SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has been
stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the plaster. How
best to prepare the plaster for painting?
There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to take
them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best way to
proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.
TIA
Iain

In article ,
Iain wrote:
SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has been
stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the plaster. How
best to prepare the plaster for painting?
There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to take
them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best way to
proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.
TIA
Iain

Wallpaper paste remover does exist. You could also try washing with sugar
soap.

No real answer to the radiator problem, except removing them. If you do,
watch out for black sludge in them. I would make a nasty mess on the floor.

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England
"I'd rather die of exhaustion than die of boredom" Thomas Carlyle

On 08/07/2020 11:35, Iain wrote:
SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has been
stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the plaster. How
best to prepare the plaster for painting?

Bucket of water with small amount of detergent and one of those green
plastic scouring pads used for washing dishes etc. followed by a wipe
over with a wet large sponge, Change the water every 5 minutes. Repeat
endlessly.
Occasionally thoroughly wash out the scourer and sponge under a running tap.


There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to take
them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best way to
proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.
TIA

In my experience - remove the radiator.



--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 08/07/2020 12:35, alan_m wrote:
On 08/07/2020 11:35, Iain wrote:
SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has
been stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the plaster.
How best to prepare the plaster for painting?

Bucket of water with small amount of detergent and one of those green
plastic scouring pads used for washing dishes etc. followed by a wipe
over with a wet large sponge, Change the water every 5 minutes. Repeat
endlessly.
Occasionally thoroughly wash out the scourer and sponge under a running
tap.


There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to
take them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best
way to proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.
TIA

In my experience - remove the radiator.



+1.
Removing the rads is usually straightforward. Turn both valves off (if
one is thermostatic then remove the head and put the "decorating cap"
on), put a deep tray under one end of the rad, loosen the nut that
attaches the valve to the rad (catch the small amount of water), open
the bleed valve, slowly undo the nut more as the flow of water decreases
.. When the water stops coming out tease the valve off the rad stub
(expect some water), undo the other end (expect some water). Close the
bleed valve. Lift the rad off its mountings, keeping one end slightly
low and expect some more water to come out. Once the rad is free turn it
upside down to stop any more water. You will need to empty the tray a
few times so have a bucket ready.
Refitting is easy but refilling depends (slightly) on what sort of
system you have - ask if unsure.

charles wrote:
No real answer to the radiator problem, except removing
them. If you do, watch out for black sludge in them. I
would make a nasty mess on the floor.

I probably would and all, but it's probably best avoided :-)

#Paul

On Wednesday, 8 July 2020 12:35:40 UTC+1, alan_m wrote:
On 08/07/2020 11:35, Iain wrote:
SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has been
stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the plaster. How
best to prepare the plaster for painting?

Bucket of water with small amount of detergent and one of those green
plastic scouring pads used for washing dishes etc. followed by a wipe
over with a wet large sponge, Change the water every 5 minutes. Repeat
endlessly.
Occasionally thoroughly wash out the scourer and sponge under a running tap.


There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to take
them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best way to
proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.
TIA

In my experience - remove the radiator.

no need. Loosen the nuts a bit & lay it down. Retighten.


NT

Sometimes you can drop a radiator flat on the floor if you have enough movement in the pipes to lift it off the brackets needs two people though. First turn of the two valves noting how many turns it took of the lock shield valve so you can open it the correct amount and save having to balance the system again. Next open the air vent this will relieve any pressure in the radiator if it is a pressurised system and re-tighten the vent. At this point put some old towels or other suitable cloths to catch a small amount of water that will leak out of the valves if carpeted it is a good idea to roll it back from the vicinity. Now place some blocks as near thick as the distance from the floor to the underside of the radiator, these are what you will rest the radiator on. The final stage is the part where you need to work fast. Loosen the two valve connecting nuts at least half a turn some water will trickle out but hopefully your cloths will absorb this. A half turn should enable you to rotate the radiator through 90deg. With your assistant lift the radiator off the brackets and pivot the radiator down on the axis of the two valves being very careful not to bend the pipes once the radiator is supported on the blocks re-tighten the valve nuts enough to stop the water leaking. Replacement is the reverse of removal.

