PREVENTING & RESOLVING ODOR BUILDUP PROBLEMS

It is normal for paints to have an odor. Odor comes from the liquid portion of paint and will evaporate as the paint dries and cures.

PREVENTING ODOR BUILDUP PROBLEMS

The most critical factor in preventing odor buildup is to paint in a well-ventilated area and continue to allow adequate ventilation until the film is fully cured.

Ask yourself these questions in preventing and resolving odor buildup issues:

Is the odor causing you discomfort?
If so, leave the area of concern.
Contact tech support or the 24-hour emergency number on the paint container to obtain an MSDS that your doctor can help you evaluate.

Is there a foul odor upon first opening a can of latex paint that does not dissipate?
Is there also a curdled consistency to the product? If so, this could indicate that at some point the paint had frozen. Paint in this condition should not be used.

Is there an odor after the paint is fully cured?
This may be caused by a different problem. Often painting is just one of the steps in a home improvement project, and other steps could lead to an odor problem. For example, disturbing carpeting, drapes or furniture in living areas can lead to musty odors in a room that you may not have noticed before. Also, preparing a bathroom for painting by washing with bleach can release odors into the area.

RESOLVING ODOR BUILDUP PROBLEMS

To avoid a repeat of the problem, ventilation is critical. To increase ventilation in a room, open an exterior window. Point a fan facing out of the window to draw odors to the outside. Place another fan in front of a different open window, drawing in fresh air. Once fully cured, and with adequate ventilation, the paint should not emit odors.

The information in this document is for general informational use and is not all-inclusive. Since application variables are a major factor in product performance, this information should serve only as a general guide. Valspar assumes no obligation or liability for use of this information.