Smelly paint!

Kirby301 · 27 Aug 2020

hi all,

A couple of months ago I bought some vinyl matt emulsion to paint one of my daughters bedrooms. She changed her mind on the colour so I put it in the shed.
A couple of weeks ago I painted my other daughters bedroom with this paint, at first I thought the smell would go after a couple of days but it's still there a couple of weeks later. It smells like vinegar so I'm guessing the paint has gone off.
My question is can I paint over it with fresh paint or as its painted on top of a paintable wallpaper, will I have to strip the wallpaper off and start again?

Many thanks.

CJRatch · 27 Aug 2020

You want a shellac based primer such as Zinsser BIN or Dulux Trade stain blocker.

They're quite expensive, a pain to apply and have a strong smell for a few days but it's exactly the product required.

Kirby301 · 28 Aug 2020

Thanks for your reply @CJRatch,
I am actually a painter, albeit a new work painter. Anything other than "maggy" and white my knowledge is limited.
I've had a look in the compound and we have a gallon tin of zinsser.
Will one coat be enough?
Thanks again.

Nige F · 31 Aug 2020

Welcome to diynot, kirby 301 .Now't wrong with new work painting. My old dad did a stint in Crawley New Town - set him up for self employment

One coat of Zinsser wil be fine. "One coat Magicoat "he used to say.

Kirby301 · 2 Sep 2020

Thanks for the reply @Nige F
I like the phrase "one coat magicoat"

Update
I didn't really think it was going to work but it did!
I put 2 coats of zinsser on and 2 coats of emulsion and now the smell in the room is no more.
Thanks again.

opps · 5 Sep 2020

FYI- not sure if you know but the most effective way of cleaning brushes used in shellac paints is with household ammonia and not meths.

The ammonia is alkaline and breaks the paint down. Meths just thins it. The ammonia evaporates off over night and you are left with clean water with white dust in the bottom which can be poured down the sink. When using meths you are left with very dilute paint in the container.

Before discovering ammonia I used to use throw away brushes. Now I am happy to use quality brushes.

Kirby301 · 6 Sep 2020

Thanks for your reply @opps.
I just used a throw away brush and roller but its good to know for the future.

Mottie · 6 Sep 2020

Kirby301 said:
I like the phrase "one coat magicoat"

I helped my dad paint his friends house many years ago. It needed about three or four coats on the wall as it just kept bleeding into the wall. I can clearly remember my dad saying "That bloody magicoat is magic alright - it’s bloody disappearing as quick as we put it on the wall". Maybe it was a counterfeit tin or something?

Kirby301 · 7 Sep 2020

diynot

If you need to find a tradesperson to get your job done, please try our local search below, or if you are doing it yourself you can find suppliers local to you.

Select the supplier or trade you require, enter your location to begin your search.

Are you a trade or supplier? You can create your listing free at DIYnot Local

Smelly paint!

Similar threads