Replacing baseboard registers in 1950's house

Question

The baseboard registers and returns in our house built in 1951 have layers of years of repainting on them. We would like to replace them OR strip them and repaint if that is feasible. I have searched for replacements and haven't found the 13.75'x6.5' size. Any suggestions?

William · Answer

Have you checked Home Depot, Lowes, or Menards? The size is not the overall dimension, but the air opening size. The 13.75'x6.5' you have would actually be 12'x6'. They all come in even sizes, no half sizes.

B. Enne · Answer

Perhapsyou could use a 13.75 X 5.75and just drywall or add a piece of trim on top or below to fill the gap? I personally wouldn't strip it, since 1 vane is bent, and then you need to think about lead paint. http://www.hvacquick.com/products/commercial/Grilles-Registers/Grilles/TRUaire-Series-102M-Stamped-2-Way-Sidewall-and-Ceiling-Registers They also make custom grilles: http://www.hvacquick.com/products/commercial/Grilles-Registers/Perforated-Custom-Grilles http://www.hvacquick.com/products/commercial/Grilles-Registers/Baseboard-Registers http://www.hvacquick.com/products/commercial/Grilles-Registers/Grilles/TRUaire-Series-102M-Stamped-2-Way-Sidewall-and-Ceiling-Registers

Diana Marie · Answer

I lightly sanded mine with fine-grit, and then painted them all with a spray Rustoleum closest to the baseboard colors.  
On those I couldn't find a close color, I just used enamel craft paints.

Ellis · Answer

We stripped and repainted ours, but some were beyond help. We ordered new ones from a company named Reggio Registers. They have a wide variety of registers available.

Marilyn Bates · Answer

Get an old crockpot and 'cook' them on low with some dish soap overnight. The paint slips right off. Spray with primer/paint and they'll look brand new.

Monica Talley · Answer

I repainted all of my registers in my 1972 home. I boiled a pot of water and put it in a 5gallon bucket. I then  added arm and hammer washing soda to it. . Soak them in the cleaning water. Simply rinse and dry. Rustoleum has great primer for rust coverage. I sprayed with dark grey primer. I then repainted with oiled rubbed bronze paint. Two light coats is all I needed. It is a lot cheaper to repaint than purchasing new ones. Good luck.

Kathy Stetts · Answer

If you want to purchase new registers, you can find them online through a Google search.  If you can't find your size register, you could remove the moulding in equal pieces from both sides to it will be centered over the vent.

Linda Cabler · Answer

Lowes sells  new ones.

Linda Cabler · Answer

put  them in a plastic  bag  and  spray  them  with  easy off  and let them set aof days in  the  plabag and the  paint  will wash  right off.

Brandy · Answer

http://www.wayfair.com/Image-Wood-Vents-5.6-x... These are kind of pricey and not the perfect height but they might work not sure if your vent hole is a little shorter.

Brandy · Answer

I found these at Lowe's they are the right size!! http://www.lowes.com/pd/Accord-Ventilation-17...

KJ · Answer

I have the same problem. Lowes/HomeD/Ace/True Value do not have these old sizes in Fl.  Does spray or foam work better, going to give it a try.

Blake Bowerman · Answer

I boiled mine in baking soda then peeled and scrapped a bit. Still need a good cleaning.

Mogie · Answer

I boiled mine in water and Dawn on a very low heat (oval crock pot). Let it simmer overnight and the paint should peel or flake off. See what you have to work with after removing the many layers of paint.

Replacing baseboard registers in 1950's house

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Replacing baseboard registers in 1950's house

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