Parront Dilemma - Painting without killing the fids!

[Giggleagain]

My youngest son has left the nest and now I can incorporate his room into my "shades of white with accents" house. I swear that room looked like part of a slaughter house. He insisted on blood red (dark blood) walls and we came to a compromise, settling on 2 red walls. While painting, I simultaneously dreaded the day I would have to paint over them, and looked forward to being able to return them to their boring, off-white shade Back then I wasn't a parront, just a parent.

I'm a parront now, and I just know I can't prime those walls without killing both the fids as well as myself. Is there some kind of a trick (rigging-it) I can use to paint those walls something OTHER than pink? I've thought of paintable wallpaper, but nothing else comes to mind.

Any ideas?

 

[Ann333]

My mom has been painting her house and she moves her bird cages outside under a covered porch while she paints and uses fans to air out the house.

 

[Allee]

Are you asking how to cover the blood red walls so that it doesn't bleed through when you paint them a lighter color?

 

[Giggleagain]

Are you asking how to cover the blood red walls so that it doesn't bleed through when you paint them a lighter color?

Yes Allee! I need to know how to do it SAFELY, without having to prime the walls. I have 7 birds in the house. Taking them all out on the deck isn't an option because these primers take several days, if not weeks, to stop emitting toxic fumes.

 

[Dinosrawr]

Have you considered using a zero-VOC and low odour primer and paint? Toxic fumes are only released as the paint dries, and once dry the "smell" or "odour" may remain, but it is no longer toxic. If you can use those (ex. http://t.homedepot.com/p/Zinsser-Bu...ior-Primer-and-Sealer-2-Pack-249020/204359670), then use fans and open windows to air out the rooms while keeping the birds on the other side of the house with appropriate circulation, it should be safe and should not require major adjustments.

 

[Giggleagain]

Have you considered using a zero-VOC and low odour primer and paint? Toxic fumes are only released as the paint dries, and once dry the "smell" or "odour" may remain, but it is no longer toxic. If you can use those (ex. Zinsser, Bulls Eye 1-gal. Zero White Water Based Interior/Exterior Primer and Sealer (2-Pack), 249020 at The Home Depot - Tablet), then use fans and open windows to air out the rooms while keeping the birds on the other side of the house with appropriate circulation, it should be safe and should not require major adjustments.

I will check that out! Thank you for the advice!

 

[Allee]

If you can find a primer that is bird safe like Chantal suggested, I have a suggestion to cover the dark paint. Have the person that mixes your paint add a bit of black and mix it for you, when the gray primer is fully dry, one coat should be enough. The same trick also works under pale colors so the top color dries to the exact color of your sample.