How can I keep tobacco smoke residue on walls from bleeding through new paint?

Question

I bought an old farmhouse that has suffered significant neglect and abuse. While other repairs have been costly, like re-plumbing the entire house they are for the most part invisible. I have been having problems with repainting the interior. I am trying to repaint the interior and have problems with yellowing of the paint as it dries. I wash and repair the walls before I paint, but when I do the color does not come out as expected. I have applied 3 coats of brilliant white paint to the dining room and it comes out yellowish brown and splotchy. How can I prevent the paint from turning yellow as it dries? I know the other rooms are going to have the same problem. Also how can I paint over paneling, that apparently was greyish but is now dark brown?

As noted above, I do "clean" the walls, and the paint does stick, and the color looks great when the paint is still wet, it just comes out the wrong color when it dries.

There is a built in china cabinet in the dining room as well as broad baseboards and crown molding. I plan to use a shocking high contrast color like electric blue for the trim, I don't follow trends as to what is "in", if I was to do that I would be changing every couple of years.

Answer 1

Since you have already scrubbed the surface, use Kilz primer/sealer. You can also have it tinted close to the new color to save doing multiple coats.

Answer 2

While I recognize the unfairness to smokers, I must say as an asthmatic and a non-smoker that I support the ban in SOME public places. I'm from the US (don't know if you're talking about the UK), so here one cannot smoke in restaurants, in some bars at the discretion of the owner, and within 20ft of a public building. I personally find it reasonable. While I understand it's an addiction, I feel that the more limitations placed on smokers the better. It's like letting an alcoholic drink and be rowdy wherever they are, they'll obviously bother someone with their addiction as they will effect others around them. Smoking is becoming more taboo because people are bothered by it. Frankly it stinks and it's an extremely unattractive and unhealthy habit. The more lives we can save by banning it the better. Lung cancer is a terrible thing to live through as it oral cancer, emphasema, and chronic bronchitis. I've watched relatives suffer through the adverse effects of smoking and it's unneccessary to die before your time just for a silly ciggarette.

Answer 3

you may have to use a different color of paint, stark white is not what is hot right now anyways, the new colors are a light chocolate brown, sage green, or even deep yellows and like tones try to shake things up a bit. You will be surprised how much of a difference color makes. Choose the right accessories (pier 1, Ikea) and you will have a beautiful home in no time. Good luck! Have fun with it.

Answer 4

First of all you have to scrub the walls using water and TSP (tri-sodium phosphate). Then head to the paint/hardware store and ask for a product called Killz primer (I think that's the right name). If they don't have that product they should have a similar product. The primer prevents anything from bleeding through. Then paint using a good quality paint.

Answer 5

First, anything you paint over you will have to clean first, otherwise the paint won't stick. YOu can use TSP (avail at Home Depot or Lowes) or Fantastik. Then to cover stains, try "Kils" primer. It works great.

Answer 6

There is a commercial grade cover up called Kiltz

I used it and it prevented smoke from coming through.
Good luck!

Answer 7

Use a good primer prior to painting-- Kilz is the brand I use

Answer 8

theres a product called kilz that is made just exactly for the problem you described, you paint a coat of that first and it stops any bleedthrough.

Answer 9

dont know what country your in but in England we have something called 'stain-block' that you just slosh on before applying the new paint.

its normally used for covering stains caused by damp, but works pretty well on most things

Answer 10

If you use kiltz in the paint it won't bleed.