Dealing With Water Stains (NAPSA)—It happens every year. Months of wet winter weather followed by the spring thaw produce oneof the most common household problems—water stains on walls or ceilings. You might be tempted to cover water stains by applying a fresh coat of paint. But, chances are, it won't work. Most waterstains will bleed right through ordinary paint—no matter how manycoats of paint you apply. Fortunately, there are products designed to permanently block stains and prevent them from ruining your new paint job. Follow these steps from the experts at Zinsser to help you deal with water stains on any painted surface in your home: Make sure the surface is sound. Eliminate the source of the moisture or you'll soon have another unsightly water stain. * Clean the surface with a solution of one cup bleach per gallon of water and rinse thoroughly with water to remove mildew, dirt andother unsightly deposits. Dry the surface completely. Use a hair dryer to dry small areas. Larger areas may require the use of a dehumidifier, heater or fan to ensure the surface is completely dry before painting. Prime the surface with an oilbase, stain-killing primer such as Cover-Stain. If you try to block a water stain with a water-base primer, the stain is likely to “rewet” or bleed through. Cover-Stain is It takes an oil-base primer to cover water stains on your walls and ceilings. specially formulated to block water and water-soluble stains such as those from markers, ink, food and nicotine in just one coat. And because it is an interior/exterior primer-sealer stain killer, it’s great for trapping tannins and preventing bleed through from hightannin-content wood like cedar and redwood. Tip from the Pros: For quick touch-up of water and other common overhead stains, consider using a vertical aerosol such as Covers Up™ Stain Sealing Ceiling Paint. It matches most acoustic ceiling tiles, so it’s great when you wantto cover a spot or two. e After the primer has dried, follow up with two coats of your desired topcoat paint. For more information on Zins- ser’s complete line of primers—or for more helpful home improvement tips—visit www.zinsser.com or call (732) 469-8100.
