prepping walls after wallpaper removal....

diy'er on LI

hi

We're stripping wallpaper.... again! We're using the usual big box store spray removal and elbow grease. Afterwards, we intend to prep the walls and paint with a no VOC paint (sherwin williams)

We intend to remove.... wait a day, and then prime / paint. I know the ideal procedure would be to prime the walls with an oil-based primer.... I actually already bought the primer. But, I'm having second thoughts.

This room will be a baby's room. I REALLY want to avoid the degassing that oil primers do for months after application. Our pediatrician thinks my poor litte boy already might be coming down with allergies. I would like to avoid any airborne irritants.

Does anyone have any experience with a brand of primer that is low or no VOC that does well on walls following paper removal?

Thanks so much for your help

Faron79

Zinsser's Odorless Oil primer would be good!

It's still got an Oil smell, but it's a lower-VOC Oil. Usefull for hospitals, schools, etc.

A one-time use of an Oil primer, and low-VOC paints cannot possibly cause an allergy!
Yes, smells can temporarily irritate susceptible people's airways, but cannot by themselves cause an allergy!!

BTW...Perceived ODORS, and VOC's have less than nothing to do with each other!

Faron

Windows

Can you explain how that can be true when there is an entire structure of organic compounds named for it's smell?

hoz49

I'm a painter by trade. Stripped lots of W/C over the years. If you don't want to use an oil based primer I'd recommend Zinnzer 123. Acrylic based, lo odor. Good stuff. Kilz has an acrylic based primer also, Kilz plus and Kilz Premium.

Faron79

That odor/voc-level issue is one I've asked Paint-chemists a few years ago. One of them was a Looooonnngg-time lead chemist for Pratt & Lambert, who's now with another small independant paint co.

>>> Odors & VOC's have nothing to do with each other <<<

My own case in point...
* Zinsser's 123 Latex primer is a fantastic primer. Relatively low in VOC's, <100g/l I believe. BUT...I can't stand the smell of it!! I won't use it because of that.
* C2-One primer, another VERY good stainblocking latex, doesn't have much odor to ME at all! I could use it all day and not be bothered. Many customers of ours have said the same thing.
>>> BUT...it's moderately higher in VOC's than 123!!

So...I don't just make up statements like that lightly. The info. comes from very knowledgeable people.

Faron

diy'er on LI

Thanks so much for your reply! I was hoping a low VOC oil was out there... or a low VOC latex that would handle the post-wallpaper situation well.

My son hasn't been exposed to much paint fumes at all. I don't blame paint for whatever his respiratory ailment might be..... We're just worried because the physician believes he is either in the beginning stages of asthma or allergies. We're hoping it's neither, and the coughing will pass.

One thing's for certain... irritating the lungs with lots of VOC's and possibly stimulating his immune system (because of lung irritation) is pretty much the LAST thing we want to happen right now.

One more question..... How long must we wait between wallpaper removal, and priming? Can it merely be overnight? Or should I really wait several days? I don't really "trust the touch the wall and see if it's dry method"...... Thanks!

diy'er on LI

I just looked up the zinsser low odor oil primer, and according to the MSDS, it has over 300g/L VOC's.... same as all other brands. It's too much for us, I fear.

So, what experiences does anyone have with latex primers following wall paper removal? Especially low to no VOC primers like harmony from sherwin williams?

thanks!

stevenson66

I also am at this stage of my project. After reading many reveiws a product called Gardz Problem Surface Sealer seems the way to go. It is low odor and seals left over glue and any bits of paper left.You can check it out as many of the pro's i questioned recommend it.

hoz49

But gardz isn't a primer, just a sealer. The wall will still have to be primed and painted...

BMDealer

Gardz would be the way to go at <100gl VOC it is very low. Though being a sealer the TDS sheet says you can prime or top coat directly. Many of our contractors just roll 2 top coats and their done. Because Gardz dries clear you may want to prime if there is going to be a major color change.

diy'er on LI

Wonderful! That seems to fit the bill. The original wall color is white, so clear shouldn't be a problem.... (we're painting our little boy's room light blue )

Thanks so much for your help!