Coatings are an integral component of fire restoration, most crucially to prevent the recurrence of smoke odor. Coatings implemented post-fire are not finish paints, but can serve as primers while blocking stains and adhering to less-than-ideal surfaces. Those functions are valuable and fire-relevant, but alone insufficient. Fire damage sealers must primarily inhibit the release of fire-related odors days, weeks, months, and even years into the future. That performance is impossible for pedestrian primers.

Do you really need to know this much about “paint” to succeed at fire damage? Yes and no. The aim here is to help professionals ask the right questions, and who to call for accurate information. There is a confluence of confusion. New technology is rising up and forcing change to established practices. Education from oral tradition is graduating into eagerly-anticipated guidelines, standards, and certifications. Fragmentary regulation is inevitable, and like mold/lead/asbestos, there is talk of licensing. Contractors, large-loss consultants, and training providers struggle continually to incorporate innovation and consistency.