paintng smelly wood?

Question

a family member gave me a childs bedroom set for my son, the problem is it has been in thier basement for almost 2 years and it smells really musty. I tried wood cleaner and lysol but i cant get the smell out. I would like to paint the wood to match the room, would that help with the smell? cover it up? the wood doesnt looklike its sealed or has varnish..but it could just be so old that it has worn off..any help with the smell? and/or how to paint over work?

Answer 1

Try washing the wood with TSP. You'll find it at any local hardware store. Use the liquid kind, as it isn't toxic and you won't have to rinse it like you would the powder that you have to mix yourself.

Once you have washed it, the smell may still be there. That's because wood is porous and soaks up smell. There is a solution though...

Once the wood has dried after washing with TSP, lightly sand the wood all over. Remove the dust with a soft cloth. Then, using an oil-based primer (either in spray or from a can - I like Kilz or Bulls Eye 1-2-3) and place 2 coats of the primer on the wood. This will seal the wood and it won't matter if there is a varnish as varnish is oil based and will take the primer. Once you have let the primer completely dry, the wood will be well sealed. You may then apply any kind of paint that you like. You can then be certain that the smell is sealed off. And you'll have a great new bedroom set!

Enjoy!