How to Cover Up Mildew on Studs With KILZ

Written By
Faith McGee
Faith McGee
Published: Nov 29, 2009
Updated: Nov 20, 2021
1 minute read
  1. Remove all plants and vegetation from the area. Make sure any nearby windows are closed.

  2. Mix up 50 percent water and 50 percent bleach. Pour mixture in a spray bottle. Spray wooden studs and scrub with a sponge.

  3. Rinse the area with water. Remove any left over soap scum with a soap scum remover like Clorox Tilex or Scrubbing Bubbles Soap Scum Remover.

  4. Place a fan in front of the wet studs or allow the wood to dry naturally. If you are cleaning in the winter, it is best to begin the project in the morning to give your studs time to dry. Make sure the area is completely dry before priming with KILZ.

  5. Lay drop clothes on the floor under the studs. Pour a fourth of your KILZ 2 Latex primer into a paint tray. Dip paint brush and paint in smooth even strokes. Allow for the paint to dry for at least one hour before repainting the entire surface again.

  6. Smooth any rough dried paint with sand paper. Apply a paint that has been treated with a mildew-cide from your local hardware supply store.

References

Tips

You can thin your KILZ latex primer with 10 percent water per gallon. Make sure that it is properly mixed before applying.

Warnings

Be sure to wear a mask and gloves to protect yourself from the mildew and bleach.

Faith McGee

Faith McGee has eight years experience conceptualizing and producing print and web content for a myriad of real estate conglomerates. She has a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from California College of the Arts. McGee has…

Sponsored
HomeSteady Logo

HomeSteady is the ultimate guide for all your household needs, from cleaning and HVAC to electrical, DIY and maintenance.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.