them to the driveway, we can move them from there.

Prep is Key

Radiators must be completely drained and dry inside. Cast is especially susceptible to oxidation so if any water is inside and drips out once the blasting is complete, rust will occur almost immediately.

Chemicals are complicated

Most states, including Connecticut, now have strict regulations on the disposal of toxic chemicals. So whether you decide to go DIY or pro, take this into account. Dipping radiators in an acid bath or using other chemical strippers is an option: one that requires the disposal of chemicals afterward.

Abrasive media blasting Sandblasting American Dry StrippingWorking with these chemicals on your own means investing in protective gear: goggles, gloves, suit and especially the correct breathing mask to prevent inhalation of toxic fumes.

Additionally, many old radiator paints contain lead, which makes working with chemicals and disposing of them even more problematic.

American Dry Stripping primary tool is air, contained in blast booths. We follow the strictest safety guidelines when it comes to blasting any surface with lead paint, including protecting our team with OSHA-certified blast hoods, body and hearing protection and using Grade‑D air supply. We use environmentally-friendly media whenever possible and ensure the proper disposal of blast waste.

Time is money

If you are thinking about restoring the radiators yourself, first do the math. Stripping and cleaning layers of old paint from ornate surface details and tiny spaces takes hours. Our method of dry abrasive media blasting (sometimes called ‘sandblasting’ though sand is rarely used anymore) radiators allows us to reach every centimeter of surface quickly, and cost effectively.

Any old paint won’t do

Restoring cast Iron Radiators, after blasting & Coating. "Champagne" finish
Cast Iron Radiators, after blasting & coating. This is a “Champagne” finish

Cast iron radiators reach temperatures of 180 to 250 degrees F.  They need to be coated with the right paint to avoid peeling, chipping and noxious off-gassing. There are high-heat wet paints available specifically for the job. However, they take time to apply and to dry, and still off-gas for a short period of time.

For the best result, we recommend you finish the job in-house with our experienced powder coating team, Xtreme Temperature Coatings. In powder coating, an electrically charged powder is applied to the radiator with a special gun, reaching all of the surfaces equally. The radiator is then cured in a 400-degree oven. The paints are available in a full range of colors. 

The result is an odorless, durable and scratch-resistant surface that will stand up to the test of time.

Contact Us

American Dry Stripping™ & Xtreme Coatings helps people restore their old radiators to look better than new. We are based in Milford, Connecticut and serve customers in metropolitan New York and surrounding counties, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. Contact us to learn more.

We offer a pick-up and delivery service.

What to Know When Restoring Old Radiators Read More »