I have done this many a time even with 10mm pipes without mishap works best probably with 15mm pipes.

Richard

On 08/07/2020 13:34, wrote:

no need. Loosen the nuts a bit & lay it down. Retighten.

That really does depend on the amount of upward slack in the joining
pipes. On my radiators, one of which I removed recently for decoration,
required it to be lifted by about 3 cm to get it off the 3 fixing
brackets. It was also f'ing heavy (old and nearly full length of a bay
window). When refitting I propped it up on wooden blocks at a height
close to that of its final position.

For the OP, the radiator may be very dusty in between panels and/or in
the enclosed fins at the back of the radiator. A cheap radiator brush
comes in handy.
https://tinyurl.com/y9dhwbjr


--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 08/07/2020 11:35, Iain wrote:
There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to take
them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best way to
proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.

very small roller

They are widely available and excellent

You will need one with a long handle


--
€œI know that most men, including those at ease with problems of the
greatest complexity, can seldom accept even the simplest and most
obvious truth if it be such as would oblige them to admit the falsity of
conclusions which they have delighted in explaining to colleagues, which
they have proudly taught to others, and which they have woven, thread by
thread, into the fabric of their lives.€�

ۥ Leo Tolstoy

On 08/07/2020 11:35, Iain wrote:

SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has been
stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the plaster. How
best to prepare the plaster for painting?

Warm soapy water, and sponge/cloth and elbow grease.

There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to take
them off.

Understood.

There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best way to
proceed?

Take them off (well you did ask for the best way!)

In some cases you may be able to loosen the unions, and carefully lift
the rad off the brackets and lay them down. However you will still spill
some water, it only works if there is a bit of flexibility / movement in
the pipe tails, and you can actually lift the things safely. Note a
large rad full of water is 'kin heavy! (There is also a good chance you
might bend a pipe tail)

There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.

You can bodge it in situ - it will look ok from most angles except
straight down.

(taking a rad off is easy enough, when you know how)




--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 08/07/2020 12:47, wrote:
On 08/07/2020 12:35, alan_m wrote:
On 08/07/2020 11:35, Iain wrote:
SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has
been stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the plaster.
How best to prepare the plaster for painting?

Bucket of water with small amount of detergent and one of those green
plastic scouring pads used for washing dishes etc. followed by a wipe
over with a wet large sponge, Change the water every 5 minutes. Repeat
endlessly.
Occasionally thoroughly wash out the scourer and sponge under a
running tap.


There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to
take them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best
way to proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.
TIA

In my experience - remove the radiator.



+1.
Removing the rads is usually straightforward. Turn both valves off (if
one is thermostatic then remove the head and put the "decorating cap"
on), put a deep tray under one end of the rad, loosen the nut that
attaches the valve to the rad (catch the small amount of water), open
the bleed valve, slowly undo the nut more as the flow of water decreases
. When the water stops coming out tease the valve off the rad stub
(expect some water), undo the other end (expect some water). Close the
bleed valve. Lift the rad off its mountings, keeping one end slightly
low and expect some more water to come out. Once the rad is free turn it
upside down to stop any more water. You will need to empty the tray a
few times so have a bucket ready.
Refitting is easy but refilling depends (slightly) on what sort of
system you have - ask if unsure.

+1, I also find it useful to have a wet and dry vac to hand, this lets
you catch dribbles going in the wrong direction, and means you only need
a small tray. For a large rad containing several vacuum's worth you may
need to nip the nuts up a couple of times to empty the vac. Still less
fiddle than emptying a tray in a bucket.

