Radiator painting

At the KRAFTLAGER radiator warehouse, you’ll find a wide range of models, including various colors. Yet two shades have stood the test of time, earning lasting customer recognition. The first is the classic RAL 9010 Pure White, symbolizing simplicity and clean elegance. The second is the stylish, modern RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey, which has often become an even more popular choice than white.

Why is that? First, many are simply tired of white radiators – they often don’t suit different interior styles and are so conspicuous that they end up hidden behind curtains. Second, when comparing two identical models – one white and one in anthracite – the visual impression is completely different. An anthracite radiator conveys a sense of luxury, quality, and even cast-iron solidity, yet costs only about 10% more than the white version. Third, a radiator is no longer just a heat source – it’s a full-fledged interior element. It can stand out as a bold accent shaping the room’s character or, on the contrary, seamlessly complement the overall design. In any case, it is certainly not an item that feels out of place in the home.

For customers who don’t want to limit themselves to just the two standard radiator colors, KRAFTLAGER offers the option to have a radiator painted in any RAL shade of their choice.

How does the process work? Typically, the client selects a preferred RAL code online and chooses the finish – matte, glossy, or semi-gloss (some shades can even be applied with a textured or sand effect). The next step is to confirm availability and pricing, as costs vary depending on the paint manufacturer and type. Often, a similar tone that is readily available and more cost-effective is chosen instead of the initially selected but significantly more expensive RAL shade.

If there is any doubt about the tone, a small test sample is painted first, since the difference between how a color looks on a computer screen and in real life can be substantial. Even with the same RAL code, shades may vary between manufacturers. This becomes especially noticeable when trying to match a new radiator to previously painted parts.

In the photo below, you can see the exact same shade – RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey. One version was applied in the factory, the other locally in Latvia on radiator legs we produce ourselves. Under certain lighting, the difference is visible. That’s why clients with very high requirements for perfect tone matching often choose to repaint the entire radiator, ensuring both the body and the legs are in exactly the same shade.

Painting process – in the factory, both white and anthracite finishes are applied to radiators using the polymer (powder coating) method. The paint is sprayed onto the surface in powder form, after which the radiator is placed in a hot oven where the coating hardens into an exceptionally durable and long-lasting finish. This technique is known as powder coating. We use exactly the same method here in Latvia to paint radiators in the customer’s chosen RAL shade, using a white radiator as the base.

Costs – the price of radiator painting can vary significantly depending on the chosen RAL shade and finish type. Since KRAFTLAGER has been selling and painting radiators for many years, we have developed our own standard color palette, but we can also adapt to individual client requests, offering fair pricing and reasonable lead times. On average, you can expect around a +22% increase compared to the cost of a white radiator. For example, if a white radiator costs €225, repainting it in the selected shade would add roughly €50 to the price.

Radiator painting lead times (standard client) – on average, the entire process takes 2 to 4 weeks, depending on the chosen RAL color and its availability.

• Radiator selection – 1–4 days

• Color tone selection – 1–7 days

• Approval of chosen tone – 2–6 days

• Preparation, transportation, painting, and packaging – 1.5–3 weeks

👉 In the end, the client receives a fully customized radiator that meets both technical and design requirements.