Painting - Paint steel baseboard radiators with latex?

Hello-
I have steel baseboard radiators (factory painted white) and I would like to re-paint them with latex enamel. Is this possible? If so, how do I prepare the surface to assure success?
Thank you,
Joe in NH

I've always used a solvent based coating when painting radiators. There are some waterborne paints that can be used on metal. I'd check with your local paint store to see what they recomend. I'd don't know if latex paint would be compatible with the heat when the radiator is in use.

If these have even a speck of rust on them you will need to use a rust inhibitive primer on them before top coating.How hot these units get will be a possible issue as beyond a certain point most products would not work out that well.That said if these are electric or hot water base board units then they do not reach a level that would require high heat paint.Also you will need to scuff sand these units for adhesion help and if rusty sand those areas well.They also need to be very clean.I also agree that a solvent based enamel top coat is probably the better idea.And finally do not let words such as "rust stop" or brand names such as Rustoleum mislead you into thinking they automatically will stop existing rust.Only the proper primers will actually do that.