How to paint over Nicotine stained walls and ceilings.

If you're having trouble painting over nicotine stained walls and ceilings, then this is the place to get a perfect finish, fast! When painting over nicotine, you'll notice that everything looks okay when you first apply the paint. Over the next few minutes you might notice the paint turning a brown colour. This is the nicotine stain coming through the paint. Don't be tempted to keep painting. The stains will keep on coming back!

Painting a ceiling with nicotine stains

If you have a ceiling with nicotine stains, then there are paints which are stain block and ceiling paint in one. Dulux Trade Stain Block Matt is a good ceiling paint and stain block in one. The tin does say it will over in one coat, however in our experience we recommend two coat. If there are many years of nicotine damage, then a third coat could be required, however the advantage is that you don't need a separate paint to then paint over the stain block. The paint is also very matt, so leaves a good finish ideal for a ceiling.

Painting walls with nicotine stains

There are two options for painting walls with nicotine stains. The first option is to put a coat of the previously mentioned Dulux Trade Stain Block Matt. Then paint 2 top coats of your chosen paint. This is good for medium severity stains.

If there is heavy staining then we would recommend Zinsser 123 plus. This has a stronger stain block. One coat of Zinsser and then two top coats should cover most stains.

Overcoming potential problems with nicotine when painting

If you find the stains coming back after using the stain block then there are a few things you can do which can help.

The first is to ensure you leave the stain block paint for 4-8 hours before painting your top coats. This ensures the stain block dries fully and locks in the stains.

Stains coming through paint from nicotine stained walls

Another problem we have encountered is when removing ceiling or wall paper. While removing the ceiling paper the walls can become wet. The water seems to go underneath the nicotine. Then when using the stain block paint it doesn't fully lock in the stains. You can add multiple coats of stain block but the stains keep leaching through the paint. If you get this problem then we recommend using a stain block spray. We have had success in this instance with Everbuild Stain Block Spray. This dries out any problem areas of nicotine, leaving a good surface to paint over. Another advantage of the spray is you can paint over the spray in 15 minutes!

Key takeaways for painting nicotine stained walls

The first key point is to not get any moisture in the walls from cleaning, or from strippinng wallpaper. This will give severe issues when trying to cover with paint.

Also if you have any doubt use stain block paint. If you don't you will end up applying a number of coats of paint. It's worth the extra effort at the start, adding the stain block paint, and then continuing with your top coats.

Remember the stain block paint for the ceilings are all you need. No need for additional coats of ceiling paint. This is great as these are often the worst areas which need a couple of coats of paint.

Leave the stain block paint at least 6 hours before recoating. Otherwise the stain will not be locking in by the paint.

Any trouble spots use the stain block spray. It's very effective and better than re-painting an entire wall for one small stain.