Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

how to paint over water stains on ceiling wall

1 view
Skip to first unread message

James Nguyen

unread,
Apr 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/15/98
to

At the begining of the El Nino season (back in Feb'98) here in San Diego
our house has some roof leaks which left lots of stains on our
bathroom's ceiling. After replacing the roof, we now have to get rid of
those stains on the ceiling. Couple guys from Home Depot showed me some
primer product to use which I did (several coatings) but the same stains
still went thru the primer coatings. Obviously we can't just paint over
the stains since they will appear through the paint again. Does anyone
know the correct way to solve this problem? Thanks a lot for any
advice.

Jim


Robert Allison

unread,
Apr 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/15/98
to James Nguyen

James Nguyen wrote:

Jim,
It sounds like you were pointed in the right direction, but with the
wrong product. The Home Depot guy probably gave you a stain killer primer
such as Kilz or Zinser. Then he probably gave you the water based or
"odorless" type. This will stop some stains, but stubborn stains need the
full strength, oil based,"get you high as a kite in unvented spaces" stain
sealer. I prefer Kilz, and I have not found anything short of some wood
saps that this will not seal. The only other problem that I can see is that
maybe the stains are still active (still getting wet).
--
Robert Allison robert2...@ix.netcom.com
Rimshot, Inc.
Please remove NOSPAM from address to reply.

Bob Horvath

unread,
Apr 15, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/15/98
to


James Nguyen wrote:

> At the begining of the El Nino season (back in Feb'98) here in San Diego
> our house has some roof leaks which left lots of stains on our
> bathroom's ceiling. After replacing the roof, we now have to get rid of
> those stains on the ceiling. Couple guys from Home Depot showed me some
> primer product to use which I did (several coatings) but the same stains
> still went thru the primer coatings. Obviously we can't just paint over
> the stains since they will appear through the paint again. Does anyone
> know the correct way to solve this problem? Thanks a lot for any
> advice.

Was the primer specifically for water spots? I was told that a product
called Kilz, along with other similar ones do the ticket. I ended up having
a room done professionally as I didn't have time to do it myself. Whatever
he used worked.


danh...@millcomm.com

unread,
Apr 16, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/16/98
to

In <35354096...@nosc.mil>, James Nguyen <jhng...@nosc.mil> writes:
>At the begining of the El Nino season (back in Feb'98) here in San Diego
>our house has some roof leaks which left lots of stains on our
>bathroom's ceiling. After replacing the roof, we now have to get rid of
>those stains on the ceiling. Couple guys from Home Depot showed me some
>primer product to use which I did (several coatings) but the same stains
>still went thru the primer coatings. Obviously we can't just paint over
>the stains since they will appear through the paint again. Does anyone
>know the correct way to solve this problem? Thanks a lot for any
>advice.

Most stain-blocking primers have very little pigment in them, meaning that
the stain will still be visible after the primer has been applied.
However, they will still be effective in preventing the stain from soaking
through into the finish coat.

Of course, if things are still damp then all bets are off.

Dan Hicks
Hey!! My advice is free -- take it for what it's worth!
http://www.millcomm.com/~danhicks

Keith R. Williams

unread,
Apr 16, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/16/98
to

On Wed, 15 Apr 1998 23:19:50, James Nguyen <jhng...@nosc.mil>
wrote:

> At the begining of the El Nino season (back in Feb'98) here in San Diego
> our house has some roof leaks which left lots of stains on our
> bathroom's ceiling. After replacing the roof, we now have to get rid of
> those stains on the ceiling. Couple guys from Home Depot showed me some
> primer product to use which I did (several coatings) but the same stains
> still went thru the primer coatings. Obviously we can't just paint over
> the stains since they will appear through the paint again. Does anyone
> know the correct way to solve this problem? Thanks a lot for any
> advice.

I don't know what you used, but the standard treatment is
"pigmented shelac". BIN is one brand. If you have a wide area
of stains, I'd recommend painting the entire surface. If the
stains are small it can be touched up, but the surface will be
different. This has always worked for me, anyway.

----
Keith R. Williams
k...@ibm.net

See Sig to Reply

unread,
Apr 16, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/16/98
to

In article <3535745C...@ix.netcom.com>, Robert Allison <robert2...@ix.netcom.com> wrote:

>James Nguyen wrote:
>
>> At the begining of the El Nino season (back in Feb'98) here in San Diego
>> our house has some roof leaks which left lots of stains on our
>> bathroom's ceiling. After replacing the roof, we now have to get rid of
>> those stains on the ceiling. Couple guys from Home Depot showed me some
>> primer product to use which I did (several coatings) but the same stains
>> still went thru the primer coatings. Obviously we can't just paint over
>> the stains since they will appear through the paint again. Does anyone
>> know the correct way to solve this problem? Thanks a lot for any
>> advice.
>> Jim
>
> Jim,
> It sounds like you were pointed in the right direction, but with the
>wrong product. The Home Depot guy probably gave you a stain killer primer
>such as Kilz or Zinser. Then he probably gave you the water based or
>"odorless" type. This will stop some stains, but stubborn stains need the
>full strength, oil based,"get you high as a kite in unvented spaces" stain
>sealer.
[snip]

I thought the "good" Kilz was no longer for sale in California, only the
watered-down no fumes type was allowed there (which, BTW, doesn't work
well at all). Is this true?

--
Spam is BLOCKED.
Reply to:
http://members.wbs.net/homepages/a/r/x/arxaw/wbspager.html

KKing10231

unread,
Apr 17, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/17/98
to

I bought Kilz in a spray can here in Mass. at a Walmart...stuff worked great on
some nasty water stains on ceiling. Also worked well covering magic marker on
the wood-work.
Someday I'm gonna quit procrastinating!

Bob & Sue B.

unread,
Apr 17, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/17/98
to

We have leaking roof stains on our popcorn ceiling. Could someone
please tell me the quickest, easiest, best way to remove them or cover
them? We are really naive when it comes to anything to do with our house.
Also, we are repainting our bathroom which has no windows, is a terrible
color of blue in a latex paint semi gloss (I think) and has mildew besides.
What's the best way to clean and prepare these walls please? I repainting
with a buttery cream color.
Thank you so much! (We are quite a way froma Home Depot or anything
like that.)

--
Sue in Oregon
Please remove "remove.this." from my addy before replying

Robert Allison wrote in message <3535745C...@ix.netcom.com>...
>James Nguyen wrote:


Mr Fixit

unread,
Apr 18, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/18/98
to

Bob & Sue B. wrote in message <6h94f1$h...@tcl.mtjeff.com>...

======================
A commercial product called "X-14" will kill the mildew and bleach out the
stains on both problem areas. As will a 1 to 2 mixture of household bleach
and water, sprayed on.
In either case, you need to tarp all surfaces below the area to prevent the
bleach from getting onto anything besides the area you are treating.

If the stains are so bad that they will not bleach out, you will need to use
a stain blocking primer before painting.

Don't rush to judgement on the success of the bleach. I have seen it
continue to lighten a stain for more than 2 hours.

Mr Fixit

Ron Natalie

unread,
Apr 20, 1998, 3:00:00 AM4/20/98
to

Paint over any stained areas with a pigmented white shellac
(one trade name is Kilz) first.

0 new messages