Smelly walls from paint problem

Hello everyone, I have a problem that I'm at my wits end with. I'm hoping some pro's can give me a solution. Here's a little background.

My house was built int 1998, I moved in about 2.5 years ago. This past summer I decided to paint the whole house. I used valspar signature paint+primer from Lowes in every room, about 6 total, and they were different colors and different bases. Fast forward to where I paint my master bedroom in July. After the paint has dried, this one room has a prominent smell. It smells stale, almost similar to moth balls, or some older folks homes (no offense to anyone out there) and is very apparent when you walk in. At first we didn't know what was causing it but when smelling the walls it was apparent this was it. So over a week or so ago I got around to take care of it. I tried using some killz primer, and I applied two coats to the walls. A day later I picked up fresh paint from Lowes and painted over the dried primer. After it dried, the smell is back, and coming from the walls again. I have no idea what to do now.

 

Welcome to the forums!

Maybe you should try a different brand of paint. The oil base Kilz should have sealed up any odor in the drywall or old paint. Maybe there is something in that base or the colorant used. Was there any unusual odor when the paint was wet? Was the odor gone after the primer dried?

 

Oddly enough, I used a completely different color, different base and tint all together when I painted. I didn't notice any smell when the primer was there however even with "odorless killz" there is quite a prominent odor and I painted a day later. I didn't notice a smell in the original paint or any of the new paint.

 

You might try taking some left over paint and painting some scrap material [cardboard should work] and storing it in a closet or small space and then go back a few days later to see if it has the same odor. We are assuming it's the paint but it's possible that it's something else in the room.

 

I tried this out and doesn't seem to be the new paint I picked up. Any other ideas?

 

I wonder if putting/using a humidifier in the room would help ?? Painting puts extra humidity in the space and humid air can pull odors out of carpet and other porous materials.

Looking on the bright side - at least we've ruled out what it isn't

 

I had posed this problem somewhere else and a few seemed to think there might be something mold related, but the timing of the smell starting and the fact it comes from all 4 walls doesn't seem likely to me, what do you think?

Also had someone recommend trying an ozone treatment in the room, any experience with that?

 

I don't know anything about ozone treatments. I suppose you could cut of the breaker, pull an electrical device or two and try and see if the odor is any stronger behind the wall.