Should I prime over wood paneling before painting it?

Answer 1

I painted over my wood paneling and it looks so much better and brighter but before I painted I washed it down with TSP (found in Wal-Mart paint section) then primed with Kilz. Then I painted and like it looks very good. Some people would tell you that if you prime you need not wash with the TSP but after painting many homes I think you will get a better final paint job if you do this.
Hope this helps..

Answer 2

Yes you should. First, though, make sure the paneling is clean. Many people over time use cleaners and polishes to maintain the lustre of the finish on paneling. These can cause adhesion problems with coatings. TSP or Dirtex Powder are great prepaint cleaners. Use a top quality water based primer labelled for paneling. Porter Paints Blankit, Zinsser Bull's Eye 1-2-3, or Sherwin-Williams Prep Rite Pro-Block are some excellent choices. If your paneling is very dark and you want to go to a much lighter color, you may have your primer tinted toward the final color. This will assist in covering and hiding the paneling, and will make the paint closer to the true color after the second coat. I would also lightly sand the primer before painting. It will make the paint finish more uniform giving it a more regal appearance.

Answer 3

You would be wise to use a very high grade Acrylic Latex Primer Sealer Stain Blocker. This way your paneling will be ready to put your topcoat on after approx. 2 - 4 hours dry time.

Using an Acrylic Latex Primer will hide more and you won't have the strong odors associated with Alkyd Oil-based primers.

Depending on where your Paneling is located in your home, you may want to consider going to a Satin or Low Luster Sheen so that you have some washability in the future.

If you use too high a sheen it will reflect the light and it will exaggerate the flaws in the paneling or wall.

Always allow enough dry time in between each coat of paint ( whether it's primer or topcoat) and remember your dry times on the side of the paint can are usually at 50% humidity and 68 -72 F room temperature.

Happy Painting !!!

Answer 4

Over time, the wood may cup (become warped or bowed), the oils in the wood can bleed through and discolor the painted surface, the painting will fade irregularly as the paint is absorbed by the porous wood surface etc. It also takes more paint to end up with the exact color you want on a surface that already has it's own color. Those are just some of the reasons to prepare your surface with gesso first. Since you haven't done that, the best you can do is to seal it with varnish when you're through and hope for the best. Next time, realize that if you don't value your art by taking the time to create it correctly, then no one else will value it either.

Answer 5

Mickey,

yes, you must prime the paneling.

i always use BIN-Shellac-Base Primer-Sealer.

it keeps the tannins in the wood paneling from bleeding through your top coat.

it stinks, so have decent ventilation or use a room fan.

it dries very quickly.

you will need some household AMMONIA to clean your hands, drips and brushes.

i paint a lot of paneling. this one always does the job.

costs about $18 a gallon.

you can get it at Home Depot, Lowes or Menards. it's on sale often.

Answer 6

Yes, you should always prime before painting.
That being said, I've seen some nice work done by thinning the paint and doing a "wash" over the panelling.

Answer 7

Yes, you'll get better results. When I painted paneling, I used Kilz, a primer-sealer that has excellent adhesion. Another similar primer-sealer is made by Zinsser. You need a high=adhesion primer because paneling usually has a very smooth surface with some gloss to it.

Answer 8

Yes, use oil based kilz, its about $50 for a 5 gallon bucket at home depot. Either prime or use more expensive paint. Im a professional painter.

Answer 9

Thank you, I will prime

Answer 10

you should definately prime it. I would suggest a LATEX Primer sealer. the suggestions to use oil are crazy. you don't need to use oil, it will smell VERY bad, and is very messy to work with. kilz2 is a latex primer, or bull's eye 123, or Benjamin Moore Fresh Start all purpose primer. it is a latex primer that will stick to anything.
http://www.benjaminmoore.com