I recently had a radiator burst in my bathroom and the water penetrated the ceiling downstairs into my breakfast room. There are quite bad stains on the joints and around the coving which I'd like to paint over with white emulsion. Two friends have advised different approaches? One says to paint the areas with gloss paint first to seal it? The other sugested using a diluted solution of PVA? There's quite a large area to do so I would prefer to go down the PVA route? Can any decorators tell me what the best solution is and if it is to use PVA - what is the best quantity to use when mixing the solution up? and can it be applied with a roller or does it have to be brushed on? Also what's the ideal drying time? Many thanks guys.
I am with midnight cowboy on this This is the best way and most economical Do it this way all the time when we have the same problem
As already mentioned, white oil based undercoat will block the stain. I'd give it two coats of undercoat, making sure the first coat has fully dried before applying the second. Then when dry, give the treated area a couple of coats of emulsion, again wait till the first coat has fully dried before applying the second. You'll notice the treated area will take longer to dry out than normal and will look patchy until fully dry. Lastly, I'd give the whole ceiling and coving one coat of emulsion. I use Johnstones Covaplus Vinyl Matt, lovely stuff.
With several reports on this forum with regard to the 'longer drying times' of the new lower solvent compliant paints I would recommend Zinsser Cover Stain. Supperior product, made for this type of problem and dries within the hour. When dry a coat of quality emulsion over the entire ceiling will leave you with a good finished job.
Brewers stock Zinsser products. Go to www.brewers.co.uk for the branch locator (130 so there should be one near you). Give your nearest branch a ring for the price.