Sealing Smoke Odor

[BOB OLINGER]

We may have an opportunity to renovate and flip a small house with smoke damage. I picked up a recommendation that said to seal the bare wall studs (after removing the wallboard - both drywall and some plaster/lath) with shellac. Can anyone comment on this; is it effective; any better solutions? I'd appreciate any input. Thanks.

[Jerry Bruette]

Zinsser BIN primer is advertised as being able to seal smoke and other odors.

[William A Johnston]

I'd rent a large Ozinator.

What about Kiltz after?

Bill

[Aaron Rosenthal]

In all the apartments I repaired/repainted with heavy smoke damage, I either used Kilz or Zinsser. Either one.
Check with your paint store. Fresh start is much more expensive, and not worth the extra cost.

[Doug Dawson]

I'd rent a large Ozinator.

What about Kiltz after?

Bill

Killz 2 works pretty good at smoke remediation. I don’t know about frame down restoration, though.

[Frank Pratt]

My sister bought a house that had been repaired after a major fire. It started in the basement, burned through the main floor, attic, and out the roof. All the framing had been sealed with a silver paint and it really did the job. I couldn't smell even a hint of smoke. Then I did some wiring for him & as soon as a hole was drilled it released the strong smell of a camp fire. No idea what brand it was though.

It has to be thoroughly sealed. Without sealing, ozone will do nothing to get rid of the smell.

[Ole Anderson]

All the framing had been sealed with a silver paint and it really did the job.

My uncle used to be a painter while he was studying medicine in the 1950's. He always used aluminum paint as a sealer on exterior wood. Seemed to be a standard back then.

[roger wiegand]

The shellac-based Zinsser primer works wonders on cat pee, should be great for smoke. Check the label to be sure you're getting the one that use an alcohol solvent, the water based one doesn't particularly work to block either stains or odors.

[Bill Dufour]

Shellac is great. It will stick to any finish and any finish will stick to it. At least the traditional alcohol based ones. And it is safe to eta. Many pills are shellac coated.
Bil lD