I want to paint my old ugly heat registers and cold air returns.

For the cold air returns you can spray paint those with Rustoleum metal spray paint. Here is a good link for the heat registers:

https://www.ehow.com/how_6718952_paint-heat-registers.html

Are they removable easily ? If so you can remove them, clean them well and when dry take them outside or to the garage and set them up with cardboard underneath and a surround (cardboard box) to contain any overspray. Rustoleum has a line of spray paint in multiple finishes specifically for metal and works beautifully and holds up well. If there are any rust spots or rough spots on them remove that first with a fine steel wool. Use several light coats letting the paint dry fully between each coat until you are happy with the evenness. Start with the underside first and when that is done and dry flip them over and do the top side the same way. We have done all of our doorknobs and hinges in our house with Rustoleum Rubbed bronze and after almost 2 years are like new. Best of luck.

Hi Kitty, I suggest painting them as close to the same color as your new floors and the cold air returns (if on the wall, the same color as the walls) I did this and they blend in well and don't bug me anymore. Just remove them and wash in hot soapy water, dry really well, and let air dry for a few hours. I recommend spray painting them with a color as close as possible. Rustoleum is a good brand to use and is offered in many colors. Two or three thin coats will do the job!

First you have to get them off. It’s usually 2 screws, 1 on each side. Take off of Wall it should just slide out. Give it a good bath to get the dirt and dust bunnies off, let dry. You need a primer and paint for metal. Spray paint works the best. Rustoleum is my go to for painting metals. Prime first, let dry, then the top color. Start the spray an inch or so before you hit the metal and sweep it across the register cover again over spraying . This should reduce drip marks. Several light passes are better than one thick one.

I took mine out, washed and dried them well, sanded and spray painted with good old cheap Walmart spray paint (99 cents a can). That was about 5 years ago and they look great.

Unscrew and take off. Scrub really well, and let dry overnight. Then spray paint .