What would be the best steps to take to paint over wood paneling?

Question

I live in a old house with losts of wood paneling what would be the best steps to take to get good cover from paint.

Answer 1

You might want to look at textured wallpaper. I've used it a couple of times to cover paneling with really good results.

If you just want to paint over the paneling though, you'll want to at least clean it to get the grease off (sanding is OK, but it's a huge mess) and prime it with a good quality primer.

Answer 2

Painting over paneling is a labor intensive process. You must wash the walls to remove dirt, dust and grime or nothing will stick to them. If your paneling has a finish, you need to sand it in order to roughen up the surface so the paint has something to grab on to. After you have sanded, wipe down with a tack cloth to remove all the wood dust, again, so the paint will adhere to the wall and not just to the dust and peel off. Apply a coat of Kilz or similar stain blocking product, one coat may be all you need but just go by how it looks after it dries. When choosing a finish coat, a flat finish would look best because anything with a gloss to it will show every imperfection in the paneling. Also make sure you get a good quality paint.

I will tell you something I did, when I lived in a paneled room in my parents' basement.... It was very time consuming but the results were stunning. I chose two complementary colors of paint, both light sage, but one so light it was almost white, and the other not much darker. I painted each panel alternating shades of the green, and used a q-tip to put a dark, rich looking hunter green in the grooves. It was beautiful!

Answer 3

There are two types of paneling. Each needs it's own prep work. I have both kinds in my house and painted 3 of the rooms just this past May. Use a good latex paint (get a little more than you think you need) and good rollers and brushes because all prepped paneling absorbs a lot of paint.

Real Wood Paneling, with no laminate finish - This just needs a real good cleaning with something like Mr Clean to remove any old dirt. Let it dry for a day before painting.

Paneling with a finish - You can tell if this is your type of paneling by trying to peel off a bit of the top layer in a hidden corner at a seam. If the top layer can be peeled/picked off then you will need to sand it off and then give it a good washing.

Answer 4

Sand lightly to scuff up the surface. Then put on 2 coats of stain blocking primer. "KILZ" is a good one. Then paint however you'd like. Without the sanding and priming the paint will peel and the finish from the paneling will bleed through and discolor the paint.

Answer 5

I just painted over mine. I wanted the lines that where on the paneling. So I went to Lowe's and they gave me a special primer so I didn't have to sand it. Them I picked the colors I wanted and painted.

Answer 6

Don't paint it!!!!! The latest trend is wood, and lots of it. If it is true wood panelling, you can lighten it up or brighten it up. To lighten it, you have to strip the old finish, they have the stuff that does it in the hardware store. To brighten it, rub on a coat of clear polyurethane gloss. I put a plastic bag over my hand, and an old sock over that, and dip my hand in the varnish. This allows me to control the thickness of the polyurethane coat, and get into all the cracks and crevices easily. If it is the fake old thin veneer stuff, you should first put a layer of primer on it, like Kiltz. It is available at your hardware store. It will stick to the stuff well, and allow you to paint over it with any paint you like easily, without drooping or not sticking in places. Good luck.

Answer 7

this is what we did...
sanded/wiped..
killz - 2 coats but before the second coat we also chaulked some of the seams - just depends on how old and worn your paneling is.

then 2 coats of paint - it did look really nice when we were done...

Answer 8

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Answer 9

its a pain, but make sure you sand down the wood surface so the paint would be able to bond to it, also oil-based paint would be better

Answer 10

prime first and apply two finish coats of paint, that should do it