Painting over mold is tricky! So here we try to answer, what is the best mold-killing paint? Does KILZ do away with mold mildew? If so, where to get it?
One of the last tasks to tackle a DIY home project is painting. It seems like a straightforward process.
You pick color options, lay down some plastic, and slap on a coat of paint over mold. Sounds simple, right?
You applied three coats of paint, and it keeps showing through. If you are running out of options, now it is time to try a different approach.
But what do you do if a corner of the white wall has that ominous black mold stain that will not cover-up?
Please note, at any time, you can scroll down to the bottom of this article and see a list of items that are mentioned in this post. Click “View Products” to jump to the section now. And now, let’s get started!
Table of Contents
- Painting Over Mold
- Mold Killing Paint
- KILZ Mold Paint
- FAQ
- Tips Before Buying
- View Products
- Conclusion
Painting Over Mold
Like spraying mold with bleach, painting over mold will only annoy the colony and cause it to change color.
Most beginner DIY improvers do not realize that mold itself can not be covered up with new paint.
Active mold can grow right through paint and become a recurring problem. So, how do we finish this painting project?
You may be tempted to run out to your local store and look for mold-killing paint, but we are going to save you some legwork.
First and foremost, you must determine the cause of the unsightly mold growth and remedy the existing issues.
It may be a leaky roof, dripping pipe, or high humidity, over-accumulation of steam in an unvented bathroom.
Whatever the cause, unless it is addressed, mold will continue to be a problem long after the paint has dried.
Mold Killing Paint
After the cause of the mold is taken care of, we still have the remaining bacteria and any other fungal growths to deal with.
If removing and replacing the affected section of the wall or ceiling is not an option, the existing mold will have to be killed.
There are many different schools of thought on getting rid of mold, with equal parts of water and bleach, vinegar, borax, etc.
According to some sources, Bleach will cause the mold to pick up its spoors and migrate to a less toxic environment, where it will put down roots and continue to grow.
Do a little research and choose the method that most appeals to you. Then, you can read our article:
There are chemical agents and home remedies to try, but there is no old killing paint’ or old killing primer.’
When dealing with porous surfaces with mold growth, you must be careful not to spread the mold spores.
Sanding is not recommended, as the dust/spoor mix can carry around the room and be introduced into the air conditioning vents.
Sanding can also contribute to mold quickly spreading to other areas of the home—bathrooms primarily via the vents.
Not to mention the real danger of inhaling the spoors and making yourself ill. Wear a good dust mask throughout the process.
Also, avoid soaking the area with too much liquid cleaner or water. The outer layer of the drywall can become saturated, and the moisture can help tear, creating more work later.
If you use a liquid mold-killing product, spray lightly or blot with a sponge and let dry. We have written an article on this, and you can read it here: How to clean mold off bathroom ceiling.
KILZ Mold Paint
The online stores have a wide selection of mold-resistant paint and primer for home projects.
From the garage floor to upstairs and everywhere in between.
Since its introduction in 1974, KILZ has been a wildly popular product.
The family of stain-blocking treatments reaches into nearly all areas of surface preparation—even more porous surfaces.
Drywall, concrete, and even worn-out old wooden decks can benefit from applying the correct product.
Though the name itself is misleading, KILZ paint and primers do not actually ‘kill’ mold. But it will prevent mold.
The brand does well to kill a stain’s ability to show through the final coat of paint by sealing over the stained surface with an impermeable interior barrier.
This traps the agents, causing discoloration, preventing them from migrating to the exterior of the surface.
Video
If your walls do not need the benefits of a specialty stain-hiding primer, KILZ Tribute, a Paint And Primer In One product in an awesome range of colors.
After the area is cleaned and dry, it is time to apply a stain block primer, like KILZ-2 All-Purpose Multi-Surface Sealer & Stain Blocker.
It is important to note that nowhere on the label or anywhere on their website states that the product will eradicate mold.
It contains an EPA-based registered mildewcide that will prevent mold growth on the surface of the primer.
