Radiator Side Panel Removal

[alpesh26]

I've been trying to avoid asking this question because it seems stupid but, I can't work out how these side panels come off so that I can clean the convector fins of dust.

The plastic collar around the bleed valve turns but it seems to lock onto metal behind. I can get the bottom off without issue.

You can lift the side panel up, but it hits the bleed valve before the collar disengages from the metal.

Is there a way to take them off without destroying the plastic collar or removing the bleed valve?

 

[alpesh26]

Managed to sort this. I lifted the side panels up as far as they go then the top grille slides to one side exposing one end then you can just pull the grille up.

The sides aren’t meant to come off without taking out the bleed valve/blank. S*** design!

 

[CBW]

The sides aren’t meant to come off without taking out the bleed valve/blank. S*** design!

Yes, they should be able to, without removing bleed/blank.

 

[mcprinter]

With the Cut-outs, it looks like it would just pull off towards the Valve.

 

[alpesh26]

With the Cut-outs, it looks like it would just pull off towards the Valve.

The valve sticks out too far so the cut out doesn’t clear it

 

[mcprinter]

The valve sticks out too far so the cut out doesn’t clear it

Probably need to remove the TRV Head in that case.

 

[Madrab]

The sides aren’t meant to come off without taking out the bleed valve/blank

Yes they are, they may just need a little bit of extra pulling.

If you are cleaning the rad of dust then just use a hoover hose and pipe and run it under the bottom of the rad, that's usually where it all collects.

 

[ianmcd]

Yes they are, they may just need a little bit of extra pulling.

If you are cleaning the rad of dust then just use a hoover hose and pipe and run it under the bottom of the rad, that's usually where it all collects.

Rob I once swapped out a leaking lounge rad in a house where they were both very heavy smokers, we took it outside and turned it upside down, you would have thought they had a cat barber shop that only done ginger cats, have never seen so much shoite under a rad before , I remember the days when the lads would go into bars to clean the filters from the nicotine things when smoking was allowed , they were dressed like they were cleaning a nuclear reactor, this was way way worse, landlord called me for another job in the same house soon after , said no thanks mate, not going back in there

 

[Madrab]

Seen a few nasties in my time too Ian, I find the worst are utility rooms where there are tumble driers. Went to one where the lady of the house was complaining that the radiator was always hot but the utility room was always cold. You could have stuffed a cushion with the amount of oose and fluff that was caught at the bottom of the fins, that with 4 socks, a glove and the obligatory 3 pairs of nicknacks.

It's amazing how many customers don't check and find their rads are jammed full of crap and only working at half efficiency.