Painted discoloured heater vents

[Jimi]

A very simply fix but proved to be effective. This had been on my mind for a very long time and I looked into chemical treatment and even replacing the vents, in the end I bought a can of gloss white spray paint and off I went. The hardest part was how to remove the vents from the ceiling, but once I worked that out it was incredibly quick and easy.

Materials

Gloss White spray paint

Tools

None. To remove the vents it was only a matter of pulling the vents down which released x3 holding clips.

Steps

Step 1

Removed vents from ceiling

Step 2

wiped vents down

Step 3

spray painted the vents

Step 4

re installed them into ceiling

[MitchellMc]

Wonderful solution to an unsightly problem @Jimi. 

What type of paint did you use and were there any special steps for the cleaning process or preparation?

Mitchell

[Noyade]

I'm inspired Jim. @Jimi 

I would like to try this.

I have the same questions as @MitchellMc My concern was/is solvents in the spray can may 'buckle' or melt the thin old plastic?

Clearly not in your case.

Cheers.

[Jimi]

Hi @MitchellMc @Noyade ,

No special cleaning, i just used a dustpan brush to clean the inside from dust, and the outside was completely clean, just discoloured. I only sprayed the outside.

I used the Fiddly Bits brand spray paint from Bunnings, gloss white. I did a light but even spray, and they look brand new. As the old plastic is just a solid plastic, I can't see how spray paint will cause any buckling/melting.

[Noyade]

Thanks @Jimi 

I got the first vent down today (more difficult than I had thought) and will try Dulux DuraMax when it gets warmer today.

Cheers.

[Noyade]

The paint is fantastic - highly recommend it.

I don't recommend with my style of vent to remove the entire frame.

With the next ones, I intend to spray paint the frame still in the ceiling.

But overall it does look better.

Aged plastic compared to painted plastic

[EricL]

Hi @Noyade 

Thanks for sharing that update, that looks amazing it's like brand new! 

Eric

[Noyade]

I've now moved on from vents to fans. This was an awful 70's mission brown plywood bladed one, with faded 'gold' chrome metal.

I used a spray can of Dulux dura max satin white.

Cheers.

[MitchellMc]

Nice work @Noyade! That looks terrific.

Mitchell

[Noyade]

Cheers @MitchellMc !

I bought some bright red 'cafe' lights from Bunnings a few years back - on clearance.

Painted them as well.  😁