Also great over wood, including when dealing with rust.
The purpose of a primer is to prepare the contact surface for the color layer covering of paint.
Stains like crayon marks, left-over mold and mildew blemishes (after cleaning), water-based splotches, smoke smudge, and blood can all be covered with a good primer.
It will help you on all levels.
This will prevent the stain from leading’ through to the finish coat. Giving you some control.
If a surface is not primed correctly, regular paint may not adhere properly and allow blemish to return over time.
Another function of the Primer is to fill in small imperfections in the surface of the area to be painted, resulting in a cleaner, smoother finish.
These small imperfections can also trap dirt and moisture, possibly resulting in future mold and mildew growth.
FAQ
Does KILZ Kill Mold?
The short answer is no. No reputable company that manufactures spray-on or roll-on paint coverings can make that statement. Mold-killing primer (or paint) doesn’t exist.
A paint can color or prime a wall, and a cleaner with an EPA registered antimicrobial can kill the mold or odor-causing bacteria. But no product that we can find will do both with a high degree of success. However, KILZ Mold And Mildew Primer came the closest.
Is KILZ a good primer?
For almost 50 years, the KILZ brand has delivered a consistently solid line of products that professional painters and mold remediation companies have come to depend on.
Where to buy KILZ Paint and Primer?
Amazon carries KILZ Mold And Mildew Primer In one product in a fantastic range of colors. Here is a list of other retailers that sell KILZ primer for mold products (in alphabetical order): Amazon, Ace Hardware, Aubuchon Hardware, Do it Best, Home Depot, Lowe’s, McCoy’s Building Supply, McLendon Hardware, Sixt Lumber, Sutherlands, Tague Lumber, Truevalue, Walmart.
3 Tips Before Buying
- Make sure to get more paint and primer than you need. You don’t want to run out in the middle of your project when trying to paint over mold.
- Don’t use cheap stuff when you’re painting over challenging surfaces! KILZ has been making premium primers and paints for 40 plus years.
- Before painting, prepare all your tools like your brushes, rollers, painter’s tape, drop cloth to protect your floors and face masks. A face mask is a must, especially when you paint over mold. Don’t forget to pick out the proper clothes for your project.
View Products
KILZ For Mold
Products mentioned in this article.
Jump to Product:
- KILZ Premium Primer
- KILZ Mold And Mildew Primer (Our Pick)
- Best Mold Paint (Best Sellers)
- Liquid Mold Spray
1. KILZ Premium Primer
See it on Amazon
Features
- Stain blocking Water-based formula
- Good for humid areas
- Seals porous surfaces
- Prevents mold and mildew
- Good for color changes
Pros
- Thick paint does not drip easily
- Dries quickly and evenly
- It covers the darkest colors
Cons
- Because it’s thick, you should buy more than you need
- A bit stronger odor. Ventilate your work area
Stain blocking Water-based formula. KILZ Premium is a water-based formula that seals surfaces and hides stains. Its effective properties make it ideal for high-humidity areas, including bathrooms and laundry rooms. This powerful stain blocker hides imperfections and previous colors and offers excellent adhesion to most interior and exterior surfaces. KILZ Premium offers just the right consistency for a smooth and level finish that seals porous surfaces and fills in small imperfections. In addition, it features mildewcide protection to prevent mildew and mold. With excellent adhesion for most surfaces, use interior and exterior drywall, plaster, woodwork, paneling, masonry, and brick. Use to seal light to medium color changes.
2. KILZ Mold And Mildew Primer
See it on Amazon
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
3. Best Mold Paint
4. Liquid Mold Killer
Conclusion
Cleaning and repairing a surface that has been affected by mold is something that you can expect to run into.
Suppose you spend any amount of time doing improvements. Unfortunately, many products that claim to treat or cover up mold have come and gone.
For 50 years, KILZ has brought a reliable line of products. Any of the KILZ products are available to the DIY homeowner looking for a quality mold problem remedy. View products.
How to Remove Mold From Bathroom Ceiling in 4 Steps