ZinsserCover Stain 1 Litre

Two weeks ago failed grouting in shower caused water staining in room below. I left it for a week to dry, including one day with dehumidifier running. This paint is very thick. I used a synthetic brush and it really dragged. I don't think it would be easy to apply with a roller. Having said that, using a 3" brush, (size of tin restricted use of larger brush) putting smallish amounts on it often, it did cover well without much spraying off the brush. Area was ceiling and top of wall, mostly light staining, about 3 square metres in all. I applied two generous coats and the manufacturer's info of coverage (9.8m per litre) is about right. Overpainted with Leyland Trade Super Leytex Matt emulsion, two coats, and that gave a perfect finish apart from one very small area where the staining was very dark. I gave that one extra coat each of the Zinseer and the emulsion and the result is perfect.Heads up. This is solvent based and the fumes are VERY strong. I had to open the doors to ventilate the room. Also, equipment must be cleaned with white spirit. It was recoatable after two hours, although I left the second coat overnight before applying emulsion. The 1 litre tin doesn't have a handle, so I stood it in a paint kettle to make it easier to handle.The Zinsser is expensive, but over decades I've had to deal with similar problems and this was the easiest and most effective method I've come across, so the trade off with price was worth it.

Having used a Zinsser stain block before for a water leak stain on the ceiling, I can honestly say that this one is the ONLY one to work on water stains.I did lots of research in tradesmen/DIY frequented store websites who all swear by this one. Having used their BIN123 product before, thinking all was well until a year or so later, the stain reappeared I didn’t want to repeat it. I gather the difference here is whether it’s water/oil based. This is oil based, which seems to make it harder to use but much more effective.Trust me on this; if you’re unsure whether to choose this or the BIN123 version, then I can tell you without doubt to go for this.I used a good quality brush for a patch & all along the joist lines that obviously soaked up the water then generously shared the wood stain to the ceiling below, so it was a fair size area.It took 2 coats with a 3rd small touch up on a really bad spot. It initially leaves a gloss type finish that seems hard to cover afterwards, despite using 2 coats of a good trade matte ceiling paint over it. I confess, I started to worry the shine would always show through in certain lights, but it eventually somehow settles with time (after the painting is done) & it’s now blended perfectly, so not understanding how/why is no longer more than a mild frustration/curiosity.As someone else said: do ventilate the room well, as this stuff is seriously strong. Also make sure you clean the brush meticulously afterwards as it’s not a quick/easy clean. Get as much excess paint off the brush as possible before soaking it in white spirit etc if you want to salvage your brush.This isn't totally painless to work with either, as it feels like it drags on the brush (akin to R.M’s red enamel paint) but I can honestly say it’s worth the money & does what it claims on the tin.

Great quality stuff goes on really thickly and covers well,shame amazon cannot pack items like this correctly,wrapped in a thin layer of bubble wrap with paper,no clips or tape securing the lid,arrived dented with leakage into the bubble wrap,needed to finish a job so decided to keep rather than return will buy paintvetc from elsewhere next time

Used on water stained wall, good coverage and goes on a cream colour and changes to white after fully dry, stains have not reappeared, does have a strong smell but goes away after a few days

Worked great

Like how quick it dries . Covers staining on ceiling excellently.

Used by professional decorator who knew how to use the product, required 2 coats to cover water stain marks. Very strong odour, needs good ventilation when using.

Works well to block stains, but the smell is very strong and lingers.