How to paint over paneling?

Question

I'm buying a house that has paneling up in the living and dining area. How do I paint over it? I think it is outdated and ugly!

Answer 1

What You Need:

Powdered wall cleaner
Sandpaper and sanding block
Liquid sandpaper (optional)
Tack cloth
Shellac or clear lacquer (optional, to seal knots)
Paintbrushes
Alkyd or stain-blocking primer
Latex paint

Painting directly over the paneling is your easiest option – follow these steps.
If necessary, use finish nails to tack down uneven seams.

Wash it down with a grease-cutting detergent or TSP.

Prime with a good bonding primer.

Caulk gaps and seams, and fill and sand holes. If the paneling has a grain texture, use your finger to fill little holes so you don’t create big flat spots.

Finish with two coats of good latex paint. I suggest flat paint, because the flatter the finish, the less irregularities will show. Most good paint companies now carry excellent washable flat paint.

Answer 2

If paneling has a sheen to it lightly sand it. Use a very good primer, I recommend Bin Shellac primer avail at big box retailers like Home Depot. Then paint. I know someone who even filled in the little grooves with joint compound. Mine were not very deep to do this plus this is an extreme amount of work. So sand, prime, then paint. In that order . GOOD LUCK

Answer 3

I painted over mines too. Just prime the walls first, the paneling will soak up a lot of paint. Then paint as if it were any other kind of wall. If the paneling has lines, you can get real techniqual and spackle them.
good luck!

Answer 4

Use a primer first, then you should be able to paint over. That is what my mom did in her house. You also might want to make sure you that you use some sandpaper on it if it is rough.

Answer 5

Paint it with a Kilz primer first, then roll it with whatever color paint you want after.

Answer 6

Use a stainblocker/sealer primer first..Kilz,BIN or the Gripper..Then paint