On 08/07/2020 14:02, Tricky Dicky wrote:

Sometimes you can drop a radiator flat on the floor if you have enough movement in the pipes to lift it off the brackets needs two people though. First turn of the two valves noting how many turns it took of the lock shield valve so you can open it the correct amount and save having to balance the system again. Next open the air vent this will relieve any pressure in the radiator if it is a pressurised system and re-tighten the vent. At this point put some old towels or other suitable cloths to catch a small amount of water that will leak out of the valves if carpeted it is a good idea to roll it back from the vicinity. Now place some blocks as near thick as the distance from the floor to the underside of the radiator, these are what you will rest the radiator on. The final stage is the part where you need to work fast. Loosen the two valve connecting nuts at least half a turn some water will trickle out but hopefully your cloths will absorb this. A half turn should enable you to rotate the radiator through 90deg. With your assistant lift the radiator off the brackets and pivot the radiator down on the axis of the two valves being very careful not to bend the pipes once the radiator is supported on the blocks re-tighten the valve nuts enough to stop the water leaking. Replacement is the reverse of removal.

I have done this many a time even with 10mm pipes without mishap works best probably with 15mm pipes.

Richard




+1 for that too, but having a wet and dry vac to hand is always worth it
IMHO.

On 08/07/2020 11:35, Iain wrote:
SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has been
stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the plaster. How
best to prepare the plaster for painting?
There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to take
them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best way to
proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.
TIA
Iain

Thank You gentlemen for your suggestions. I think I will try to lay the
radiators down. I think the tails are fed from polypipe below the floor,
so there should be enough play to enable the rads to be lifted off the
brackets.
Regards,
Iain

On 08/07/2020 15:39, newshound wrote:
On 08/07/2020 12:47, wrote:
On 08/07/2020 12:35, alan_m wrote:
On 08/07/2020 11:35, Iain wrote:
SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has
been stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the
plaster. How best to prepare the plaster for painting?

Bucket of water with small amount of detergent and one of those green
plastic scouring pads used for washing dishes etc. followed by a wipe
over with a wet large sponge, Change the water every 5 minutes.
Repeat endlessly.
Occasionally thoroughly wash out the scourer and sponge under a
running tap.


There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to
take them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best
way to proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.
TIA

In my experience - remove the radiator.



+1.
Removing the rads is usually straightforward. Turn both valves off (if
one is thermostatic then remove the head and put the "decorating cap"
on), put a deep tray under one end of the rad, loosen the nut that
attaches the valve to the rad (catch the small amount of water), open
the bleed valve, slowly undo the nut more as the flow of water
decreases . When the water stops coming out tease the valve off the
rad stub (expect some water), undo the other end (expect some water).
Close the bleed valve. Lift the rad off its mountings, keeping one end
slightly low and expect some more water to come out. Once the rad is
free turn it upside down to stop any more water. You will need to
empty the tray a few times so have a bucket ready.
Refitting is easy but refilling depends (slightly) on what sort of
system you have - ask if unsure.

+1, I also find it useful to have a wet and dry vac to hand, this lets
you catch dribbles going in the wrong direction, and means you only need
a small tray. For a large rad containing several vacuum's worth you may
need to nip the nuts up a couple of times to empty the vac. Still less
fiddle than emptying a tray in a bucket.
Yes, good point about the vac.

Some people are saying lift the rad and pivot it flat - I've never tried
because it's so easy to drain and lift the rad off. Once the rad is off
it's a good opportunity to flush all the crud out of it, plus swinging
the rad down on the pipes has to bring some risk of bending the pipes,
and will need blocks of the right size to avoid loads on the pipes. It
clearly works for some people but I wouldn't do it.

