How to paint rusty Electric Baseboard Heaters?

I 'm in the same dilemma ! I was thinking maybe go to an auto body repair shop. Hey anything is possible ! Right? They can sand blast them & rustproof & paint them in much less time and they will look like new again! And you won't have to deal with the clean up. This will save the baseboards from being added to the landfill ! It is just a thought but it can also be a lucrative business / restoring baseboards (for someone who has an interest in restoration or improving the environment .)

Don't need high heat spray paint. They don't get that hot. My crew and I have painted cast iron radiators, hot water baseboard , electric heaters, etc. We used regular acrylic latex paint to match walls. We used metallic paint on radiators to bring out details. Have used primer when needed but not all the time. We have hand painted and spray painted. In your situation do use primer. Just clean and sand the rust off. Wipe down with a damp cloth. Prime with Kilz primer then paint your color. You can use Rustoleum 2X spray paint. Several light coats will get you a smooth finish.

You don't need high heat paint. Unless your radiators are hot enough to burn your hand. I used Rustoleum on our bathroom register several years ago. It worked very well. Sanding the vents isn't easy. You might want to check out the replacement registers in the big DIY stores. They do have replacements.

I too have electric baseboard heat. I hate it because we also have open concept and it all adds up to no place for furniture and can't have long drapes. You could certainly take them outside and sand and paint them but after 30 years I vote you replace them with newer more efficient models.

If you decide to paint be sure to prime the metal with oil based primer.