Eggshell paint.

[ImLostAgain]

A friend is trying to clean up smoke damage from his kitchen ceiling. On the advice of a painter friend of his he used sugar soap with a degree off success. Although the thick of it has gone the ceiling looks terrible. We have all given it a go but I think it's the best he's going to get.
Now his painter friend has suggested using 'eggshell' paint. Now my questions are these. Is this any good, as none of us have heard of it before, and do all the manufacturers make it and if so, any recommendations as to which is the best.

[Hawkwalk]

Eggshell paint just gives a type of finish similar to an eggshell, like a dull sheen. I would not have thought it is suitable alone to use to cover smoke damage to a ceiling as the black from the smoke will show through in time. I would suggest re-plastering or using artex to cover first.

[weeal]

eggshell paint used to be good, its now impossible to get one thats not oil based and shiny, I wouldnt recommend it either, and drying time is about 16 hours !!
You can get textured paints which would probably do not too bad a cover up
http://www.diy.com/di...05&CAWELAID=326895842
Do not buy the Polycell one as its complete rubbish, they gave me my money back when it didnt even cover pink walls in 3 coats after showing on the TV it covered navy blue in one coat.

[ImLostAgain]

Thanks to you both.
I must admit the painter has been long retired through ill health so his advice is probably out of date. So, taking both answers, artex, is that the stipple affect? Same question with textured paints?

[Hawkwalk]

Artex does give you that stipple effect but I think you can get various types of wall/ceiling covering materials that are not textured. You could also use a stain block paint as an undercoat and then use an emulsion over the top which should do the job.

[ethandron]

on the advice of a decorator we know, we used oil based undercoat under emulsion paint on a ceiling that had water marks on it which kept showing through the emulsion paint. did the trick, so it may work with your problem too.

[ImLostAgain]

Ok I have had a chat with my friend and he seems to think the stain block or the oil based undercoat (which seem to be similar) is the way to go. I'm going to take him into B&Q or Focus to see what they have got.
Many thanks.