Replies

1. 
   renosteinke | Jan 17, 2011 04:08pm | #1

   First, be clear on one thing: I like Rust-O-leum. It's a very good paint, better than most.

   Yet, I cannot reccomend it for this particular task. While I don't think the heat will have the slightest bad effect on it,  it has another drawback: it's a fairly soft paint. That is, when it dries it has a fairly soft surface. Therefore, it doesn't "wear" all that well.

   Better in your application would be appliance enamel or laquer. They dry to a very hard, glossy surface. The downside is that you need to make a dozen extremely light coats, barely kissing the metal with the paint. Apply any more and the paint WILL run.

1. 
   crpntrstv | Jan 17, 2011 05:04pm | #2

   appliance enamel

   Thanks!  I knew I'd get a good reply!

2. 
   DaveRicheson | Jan 18, 2011 03:39pm | #3

   Rust-o-leum also makes a high temperature paint in several different colors. Should suit your application to a tee.

2. 
   renosteinke | Jan 18, 2011 07:09pm | #4

   Rust-O-Leum is but a brand name. Truth be told, the last time I used either appliance enamel or laquer, the cans said 'Rust-O-Leum" on them.

   I'm not sure about the 'high temp' paints thay also sell. I've used them, and they work well enough ... but they still do not give quite the hard, glossy finish of the others I mentioned. If you want to approximate the factor finish, you'll have to do it the slow, tedious way.

3. 
   DonCanDo | Jan 18, 2011 08:45pm | #5

   How hot does this cover get?

   If you can touch it without getting burnt, almost any alkyd (oil-based) paint will work.  I've used Rustoleum and I don't recall it having a less hard finish, but it was a while ago.

   Most recently, I've been using a polyurethane alkyd high gloss enamel from Muralo that dries hard and adheres well.  It's an excellent product and you should look into it if Muralo is available in your area.

   It's hard to imagine a baseboard cover (electric or otherwise) getting hot enough that a high temperature paint would be needed

1. 
   crpntrstv | Jan 18, 2011 09:00pm | #6

   sock dryer

   I've been drying my work socks on the cover recently and it hasn't been burning them up!

   I ended up using a Rustoleum enamel, a couple of light coats as an earlier reply-er recommended. Looks good! I think it will work! No more rust stains on my wet socks!!!! Thanks!!!

4. 
   BossHog | Jan 20, 2011 08:12am | #7

   My folks used them on a couple of their heaters. It works O.K., I guess.  But the rust comes back eventually.

5. 
   DanH | Jan 20, 2011 08:25am | #8

   For rusty steel the best thing is a rust-converting primer.  Some hardware stores have this, but often you need to go to an auto parts place.  Usually you can find it in a small container -- a few ounces -- vs needing to buy quarts or gallons.