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Paint smells like 'wet dog'

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I didn't realise that paint can deteriorate and go off but I used some Dulux emulsion which had been stored for a few years. There was no bad smell when I opened the tin and it looked normal.

However I painted  inside my conservatory: the dwarf brick walls as didn't like the original red brick but it's dried leaving the most disgusting smell similar to a wet dog if that makes sense!  The room is now unusuable , it nauseating, even after 5 days.  Please can anyone give me advice or suggestions on what to do now.  Thanks.
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Comments

  • Ebe_Scrooge
    Ebe_Scrooge Posts: 7,320 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Can you go over it with paint that smells like dry dog? :)
    Seriously though - have you ventilated it thoroughly?  Not the most practical time of year to be doing it, I appreciate - but if it's essentially just paint fumes then it should dissipate fairly rapidly if you're able to leave door and windows wide open for as long as possible.  Would this be practical - can you isolate the room from the rest of the house?
  • Apodemus
    Apodemus Posts: 3,410 Forumite
    Ninth Anniversary 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Can you go over it with paint that smells like dry dog? :)
    :smiley:  
  • Thanks Ebe_Scrooge.  I agree not best time to be painting with doors wide open. I've been meaning to do it for ages so aware how daft I was to even think about it.  So doors are wide open and I can close it off from rest of house. I don't mind the smell of normal  paint but this is just way different.

    I was a bit concerned as had read the odour of bad paint can be caused by bacteria and bad for health, especially lungs.
  • plumb1_2
    plumb1_2 Posts: 4,395 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Paint over it with Zinseer BIN, to seal it, the fresh new paint 
  • Ebe_Scrooge
    Ebe_Scrooge Posts: 7,320 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks Ebe_Scrooge.  I agree not best time to be painting with doors wide open. I've been meaning to do it for ages so aware how daft I was to even think about it.  So doors are wide open and I can close it off from rest of house. I don't mind the smell of normal  paint but this is just way different.

    I was a bit concerned as had read the odour of bad paint can be caused by bacteria and bad for health, especially lungs.
    Yep, paint does go off, and it can emit some really odd smells when it does.  I wouldn't say you were "daft" to do it - you weren't to know the paint had gone off!
    But in terms of any health risks, I really think you'll be fine if you're able to ventilate it and let it have a good blow-through.  Like ordinary paint smell, once it's gone it's gone - it's not like it's going to be continually giving off the smell.  Once it's dried and any residual fumes have dissipated, you should be fine.

  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 11,018 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I had problems with the smell of Valspar Bathroom & Kitchen paint in our downstairs loo and lobby. Had the window open daily for about a month and still it didn't go. Fortunately it went when I painted over the top of it with some new Dulux. Think the Valspar base paint may have been old stock even though it was freshly mixed for us the week before I decorated.
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  • Thank you Slinky. Jeez you still had the lingering smell even after a month!
    I painted over brick so guess, as it's porous, that smell may take a very long time to go.

    However, I will try anything and if a coat of new paint works then will definitely try that.

  • plumb1_2 said:
    Paint over it with Zinseer BIN, to seal it, the fresh new paint 
    Thanks for advice. Have never heard of it but now on my to do list. Assume it's available in Homebase, Screwfix etc.
  • FreeBear
    FreeBear Posts: 18,245 Forumite
    Tenth Anniversary 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    plumb1_2 said:
    Paint over it with Zinseer BIN, to seal it, the fresh new paint 
    Thanks for advice. Have never heard of it but now on my to do list. Assume it's available in Homebase, Screwfix etc.

    Certainly available from Screwfix. But you will need an alcohol to clean the brushes - Regular white spirit or warm soapy water won't work. Zinsser recommend denatured alcohol (methylated spirits, a.k.a. meths), but isopropyl alcohol works just as well.
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  • Thank you FreeBear for your helpful suggestion. I've got plenty of rubbing alcohol in the house, which use for general cleaning but didn't know about its use regards cleaning paint brushes.
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