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I think that normal paint is fine.  Painted my pipes ten years ago with wall paint and no flaking.

7:00 PM 01/10/2013 | 0 Votes

I usually don't chime in here, but in this case I wanted to make sure you don't do something that is potentially dangerous. Benjamin Moore, who owns Insl-x, recently pulled their high heat paints off the market. Too many consumers were using these products for painting radiators and pipes. Years ago the industry standard was to use oil based aluminum. While that probably still holds up the best, aluminum isn't the best fashion statement for your house =). The problem is that when the heat comes on, these high heat products release an awful odor which could be dangerous. The recommendation from the manufacturer is to simply use a quality wall or trim paint on your heating pipes. Make sure the heat is off while you paint, and while the paint dries. The longer you can keep the heat off the better. Follow best practices for prep and priming as you would any other metal surface. Personally, I think the Ben Moore advance line works really well for radiators and is available in any color and in multiple sheen levels. I hope this helps some!

7:52 PM 01/10/2013 | 0 Votes

Thanks Matt Mazzone, of Mazzone True Value Hardware on Court Street for chiming in.  I deleted my out of date answer, and hope no fumes from the paint sold to me as appropriate for radiators was unhealthy to my clients.  But, I have seen that client's apartment after several years, and the paint is holding up well on two radiators and other metal window and door casements.  I learned a full range of colors is available now for hot surfaces and they are safer than what I used, which will help me on future jobs.  A few days ago I also pulled my own answer on radiant heating, when I read another better answer.  I am really happy about this forum right now.  As I may have told Matt, I was in Tenenbaum True Value on Belmont Avenue in Chicago and was told Matt was the guy to see about any tricky hardware issues in Brooklyn.  So, I am honored  to be corrected by him.
- Green Mountain

6:53 AM 01/11/2013 | 0 Votes

We used rustoleum high heat spray paint for our radiators - comes in tons of colors if you order it online. We needed several coats but so far so good - we painted over the summer and they've now been hot for 3-4 months. Interestingly, the painted rads don't smell; the new rads (still unpainted) - DO. Odd. 

10:30 AM 01/11/2013 | 0 Votes

Re: Using quality wall or trim paint on risers. Our experience has been that this is OK on upper floors, but not on, say, ground floor and parlor floor where the riser is closer to the boiler. I think the heat may be stronger closer to the boiler and may be too much for regular paint.

12:41 PM 01/11/2013 | 0 Votes

slopefarm, steam pipes cannot not have a temperature differential. Maybe the lower rads were painted without proper prep?
Regular paint is fine, all my radiators are so painted and no problems.

1:24 PM 01/11/2013 | 0 Votes

Is it OK to use latex on metal pipes, or will it make them rust?

3:36 PM 01/11/2013 | 0 Votes

Thanks Green Mountain!  I actually don't remember you ever telling me that but Steve and his family over at Tenenbaums are great people!  As far as your concern from past clients, I think if the odor was an issue you would have heard about it by now.  The rustloeum spray is a decent product as well, but most of the times it's not practical to spray pipes inside an apartment.  I had the pleasure of meeting the original poster today and It sounds like he is on the right track with his project.  Unfortunately I don't get a chance to get on brownstoner too often, however If I can be of assistance with any painting questions feel free to reach me at the email address below.
all the best,
Matt
Matt@mazzonetruevalue.com

4:42 PM 01/11/2013 | 0 Votes