How to paint bathroom pipes yourself?

With the beginning of the widespread introduction of plastic as a material for the manufacture of pipes, steel has somewhat lost its position, but metal pipes still remain in demand.

Painting heating pipes

There are several reasons for this:

1. Strength of steel pipes. Thanks to this quality, they are unrivaled for use in high-pressure pipelines. This property allows the use of pipes with a wall several times thinner than that of plastic pipes.
2. Low coefficient of thermal expansion. Due to this, when heated, a steel pipe has a linear expansion that is 15-20 times less than polyethylene pipes.
3. Ability to provide 100% tightness. Therefore, steel pipes have no alternative when used in closed engineering systems.

The main disadvantage is their vulnerability to iron corrosion. Without protection against iron corrosion, pipes have a service life of no more than 10 years, and their performance begins to noticeably decline after two to three years of operation.

Painting a square metal pipe

To protect iron from corrosion, various methods are used, the most common of which is coating the surface of pipes with anti-corrosion paint. But the use of such paints requires the complete absence of rust on the surface being treated.

The problem is that steel begins to corrode iron from the moment it is made, which is why the surface of the pipes must be thoroughly cleaned before painting. Processing is a labor-intensive and costly process; often such processing is simply impossible due to the inaccessibility of the required area.

The problem is solved by using paints that can be applied to metal over rust.

Types of paints for metal surfaces

Paints used for application to metal surfaces are divided into the following types:

1. Oil paints consisting of natural oils. They are sensitive to temperature changes, so they are used for painting indoor pipes. They provide some protection against corrosion, but its degree is low and the protection does not last very long.
2. Epoxy enamels that contain toxic resins. They are mainly used to protect industrial pipelines. But their main purpose is to provide protection from high-temperature influences; they protect against corrosion only slightly better than oil paint.
3. The main area of ​​application of alkyd paints is painting galvanized steel surfaces. They are characterized by a high degree of adhesion to the working surface, but at the same time, they cannot withstand high temperatures and easily catch fire.
4. Of all the above types of paints, acrylic paints provide the best anti-corrosion protection. Due to their immunity to temperature fluctuations, they can be used for both indoor and outdoor use.

Metal paint

Important! Before painting, you should make sure that it corresponds to the temperature conditions in which the painted product is expected to be used.

Types of paint for pipes

The pipe can be painted with anything. For example, the same painting of a cold water riser is done with oil paint, nitro enamel, water-based emulsion, and any other medium. Only if you choose “any other environment”, then the effect of painting the pipe can be anything: positive, neutral, or negative. Therefore, pipes are painted only with the right paints. Which paint will be “correct” depends on the specific pipe and specific operating conditions.

For external pipelines, red lead is the best option . This paint oxidizes the outer metal layer of the pipe, forming a hard film of lead-iron oxide. Such a film prevents further oxidation of steel both under the influence of the atmosphere and under the influence of water.

The enamel group of coloring media is not the worst option for pipe paint.

This type of paint dries in 24 hours, forming a very durable film on the metal surface. Enamel paints can withstand temperature changes from -50 to 60 degrees Celsius.

The average service life of an enamel coating is 5-8 years. Well, if you increase the number of layers, the service life of the painted surface will increase significantly. Moreover, the paint consumption for each layer will only decrease - the surface painted with emulsion no longer absorbs paint.

Internal surfaces are treated with paints with slightly different physical and chemical properties. 100-degree temperature changes in the room are out of the question. Direct exposure to water is also rare.

Therefore, the main option for pipes inside the house is oil paint or water emulsion.

The latter option is attractive due to its complete absence of odor. After all, water emulsion involves dissolving the coloring pigment in water, and not in acetone or drying oil. And the source of the stupefying smell of paint is the solvent.

Painting hot surfaces

For painting hot surfaces, only oil paint is ideal. It tolerates fairly high temperatures. When heated above 250-300 degrees Celsius, oil paint turns into real armor, covering the entire surface of the pipe with a durable crust.

In addition, on hot surfaces, oil paint can last for 10 and 15 years. Just choose the color of the dye. After all, under the influence of a hot environment, it fades in a matter of years and bright colors are not appropriate here.

How to paint pipes?

Painting pipes does not require any special skills. Even a beginner in the field of painting can do this job. However, there are still some subtleties in this procedure.

Therefore, before painting the pipe, you better listen to the following recommendations:

• Do not paint the pipe over the remaining layer of old paint. It is better to remove all traces of the work of previous painters to the surface of the metal. As a last resort, it is allowed to leave intact those layers that are no longer separated from the surface of the pipe. However, all bubbles, scales and loose areas must be removed mercilessly.
• hold off on painting the cold pipe. After all, moisture always settles on the surface of such a pipeline - condensation.

