How best to paint a sooty surface General decorating topics, questions and answers. find help, tips and advice on completing your decorating projects

[mortod]

I need to paint what used to be a (wood?) boiler room which over the years has accumulated a thin layer of black on the brick walls and rendered ceiling. I have cleaned as best I can - no loose stuff, but still pretty black.

How best to tackle this? Should I seal/stabilise first with PVA or some other product? Should I then use indoor immulsion or a masonary paint? I did just put a dab of exterior masonary paint onto the surface and it seemed to take OK. The quality of finish is not important as is only to be used as a store cupboard.

Any advice appreciated.

[chris_on_tour2002]

if the surface is clean and there is no more loose dust then paint should take ok. use a good quality primer first, such as bullseye which also has stain blocking properties - staining bleeding through is likely to be a bigger problem than getting the paint to stick.