[diybifold]

I'm a total newbie/amateur that moved into an apartment with pretty dirty closet doors (pictured below) that hadn't been painted in 30 years. Following recommendation, I used Aqua Lock to prime the closet doors then painted over it a week later w/Benjamin Moore Regal semi-gloss. Now the closet doors give a nasty foul odor that has lingered for literally months! Other closet doors of the same material were painted over with no primer and I don't have the issue. PLEASE give me some recommendations or suggestions on how I can correct this short of replacing these doors. Thanks in advance!

 

[747]

Looks like something is going on behind those spots.

 

[chrisn]

As mentioned, did you just prime over the dirt and maybe mold?

 

[diybifold]

Looks like something is going on behind those spots.

Actually those pics are of closet before any painting was done

 

[diybifold]

As mentioned, did you just prime over the dirt and maybe mold?

I cleaned them with water and some dish washing detergent and let them dry before applying primer. From googling terms such as "bad odor after priming" and "bad smell primer" it seems others have had similar issues and are suggesting products like Zinsser shellac based primer to cover up. I'm wondering if it's the type of material the closet is made of thats doesn't like the latex primer I used. Not sure exactly what it's made of but it's kinda looks like material Ikea furniture is made of but a lot sturdier.

 

[Brushjockey]

Did it smell before you painted? Also you are saying closet doors- not interior of closet. Was the interior ( where the spots are) also painted?

 

[diybifold]

Did it smell before you painted? Also you are saying closet doors- not interior of closet. Was the interior ( where the spots are) also painted?

No smell before painting, just discoloration / stains from neglect. The interior which is dry wall was painted but doesn't give off an odor. Only the doors give off odor.

 

[Brushjockey]

Boy- that's a hard one. The prime/ paint shouldn't have activated something.
Here is an idea- pop them off and move them to another area and see if they still have an odor. I am still suspecting the interior more than the doors.

 

[diybifold]

Boy- that's a hard one. The prime/ paint shouldn't have activated something.
Here is an idea- pop them off and move them to another area and see if they still have an odor. I am still suspecting the interior more than the doors.

Interiors of the closet were painted a week or so before the doors and any didn't give off any odors except for a fresh paint smell for a few hours after applying the paint. Its definitely the doors.

 

[Brushjockey]

Well, about the only suggestion left is to re do with BIN. Make sure to also do the tops , bottoms and sides. BIN can stop cat urine, so it's about the best odor killer there is. It is an alcohol (denatured) based shellac- and dries very quickly. Put it on and leave it. Not time to work it.

good luck!

 

[747]

Oh i messed up your post. I thought walls your saying doors. Just take them off. Then to garage or outside. Litely scuff up with some sandpaper and hit with bins. Make sure you buy some denature alcohol for cleanup. Hands,brushes. This is oil based. If this doesn't work i don't know what to say.