Before painting, the pipe must be heated to room temperature and blotted with a rag until dry.

• Always prime the pipe surface. Yes, for this you will also have to buy a primer. But when you see how much paint can go on a pipe without a primer, you will simply be horrified! So primer is not an additional expense, but a means of saving!
• use different tools. Don't settle on just one option: just a brush or just a roller. After all, the same paint for hot pipes is best applied not with these tools, but with a spray gun. So just buy a brush, a roller, and a sprayer. In any case, they will be useful to you. After all, this is not the last time you paint a pipe.
• apply layers in different directions. That is, if you applied the first layer along the movement of the liquid in the pipe, then the second layer must be applied across the flow of the transported medium.
• Do not start painting without calculating the volume of paint itself. Especially if you use a non-standard color scheme obtained by mixing several colors.

Features of paints for working on rust

In order for rust paint to provide maximum anti-corrosion protection, manufacturers use a combined approach, trying to combine the properties of conventional paints with the properties of a protective primer and a rust converter.

Because of this, the range of such paints is very diverse and every day it is replenished with new names. The same can be said about their recipe.

Rust paints can be very roughly classified according to the following criteria:

1. What main type of paint are they based on?
2. For what purposes are they intended?
3. What temperature conditions are they designed for?
4. What are the main components included in their composition?

Painting a metal pipe

It is not surprising that it is not easy to classify rust paint as a specific type. Each description represents a combination of different performance characteristics.

This can be illustrated using the example of one of the most popular groups of dyes – hammer dyes.

Which paint is best suited for heating pipes?

To answer the common question: which paint is best suited for heating pipes, you need to familiarize yourself with the types of coloring compositions:

• acrylic enamels;
• alkyd paints;
• water-dispersed enamels.

Acrylic. Such compositions are quite common today. Acrylic enamels are made based on organic solvents, which affects their smell during painting. They have a sharp, unpleasant odor, but lines painted with such paints retain a dense glossy finish for many years. Another advantage of these paints is that the communications on which they are applied are easy to clean.

Alkyd. Like the previous type of paint, alkyd compositions are quite popular and have a wide range of shades. They have an unpleasant odor that persists even after the composition dries. The main advantage is high strength.

Hammer paint for rust

Hammer paint owes its name to the appearance of the finish it creates. It looks like it was hammered with a small hammer. This effect is achieved due to the fact that it contains aluminum and silicone components.

Any hammer paint has increased adhesion, that is, hammer paint provides high-quality adhesion to the surface being painted. Therefore, painting can be done over rust.

Important! Hammer paint cannot be applied to surfaces that have flaking rust. In this case, preliminary cleaning is necessary before painting.

Typically, hammer paint is produced in the form of a suspension of anti-corrosion metal pigments and fillers in synthetic resins or varnishes, supplemented with silicone and other components.

Thanks to pigments, it is available in a wide range of colors: black, blue, yellow and so on. But the most popular are black and brown paint, since painting with them gives the maximum decorative effect.

Functionally, hammer paint acts as a primer, as an anti-corrosion protection, as a rust converter due to inhibitors, and as a decorative enamel, which provides additional protection.

Hammer paint for rust

Therefore, it is not necessary to apply a separate primer before painting.

Hammer enamel is used for painting not only steel, but also galvanized surfaces. In addition, it can be used for painting surfaces made of non-ferrous metals.

Before use, the enamel is mixed to obtain a homogeneous mass.

The working surface is cleaned with a stiff brush and degreased.

1. The first layer of enamel acts as a primer.
2. The second layer, due to the silicone elements that the enamel contains, enhances the anti-corrosion effect, preventing the infiltration of moisture microparticles through the protective layer, resulting in the creation of a waterproof film.
3. The third layer acts like hammer enamel, creating a decorative effect and at the same time being another barrier to corrosion.

Thus, a line of triple protection against iron corrosion is created, waterproof and sufficiently resistant to mechanical stress.

Important! Hammer paint is not heat resistant. As a rule, its operation is allowed at temperatures not exceeding 150 degrees.

Painting stages

It should be taken into account that even the highest quality and most expensive paint will not guarantee a successful result if the surface of the pipelines has not been properly prepared.

Preparing for painting

Painting of pipes should begin only when they are cleaned of dirt, old paint, sanded, degreased and primed. We offer you an indicative algorithm of actions for preparing the heating main for painting.

