I'm painting over dark paneling, should I apply primer first before I fill in the holes and groves or reverse?

Question

I plan on deglossing first but I've been told to primer first so the joint compound will hold better. I then will apply a texture paint and then paint one more time with the final color. Does it matter if I prime first or fill holes and paneling groves first?

Some of you have mentioned how disastisfied you are with painting the paneling. But no one has mentioned using texture over the paneling? I was at Home Depot and they have a white BEHR texutred paint (smooth or sand) the looks outstanding when it's applied with a roller. Has anyone used this product before?

Answer 1

This is the absolute best way to do it:
Fill in your grooves with joint compound.
Let it dry then get a wet rag and wipe away excess.
Buy a gallon of "Zinsser" Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer. It seals the paneling and primes it. It will help your paint stick.
After priming, wait at least a day then apply your paint!
No need to degloss at all.

Answer 2

I recommend fill the holes and groves before you prime. Go with a high quality primer (Zinsser 123), it may be more expensive but it will save you in the long run with the number of coats that you will need and you will not have to degloss. The only problem with this process is that your fill may take in more primer than the paneling which will leave a stripe effect if you do not catch it before painting.
However after filing and painting the paneling in one large room I ripped the paneling off in the other which had drywall underneath. I am much happier with the outcome.

Answer 3

Whatever you do, DO NOT USE toothpaste!!! A lot of people will tell you to use spackle and then sand before painting. However, I've found that this is often not the case and the holes are loose and flaking (spackle is hard to work with too!)... The best possible hole filler is joint compound. You can purchase this ready-made from most any home store in most any sized container at a cheap price (way >$10). If your holes are really small, just push some of the compound in the hole and gently wipe off with a wet rag (you can wipe off when wet or you can wait and wipe off when dry). If the holes are bigger, you will want to wait until dry before wiping (you may need additional coats as it will shrink in big holes). If really big holes, you will want to sand between coats until you get the finish you want. When filled and dry, go ahead and paint. Joint compound is like a glue so loose edges will hold together well for finishing...

Answer 4

Oh god, no. Dont paint over the paneling. If you want your wall to look normal, you're going to have to remove the paneling first, and if its not there, put up drywall, then add texture, and 2 or 3 coats of paint. If you paint over the paneling, I'm telling you, you will regret it in the long run. If you are really insist on painting over the paneling, you dont have to spackle over the grooves, unless you want them gone, in which case yeah, use joint compound spread with a 2 or 3" putty knife/spreader. Since its paneling, just primer and paint. But I'm telling you, you'd be better off to get rid of the paneling, put up drywall and paint over that.

Answer 5

If you fill the holes first, then paint in the groves, then the primer can go on, this should see that it is all covered this way. You will probably need two coats of paint to cover the surface effectively.

Answer 6

don't do it! take the time and remove the paneling - my whole house was dark "walnut" stained paneling from the 1970's - I filled every crack and crevice with compound - sanded the walls and primed and then painted 2 coats - all that work and guess what? they still look like painted paneling - it's much easier to remove the paneling once and for all - then fill the joints with drywall mud and sand YOU WILL BE MUCH HAPPIER!!!

Answer 7

You should fill the holes then prime and then check to see if more filling is required, and sanding. and then apply another coat of primer

Answer 8

IVE BEEN THERE DONE THAT
YOU NEED TO FILL AND PRIME BEFORE PAINTING
CHOOSE A WHITE INEXPENSIVE PAINT BECAUSE IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL COATS - LET IT DRY REALLY GOOD AND
APPLY THE ROOM COLOR

Answer 9

fill the holes first,then prime!