Zinnsers low odor oil based is what you need

Ditto...
on the Zinsser "Odorless"-Oil. It hardly "odorless", but odors are masked better than some Oils!
They've switched to a newer, lower-VOC alkyd resin from Plioway. New Labeling is a big green panel on the can.

It's more work, but consider TWO full coats of primer!
Reason:
* This will give you some "sanding-cushion" depth.
* Wait a day for the primer-coats to harden-off, then use a 220-grit sanding screen on a pole.
* Lightly sand the walls. You'll just be doing a "filing your nails" kinda sanding.
* Yes, you'll make another round of dust, BUT you'll have a pretty decent smooth surface for the new paint!

Faron

Thank You, christophern & faron79. I will check out Zinsser low odor oil base at the paint store tomorrow. I will consider the two coats of primer too, what's another extra step? *sigh*

:)

Zinsser Odorless Primer is tough to find. Is the Odorless a new product? Been to 5 paint stores locally that carry Zinsser products, and none carry Odorless. A couple stores listed on the Zinsser website as having the specific product didn't have it either. I found a store today, and will hopefully go visit them tomorrow.

One guy at one of the stores asked me why I wanted it, so I explained the situation to him. He said it isn't going to make any difference, I should have a pro come in and scrape all the walls. It discouraged me a bit. I really hope there isn't enough wallpaper or glue or whatever to mess this up.

Skymom,

Sorry you're having trouble finding that Primer!
ANY ACE store can get it if they don't stock it.
It's fairly common up here anyway...

Sure you can have a "Pro" come in and scrape...BUT it's no guarantee of any better job!!
The steps I mentioned will get you to a pretty good surface for painting.
You could also use Zinsser's Cover-Stain primer. A little more "oil smell" to it, but a very good primer.Let 2 coats dry out for a day, then do the 220-grit sanding-screen light sanding.

Faron

Thanks, Faron. I truly appreciate all your help. I called around and found a local store that will order it for me. I should have done that before, thanks for the kick in the pants. I am usually pretty good about things like this, but I guess I got set on finding it in stock and plum forgot to just order it.

If you don't mind, I have two more questions.

1) I am going to use either Benjamin Moore Waterborne Ceiling Paint Ultra Flat Finish #508 or Benjamin Moore Muresco #258. Do you recommend I prime with the Odorless before I paint the ceiling too? The ceiling is popcorn finish.

2) Do you mean I should sand each coat of Primer, or once after the second coat?

Priming a ceiling MAY be unnecessary.

1) If the existing popcorn has been painted previously (AFTER the initial spray-up), you don't need to prime.
>>> I'll defer to the painters for those 2 ceiling paints. I haven't used those.

2) IMO...just one sanding after the 2nd coat has dried a day. GET ALL the dust out of room though b4 painting!

Faron

The 258 is cheaper and works well.