• remove all dirt and dust from pipes and radiators using a damp cloth or brush;
• clean the surface to a metallic shine with sandpaper or a special drill attachment;
• sanding and degreasing with white spirit or other solvent;
• treatment with anti-corrosion primer.

When preparing pipes for painting, you can use some tips. You can soften old paint and rust using a chemical remover, and then easily remove it with a spatula. It is better to use an alkyd-based primer, because it will improve the adhesive characteristics of the metal surface, and the paint will adhere better to the surface.

If you have not neglected any of the preparation stages, you can be sure that painting your heating pipes will make them attractive and reliably protected from corrosion.

How is painting done?

Before painting pipes and radiators, cover the floor under the heating line with film or old newspapers. The wall behind the battery can be covered with masking tape or protected with a sheet of thick cardboard.

Use a small soft bristle brush, foam roller or spray gun. The choice of tool depends on your skills and the specific features of a given heating line.

The tops of the pipes and radiators should be painted first. The bottom of the pipe is painted last, so as not to spoil it with smudges and stains. If you need to apply multiple layers of paint, allow time for each coat to dry.

If you use a spray gun or spray paint, the painting process will go much faster. However, first study the sprayer’s operating instructions and find out from what distance the pigment can be transferred.

Aerosol paint for metal

Aerosol paint for metal against rust comes in three types:

1. Standard, used for simple one-layer painting.
2. Double, which acts as primer and enamel. Its advantage is that before painting the surface there is no need to apply a separate primer to it.
3. A universal aerosol paint that simultaneously acts as a primer, regular enamel and a rust converter.

Aerosol paint for metal

To work on rust, type 3 aerosol paint is used. One can of it is enough to apply to a surface of approximately 3.5 m2, with a layer 0.05 mm thick. Therefore, spray paint on metal is not used over large areas. It is advisable to use it for small surface areas.

Aerosol paint for metal and rust is especially convenient for touching up damaged paint layers and for painting hard-to-reach places.

As a rule, aerosol paint for metal against rust is multifunctional; in addition to working on steel surfaces, it is suitable for painting non-ferrous metals, as well as wood, plaster and stone.

How to calculate paint consumption for pipes?

There is only one way to calculate the volume of paint spent on painting a pipe - by comparing paint consumption rates per 1 square meter and the area of ​​the surface to be painted.

The paint consumption per “square” of surface to be painted will be indicated on each can. These data are calculated by the paint manufacturer itself.

The area of ​​the surface to be painted, in this case a pipe, is calculated as the area of ​​the cylinder. The calculation formula determines this value as the product of the length of the pipe and the circumference of the cross-section of the product. Those who are too lazy to calculate the circumference using a special formula can measure this value with a flexible meter right on the spot.

As a result, knowing the area of ​​the surface to be painted and the paint consumption per “square”, we simply multiply these values, obtaining the exact volume of paint consumption in liters. Moreover, this volume will be spent on only one layer. And if you need several layers of paint, multiply the consumption per layer by the estimated number of layers.

Source: vsetrybu.ru

Properties of aerosol against rust

Spray paint creates a durable finish. The waterproof protection it creates serves as a reliable barrier against atmospheric moisture and temperature changes. It also plays a protective role against moderate chemical exposure. Therefore, it can be used for both domestic and industrial facilities.

During operation, it shows high physical stability, so the coating formed by it is quite elastic, does not delaminate or crack.

Usually on aerosol cans it is written that it is heat-resistant. But it must be remembered that it contains rust converters, which are vulnerable to high temperature exposure. Therefore, the painted coating is intended for use at temperatures not exceeding 150 degrees.

If it is expected that the product to be painted will operate in an environment with a higher temperature, a special heat-resistant aerosol of the second type is used. It is worth mentioning that before painting with such an aerosol, primer must be applied to the working surface.

The first layer dries to a non-sticky state in a quarter of an hour, its complete drying occurs in half an hour.

Rust paint

The second layer can be applied two hours after the first layer has dried.

Types of paints for external and internal gas pipelines

Almost any external compositions that can provide reliable anti-corrosion protection are suitable for external gas pipeline structures.

Alkyd enamels (PF-115). A classic option that has been used for many years. The advantages of alkyd enamels are that they are resistant to weathering. After drying, they form a dense layer, the service life of which is at least 5 years.

Polyurethane coloring compounds. Provide good adhesion to the pipe and have a high coefficient of elasticity. The service life of these compounds ranges from 10 to 12 years.

Two-component epoxy compounds. They are resistant to wear and less elastic than polyurethane coatings.

