Our painter inadvertently used old, spoiled paint on our bedroom ceiling--the smell is so bad I actually get nauseous when in the room. He has re-painted the ceiling with new paint, but the terrible smell is still there. What exactly is the problem, and how to resolve? Help, please!
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The first time it was painted was the middle of November. The odor has not gotten better, or I wouldn't have told our painter about it. When he put another brand of new paint over the other stuff, it smelled okay for approximately 2 hours, then the disgusting smell returned as rank as ever (second coat done 1/10).
There is no doubt in my mind that the first paint is spoiled, if not toxic to boot.
There is no doubt in my mind that the first paint is spoiled, if not toxic to boot.
Did he seal the old paint with a primer? Two coats of primer should seal it in. Then ask that a low VOC paint be used as the top coat.
My parents have rental houses where the renters smoke heavily, to the point that you choke walking in the door. They always used two coats of Zinzer or Kilz and it took care of the odor soaked into the walls. An oil base primer will definitely form a better barrier though.















