Stain Block.

[ummmm]

Any recommendations? I see there are paint on ones or spray on.

It's a stain from a leak.

[patsyann]

Maybe one of the astonish products. There are powders and a block like soap but would be best to go and look on the containers to see which one looks mist suitable. I have found the powder very successful but a friend prefers the block .wilkinsons have a good choice and the supermarkets .

[ummmm]

Cheers, Patsy, didn't think about supermarkets.

[Retrochic]

Is it a stain on fabric or plaster/wood?

[ummmm]

Plaster. You know how the ceiling goes all yellow.

[Prudie]

I've tried the spray on one but to be honest if it didn't work on a large bad stain (like through a white ceiling) the only thing that really worked was to paint over a couple of times with a normal oil based paint (gloss or undercoat) and then emulsion over.

[ummmm]

I was thinking the paint on one might be better. It was a leak from the attic that leaked down the walls which then stained the downstairs ceiling as well.

[PankySmooch]

There is a paint out there for covering leak stains, used one a few years ago and they do work

[melv16]

Oil based undercoat will do the job. It was used before stain blocks came on the market.

[Retrochic]

We've had exactly the same problem. We used this

http://www.duluxtradepaintexpert.co.uk/web/pdf/datasheets/307.pdf

Then two coats of good quality emulsion.

[ummmm]

Melv...you're a decorator aren't you?

[Retrochic]

you can't apply emulsion over the top of oil based paint so would have to do the whole ceiling in an oil based paint which would be really expensive.

[melv16]

Yes ummmm, I'm a decorator.

[ummmm]

I'm sure I'll have some more questions for you in the not too decent future :-)

[EcclesCake]

I hope that's a typo Ummmm

[ummmm]

Lol...I had to read it 3 times....

Yeah...that's what you get when you half watch telly and half type.

'distant' :-)

[EcclesCake]

I had visions of the 70's and 'What the decorator saw!'.........

[theshedman]

Hi, I have always used the same trick as melv16 also having been a decorator but also put some oil based gloss in with it and it has always worked fine. As for painting over it with emulsion, just put the first coat on and allow to dry which does take a good number of hours then emulsion as normal. Although there are a number of sealers on the market these days available from most DIY stores. If you have some oil based paint why not try it and save a few quid.

[ummmm]

I will do. Thanks all very much :-)