Dispersions of aluminum or zinc powder in varnish, represented by organic material. They are the most resistant to corrosion compounds. The service life of a pipeline structure that has been painted with this composition can reach several decades.

Paint for internal gas pipes should not be vapor permeable to ensure the pipe is insulated from water vapor and oxygen. Almost all types of paint compositions are suitable for painting internal gas transmission lines (for both external and internal work).

Special attention should be paid to fire-resistant coatings, which, when directly exposed to high temperatures, turn into carbon foam. This coating can protect the pipeline from exposure to flame for 45 minutes.

Preparing the work surface

1. Surface treatment for aerosol painting is carried out in the same way as for rust enamel in the form of a suspension.
2. The surface is cleaned with a stiff brush to remove dirt deposits, loose rust and old paint residues.
3. Then it is degreased using gasoline or acetone.
4. After this, the surface is washed with soapy water and dried.

Cleaning pipes from rust

Degreasing, priming and painting the surface

After removing the main layer of rust using one of the above methods, the surface must be degreased to ensure good paint adherence. Any strong detergent will do for this.

The next and final stage of preparing the surface for painting is coating it with a primer. This step should not be skipped if you want your surface to look smooth and evenly colored. Apply the primer according to the instructions mechanically or using a sprayer.

That's it, now you can paint. Apply paint to the surface using a brush, roller or spray. It is recommended to paint in two layers, so that there will definitely be no unpainted areas left on the surface.

And if the metal is so rusty that there is no point in painting it, it may still be worth replacing the part with a new one and getting rid of the old one. You can do this even by earning a little extra money. You can find out where to donate scrap metal on this website. They will gladly accept your metal products and pay good money for it.

© OchProsto.com

Source: OchProsto.com

Mode of application

When using an aerosol, you must shake the can periodically. An indicator of its readiness for use is the free movement of balls inside it, which serve to mix the composition.

When spraying, the can should be held in a vertical position, evenly making back-and-forth movements. The work is carried out from a distance of 20 cm.

The use of aerosols is possible in a temperature range from +5 to +32 degrees Celsius.

If necessary, remove paint; fresh paint can be removed with acetone, and dried paint can be removed with a special remover.

Rules for calculating the amount of paint

There are no uniform standards for calculating the amount of paint for coating pipes, since all painting materials have different properties (viscosity, density, list of components, etc.). But the approximate paint consumption per 1 sq. The surface meter is indicated on the container in which it is sold. Please note that 2 layers will be required. Therefore, to correctly calculate the required amount of paint, it is necessary to determine the surface area of ​​the pipe.

When painting pipes, you need to take into account their type, purpose, material of manufacture, etc. And the paint itself must correspond to the parameters of the utility service being processed.

Why does powder coating extend the life of pipes?

Regardless of where the pipes are planned to be laid - underground or above it - they will be subjected to a number of destructive influences every second. For example, water pipes are constantly in contact with water from the inside, are in a humid environment outside and are subject to severe stress at sub-zero temperatures. Their coating must provide not only effective protection from aggressive environments, but also be environmentally friendly, since it will come into contact with water. The same applies to heating pipes, the painting of which should provide a high level of protection.

Temperature ranges

At what temperature is the use of special, heat-resistant primers required? Let's analyze the coating requirements at different operating temperatures.

Up to 60C

In particular, elements of autonomous heating systems fit into this temperature range. Their typical temperature difference between supply and return is 70/50C, which gives no more than +60C on the surface of the heating devices.

At temperatures from 0 to +60 you can safely use general purpose paints and primers. If the painting technology is followed (that is, if the surface is cleaned well and the primer matches the type of paint and varnish material), there is no need to worry about paint delamination or fading.

General purpose paints can be used in an autonomous heating circuit.

Up to 100C

The only significant difference from the previous scenario is the need to use paints with persistent pigments. The binder and primer remain the same as before: all popular types of paint can withstand prolonged heating without destruction.

Practical consequence: cheap and very common GF-021 is a completely suitable primer for radiators both in autonomous heating circuits and in central heating systems.

Up to 300C

And here comes the high point of heat-resistant soils. If the instructions for using a temperature-resistant coating indicate the need for priming, you will have to select special compounds that can withstand prolonged heating and retain their properties over the entire range of operating temperatures.

Over 300C

All paints intended for temperatures above +300 degrees are applied without prior priming, directly onto a cleaned and degreased surface. A layer of soil at such temperatures will only increase the likelihood of the coating peeling off.

Particularly heat-resistant paints are applied directly to the metal base.

A caveat: we are talking about metal surfaces. Strengthening primers for plaster or putty for brick fireplaces and stoves are also used at higher temperatures.