getting rid of the smell when glossing

[bobbit]

whats the best and quickest way apart from leaving windows open to rid the smell of gloss, does an onion really work ?

 

[blightymam]

Nah, it may mask a little bit but I think you'll end up with an interesting smell of gloss and onion! Fresh air and time am afraid, or use water based paint (which I am not fond of using myself).
I find the smell starts to fade after about 48hrs, a more reasonably level anyway.

 

[bobbit]

ok cheers for reply, fresh air it is.

 

[blightymam]

You got me looking into it - I was being cynical thinking nothing could compete with gloss paint smell... but there seems to be a fair few people who swear by it on the old interwebs. I guess nothing to lose if you try and onion?! Anyway, good luck.

 

[Doggit]

You need to replace the onion every day, but it does help, don't know why.

 

[Bosswhite]

You need to replace the onion every day, but it does help, don't know why.

Because It makes the room smell of Raw Onions

 

[misterhelpful]

One of the first jobs I undertook working for myself ('several' moons ago) was re-painting the local chip shop/cafe in the nights/weekend when they were closed. (The owners were too tight-fisted to close for redecoration!) The whole ceiling was wood panelling, as were all of the shelves. I used a paint additive called Paint Petal to mix in with the gloss and it made the whole shop smell of flowers. I was told that even the customers commented on the nice aroma.
I used it on a few occasions afterwards but then it seemed to go off the market - no idea why. I do recall seeing something similar on ebay a few years back so maybe you could have a look around online for something similar.
The onion trick is said to work by many people, but I never noticed any difference when I tried it a couple of times, and my nose then got used to the smell of oil paints so it doesn't really bother me anymore.

We can get this stuff here in the US but not sure if anything similar is available back in the UK.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-c...us-additives/paint-plus-paint-additive-scents

 

[ic1927]

I remember an old painter back in the seventies who told me he would put a splash of the customers favourite perfume/aftershave in the gloss, he swore that it worked, never tried it myself. Apparently the onions work because they absorb odours, if you put a halved onion uncovered in the fridge it tastes awful because of the odours it's absorbed. Chopping several onions and putting them around the room is supposed to help.

 

[misterhelpful]

I remember an old painter back in the seventies who told me he would put a splash of the customers favourite perfume/aftershave in the gloss, he swore that it worked, never tried it myself.

Bloody hell....if my wife had me use her favourite perfume, even a few drops would cost me a fortune! Some of my Hai Karate will have to do!

 

[opps]

One of the first jobs I undertook working for myself ('several' moons ago) was re-painting the local chip shop/cafe in the nights/weekend when they were closed. (The owners were too tight-fisted to close for redecoration!) The whole ceiling was wood panelling, as were all of the shelves. I used a paint additive called Paint Petal to mix in with the gloss and it made the whole shop smell of flowers. I was told that even the customers commented on the nice aroma.
I used it on a few occasions afterwards but then it seemed to go off the market - no idea why. I do recall seeing something similar on ebay a few years back so maybe you could have a look around online for something similar.
The onion trick is said to work by many people, but I never noticed any difference when I tried it a couple of times, and my nose then got used to the smell of oil paints so it doesn't really bother me anymore.

We can get this stuff here in the US but not sure if anything similar is available back in the UK.

https://www.rustoleum.com/product-c...us-additives/paint-plus-paint-additive-scents

brushmate have their own version

http://www.decorating-supplies.co.uk/Brush-Mate-Aroma

Never tried either though.

I just use loads of Terebene and leave the windows open.

 

[Flyboytim]

Light a few candles - then the overpowering smell changes from paint to paraffin!

 

[bobbit]

 

[opps]

Naked flames definitely make the room smell different. I assume that is simply because they are burning the vapours.

I hate being in a clients' house when they turn the hob on to cook. As a decorator, I don't mind the smell of the paint but I really dislike the smell once the hob is turned on.