I need some advice on painting after smoke damage

Question

The ceilings,  walls and molding in this room are covered in black soot from being heated by a kerosene heater for 25+ years.   The room was painted a flat neutral after construction 36 years ago.  I tried cleaning with  Odorcide Fire and soot cleaner but it makes a bigger mess.  I think some of the kerosene soot absorbed into the ceiling and walls.  I there a sealant or primer I could apply over the soot or does it have to be cleaned.  Any advice is appreciate.   Jen

Ilona Elliott · Answer

You might want to contact a firm that specializes in cleaning up after fires and such and see if they would advise you or have a product or service that might help you.  Servpro is a popular one but there are many others. You could google flood and fire damage restoration to find them in your area. Sometimes if you have them come out and look you can learn enough from them during the conversation to not have to contract with them but can DIY  the same process!!

William · Answer

I agree! The soot build up appears to be too extensive for the DIY. It can be done but it would take forever trying different products and finding something that would work.

Rob · Answer

You could try killz, or another type of sealer. I would contact the maker of kills and ask them if that would,be a suitable application.

Kathy Milburn · Answer

I had this situation with an oil furnace that blew.  I used 5 of the 5 gallon buckets of kilz to seal everything.  Took forever.  But it worked.

Cheryl · Answer

I worked for ServiceMaster for years. If the paint is flat, soot removal is best removed with the dry sponges. DO NOT WET THE SPONGES!!! The soot sticks to the sponge. If the paint is any form of gloss (semi,full, satin sheen), it must be washed down .  Never try to remove soot or any dirt on 'flat' paint by washing. You will end up with a bigger mess than what you started with. 'Sponging' the walls and ceiling is a tedious job and takes arm and shoulder strength.  Wipe first in straight strokes, overlapping each stroke. then can be wiped in opposite direction if really bad. Do small area at a time.  I have cleaned walls and ceilings that were black from smoke and soot, and been able to restore them to original color without painting.  You can purchase the sponges online from Home Depot. Soot and smoke HAS to be removed before being painted  over. It can cause 'bleed thru', and peeling of paint (especially on glossy surfaces.

Cheryl · Answer

The sponges are also great for wallpaper, fabric and just about anything that cannot be gotten wet.  Hope this info can help you.

Marion Nesbitt · Answer

Friend works for a contractor that goes in to fire damaged homes.  The product he uses is Zinzer oil-based stain blocker.

Beth Newton · Answer

Zinsser brand paint products are better for this kind of heavy duty project. You may have to look around a bit to find it, but it really is the best. I love my Kilz, but it's just not up to soot or cat pee!

Montana GermanShepherd BelgianMalinois Rescue · Answer

I cleaned a home that had soot and smoke damage with TSP, Tri-Sodium Phosphate, It worked wonders, took all soot away and the ceiling and walls were ready for painting. Just takes elbow grease, but well worth it! Found at your local hardware store..

Waterdancer · Answer

after cleaning try painting with 'Kiltz' when I cleaned Government/ HUD apartment buildings for smoke & mold damage they painted with  'kiltz'  before renting them back out, I am not sure what colors kiltz comes in because they always painted the apartments in white

Frannie · Answer

Try Kilz it's a stain blocker. Home Depot Lowes carries it

Rudy · Answer

Before paint 'kilts' you must wash with TSP. LYNNE

Tho14449567 · Answer

Yes clean with tsp but then you need to prime with Kilz smoke primer you'll never smell smoke again and it will not discolour agin good luck

Vaf13630665 · Answer

I JUST USED MY HOME INSURANCE.........IT WAS CLEANED, AND COMPLETELY REDONE...........

Kathy Aldridge · Answer

Years ago I had a kitchen fire. When the contractor did the job he used shellac on the ceilings before painting to seal in the smoke smell. We never detected the smoke again. Kilz is a much more 'modern' product, easier to use, but as effective (?).. Here's a discussion including safety precautions using shellac. http://www.painttalk.com/f2/sealing-odor-bin-...

Vickie Howell · Answer

You can also use dry cleaning sponges (made from 100% rubber, order online) to remove the majority of soot then a smoke primer... will reduce any smearing.

Chr4787838 · Answer

First washwith a good degreaser TSP is good then paint with Kilz. May need two coats. Then paint with  your choice of colors and finishes..

Peggy · Answer

There is oil in soot which is virtually resistant to most cleaners.  I would tile the ceiling and replace the moulding.

Cathy Graham · Answer

Kilz

Lynne · Answer

Kilz should do the trick it worked for me. Good Luck!

Carol · Answer

Strip the wallpaper and that cuts down the job.  Sealing  ceiling and moulding.with Kilz, then paint. I never heard of 'dry' sponges, but they sound great.

Jim · Answer

Chemical Sponge By Chemspec is the answer you are looking for. They work awesome for smoke, soot and oil.

Laurie · Answer

Try Bin Zinzer to seal & cover. May need two or theee coats! I used it on dark panelling to cover cigar smoke.

Pat · Answer

Try spray nine it is for boats and gets everything looking good.  My friend bought a trailer and the people smoked a lot we used this product on the walls and they came back clean as new .

512181 · Answer

I believe the oil based Kilz or other primer like Zinsser seals the water stains and I assume smoke stains too.  Of course clean the area first.

Sus4499217 · Answer

We had a house fire years ago and after the contractors gutted averything that needed to be removed he sprayed everything that was left with Kilz and we never had any smoke smell afterwards.

Bryan Texas Jarhead · Answer

The Bin Zinzer pigmented shellac will seal so that no odor or stains will come through . It is expensive but so worth it .

Emt9031931 · Answer

I used Kilz Primer as base coat in my grandmother's house. Fifty years of coal soot and kerosene smoke was covered nicely by one coat. I EVEN used it on the ceiling and floor. Funny though, it looked so good,  I never did paint!

Eliza Spear · Answer

Zinger 1-2-3 Bullseye primer covers and prevents bleed through

Nancy Henry · Answer

Shellac first; then Kilz. You won't have any bleeding then.  This combo also defeats any odor trying to coe out, too.

I need some advice on painting after smoke damage

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