Last Updated on December 29, 2025 by Stewart
When it comes to covering up stains on painted walls, it can be a real challenge to pick out the best stain block paint. There are so many on the market that it has really become a minefield in picking up the one for your needs. I’ve tried numerous stain blocks to assess which ones are the best and have listed them below.
Please note that apart from the Polar Damp Seal mentioned below, the other paints on this list are not suitable to act as a damp seal and instead you will need a different paint for that.
Polar Damp Seal Paint
Polar make various kinds of stain blocking paint, but my favourite is the Damp Seal variant. This works extremely well when it comes blocking out a wide variety of stains. These range from nicotine all the way to smoke and crayon.
However, it also works against water marks and also mould. It has special properties within in that acts as a damp proof seal against water and mould, in addition to its other stain blocking properties.
It is a matt white paint, and I found it very easy to apply. In addition to this, the stains never returned, which is exactly the kind of performance that you would be wanting! Due to it not being water based, it also creates a sturdier barrier, meaning that the stain you’ve covered it is much less likely to come back.
It does take a while to dry, with a second coat being required after 24 hours. Another thing to consider is the smell from this. It’s quite a pungent smell, and I would strongly recommend that you have the windows fully opened when doing this. I found it easy to apply using a brush, however you can also use a roller with this.
I also like that it can be applied to plasterboard, wood and also concrete. It’s a wide array of surfaces and it’s also modestly priced. The benefit of using this with the damp seal in it is that if you have an environment that is prone to a lot of moisture, such as a kitchen, bathroom or even above a window, this will prevent it from coming back.
It is also available in a spray can, but if you’re worried about overspray, I would recommend the tin of the paint instead.
- DAMP & STAIN BLOCK IN TWO COATS: Our Damp Seal paint is formulated to seal out damp and stubborn stains in just two coats, creating a durable barrier against moisture on interior walls and ceilings. Ideal as damp seal paint for internal walls, our formula helps protect bathrooms, kitchens and other high-condensation areas while holding back mould and mildew.
Last update on 2026-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Polycell One Coat Stain Stop
I really like One Coat Stain Stop from Polycell. They are a well known brand that has spent a lot of time and money investing in the very best of products.
This will not act as a damp seal block, so if you’re worried about moisture in the area, this isn’t the one for you.
In terms of application, you can use a roller or a brush for this. It is an oil based paint, which does give it a thicker consistency. However, this is required for it to properly bind to the paint and also penetrate into the stain and prevent it from re-appearing.
When I tested this out, I did not need to re-apply it to get a great, uniform result, so it does hold it up to its one coat name. In addition to this, it didn’t smell as bad as the Polar Damp Seal. The drying time is up to 3 hours, which is also pretty good. The white finish from it was also really good, and I was able to paint over it with another colour afterwards without issue.
It can be used on plasterboard, wood, and stone, masonry and also concrete, so pretty much and surface you can think of that would be prone to staining.
- Highly pigmented paint permanently prevents stains reappearing
Last update on 2026-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
Zinsser Cover Stain
Zinsser have a variety of paints and stain blocks in their range, but I decided to opt for their Cover Stain.
It is an oil based paint, so with that in mind, it does have a thick consistency to it. However, if you take your time with a brush, or a roller, you will get an excellent finish which can then be left as is. It has been suggested that this can also be used with a paint sprayer. However, due to the thickness of this, you would need to mix it down to prevent it from clogging up the nozzle.
However, you can also paint over it with a different colour. When carrying out my testing, I left one test area that was water stained with just the Cover Stain on it. It did not re-appear.
I used another test area and put a colour paint on this, and it also didn’t re-appear. I have heard of some stain blocking paints failing after a colour top coat has been added onto it. I’m glad that this wasn’t the case with Cover Stain.
It can be used on plaster, as well as on wood (both internal and external). I also like that it is re-coatable after 2 hours. The benefit of this is that you can get on with carrying out your other DIY tasks. It does have a bit of a stink to it as well, so of course, make sure that the windows are fully opened when using this.
Last update on 2026-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.