July 4, 2003, Newsletter Issue #64: Painting over smoke

Tip of the Week

Question:
I am preparing to paint rooms in which there is a fair amount of smoke-film on the walls. Is it necessary to wash the walls first or can I paint right over the film?
Answer:
It is important to clean the smoke off the walls, ceiling, and floor. Look in the yellow pages for industrial cleaning suppliers, and buy some chem-sponges. They are sponges with a chemical that not only wipes off most of the smoke, but bonds with the wall to help seal it. Then, prime the walls and ceiling with Kilz or a similar sealer before painting. If you just paint over the smoke, it will eventually bleed through the paint, and the smell of smoke will eventually become evident.

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