If your walls are smoke damaged from fire or smell of stale tobacco from years of cigarette smoke, you can paint them to alleviate the smell and discoloration.
For the new paint job to be effective, you should properly prep your walls. If you simply put on a new coat of paint, the discoloration will likely bleed through and discolor the new paint.
Instructions
Paint Smoky Walls
1. Wash the walls. Use Trisodium Phosphate Cleaner if your walls were damaged by smoke from a fire. Trisodium Phosphate Cleaner is available at hardware and home improvement stores. It comes in powder form and is water soluble. Use a scrub pad or sponge with this cleaner.
If you prefer nonchemical cleaners, use a formula that includes vinegar. Two parts water to one part vinegar is a natural, grease-cutting solution. Use a soft scrub brush with this formula for maximum effectiveness.
Wear latex or rubber gloves when cleaning your walls.
Whatever type of cleaner you use, be sure to rinse with a clean cloth or sponge after washing. Let the walls dry thoroughly after rinsing.
2. Prime the walls. Use a quality primer such as Kilz to apply a layer of primer to the walls. Primers, paint and paint supplies are available at hardware, home improvement and paint supply stores.
Apply this first layer in a thin coat. Let dry.
3. Apply another layer of primer to the walls. Check for any spots where discoloration is bleeding through and apply primer to those areas.
4. Apply a high-quality coat of paint to your walls after the primer is completely dry. Use semigloss paint, as this will not streak or bleed should you need to wipe any substances, such as spaghetti sauce, off your walls.
5. Apply a second coat of paint after the first coat is completely dry.
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