On 08/07/2020 16:43, Iain wrote:
On 08/07/2020 11:35, Iain wrote:
SWMBO has decided that the lounge needs redecorating. Wallpaper has
been stripped using a steamer but has left glue/paste on the plaster.
How best to prepare the plaster for painting?
There are 2 radiators on the wall and I really really don't want to
take them off. There is still wallpaper behind them. What's the best
way to proceed? There is a gap of 20mm between wall and radiator.
TIA
Iain

Thank You gentlemen for your suggestions. I think I will try to lay the
radiators down. I think the tails are fed from polypipe below the floor,
so there should be enough play to enable the rads to be lifted off the
brackets.
Regards,
Iain
You might want to estimate (and be prepared for) the weight before
starting. Obviously it will vary with rad size, but I would guess
somewhere around 25-35kg ... goggle will know. Hopefully all will be
well, but it really is much safer and easier to drain and remove.

On 08/07/2020 18:02, wrote:

You might want to estimate (and be prepared for) the weight before
starting. Obviously it will vary with rad size, but I would guess
somewhere around 25-35kg ... goggle will know. Hopefully all will be
well, but it really is much safer and easier to drain and remove.


+1

Also if it's long it can be a PITA to get out of more than 2 wall
brackets. The radiator I recently removed had 3 fixing brackets and if
not kept horizontal it was difficult to remove it from more than two
brackets at a time. I had the forethought to prop it up with wooden
blocks so when things became slightly difficult it was easy to put it
down on the blocks without having to drop one end down to the floor
whilst tackling the other side.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 08/07/2020 19:26, alan_m wrote:
On 08/07/2020 18:02, wrote:

You might want to estimate (and be prepared for) the weight before
starting. Obviously it will vary with rad size, but I would guess
somewhere around 25-35kg ... goggle will know. Hopefully all will be
well, but it really is much safer and easier to drain and remove.


+1

Also if it's long it can be a PITA to get out of more than 2 wall
brackets. The radiator I recently removed had 3 fixing brackets and if
not kept horizontal it was difficult to remove it from more than two
brackets at a time. I had the forethought to prop it up with wooden
blocks so when things became slightly difficult it was easy to put it
down on the blocks without having to drop one end down to the floor
whilst tackling the other side.



Another tip. If removing the fixing brackets mark on the bracket which
way is up and which of the two (of a possible 4) holes are used to screw
it to the wall. Often these brackets can be installed in more than one
way to give different wall to radiator clearances to cater for different
skirting board thicknesses etc. Also measure from a reference point (the
floor for example) to the top of the bracket so you can use the same
measurement when re-fitting. The fixing may/will not be holes but slots
and if not fitted back in exactly the same place the radiator will sit
higher or lower and not mate with the pipe tails.

--
mailto : news {at} admac {dot} myzen {dot} co {dot} uk

On 08/07/2020 19:39, alan_m wrote:
On 08/07/2020 19:26, alan_m wrote:
On 08/07/2020 18:02, wrote:

You might want to estimate (and be prepared for) the weight before
starting. Obviously it will vary with rad size, but I would guess
somewhere around 25-35kg ... goggle will know. Hopefully all will be
well, but it really is much safer and easier to drain and remove.


+1

Also if it's long it can be a PITA to get out of more than 2 wall
brackets. The radiator I recently removed had 3 fixing brackets and if
not kept horizontal it was difficult to remove it from more than two
brackets at a time. I had the forethought to prop it up with wooden
blocks so when things became slightly difficult it was easy to put it
down on the blocks without having to drop one end down to the floor
whilst tackling the other side.



Another tip.Â* If removing the fixing brackets mark on the bracket which
way is up and which of the two (of a possible 4) holes are used to screw
it to the wall. Often these brackets can be installed in more than one
way to give different wall to radiator clearances to cater for different
skirting board thicknesses etc. Also measure from a reference point (the
floor for example) to the top of the bracket so you can use the same
measurement when re-fitting.Â* The fixing may/will not be holes but slots
and if not fitted back in exactly the same place the radiator will sit
higher or lower and not mate with the pipe tails.

No need to measure, just number the brackets from the left and use a
felt-tip pen to mark where the screw heads are on the bracket.