How to Paint Steam Pipes
Painting steam pipes is a project that most homeowners can accomplish. You need to consider a few things before painting metals and steam lines. Metal will require a special paint. You also need a heat resistant paint. If you are painting old pipes you will need to strip them and drain the lines. This will also mean shutting down the furnace. It is best to do the project in the summer.
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Turn off all the water to the boiler and drain the lines. You need to do this even in the summer since the moisture from condensation may cause the paint to cure incorrectly.
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Scrape the length of the pies you are going to paint to remove old paint and to rough the surface so that the paint will adhere to it. Old flaking paint will cause the new coat to become prone to flaking because of the heat.
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Paint the lines with the metal and heat specific paint. A smaller paintbrush will make the project easier and cleaner since there will not be as much dripping. It is best to start the project early in the morning since this will give you a longer drying period in warmer hours.
References
- "Complete Home Repair Manual;" Time-Life Books; 1987
Writer Bio
Philip Powe started writing in 1987 for St. Louis area newspapers. He has since written for "St. Clair County Historical Society Journal" and the "American Association of State and Local Historians Journal." Concentrations are in home and garden, philosophy and history. Powe holds a Master of Arts in intellectual history from Southern Illinois University.
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