A polished cast iron radiator is a very different object from a painted one. It stops reading as a utility and starts reading as a furnishing, which is why designers and owners restoring period apartments ask for it specifically.
What Hand Polishing Involves
The radiator is stripped back to bare iron first, because polishing only works on clean metal. Detail that has been buried under decades of paint comes back sharp at that stage, and the polishing then works with that detail rather than flattening it.
It is slow work and it is done by hand. There is no shortcut that produces the same surface.
Done In Our Own Shop
Stripping, repair, polishing and finishing all happen under one roof in Mount Vernon. Shops that send polishing out add a leg of transport and a second company’s schedule to every job, which is why our turnaround is usually faster and why we can quote the whole job rather than a stage of it.
Polished, Painted or Metallic
Polished is one option among several. Paint and metallic finishes are both on the table, and we color match to a swatch, a wall or another radiator in the building.
On a project with several radiators we keep the finish consistent across all of them, so they read as a set rather than as separate jobs done at different times.
Who Asks For It
Mostly designers, architects and owners restoring prewar apartments, where the radiator is a visible part of the room rather than something to hide behind a cover. If you are weighing a radiator cover against polishing what is already there, it is worth seeing a polished one first.
Common Questions About Hand Polishing
Does polishing affect how the radiator heats?
Stripping back to bare metal helps. Layers of old paint insulate the iron and reduce the heat reaching the room, so removing them lets the radiator do its job.
Does a polished radiator need maintenance?
It is a bare metal finish, so it behaves like one. We will tell you what to expect and what to use on it before you commit to the look.
Can you match several radiators in one apartment?
Yes, and it is worth doing. We keep the finish consistent across every radiator in the job so they read as a set.
Ask About Hand Polishing Your Radiators
Send photos of the radiators or call (914) 662-4218 for a free estimate. For the full process from stripping through finishing, see cast iron radiator restoration.
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Our Clients
We serve a diverse range of clients, including homeowners, contractors, antique dealers, hardware companies, insurance companies, restoration companies, and collectors.