How to Paint Wood Paneling

Don’t just deal with dated wood paneling. If you’re not ready for the task of taking it down, lighten it up – with paint! Follow our guide and you’ll be looking at paneling you love in no time. Here’s how to paint wood paneling.

Dark and dated paneling can bring the whole mojo of a room down. It’s tempting to hide the dingy walls behind drywall. Inevitably, you’ll end up with incurred costs and you’ll have to paint anyway. If your paneling is still in decent condition, try painting it first as a less expensive project.

Paneling is typically put up as a solid or veneer. Either way is easy enough to paint. It’s a similar process to painting an old bookshelf or chest of drawers.

Clean

You’ll need to remove any lingering dust, dirt or fingerprints from the paneling before you begin. Mix a solution of trisodium phosphate with water. You’ll want to wear protective gloves and glasses to clean. Use a sponge to wipe down the walls. Make sure the room is well ventilated.

Sand

Next you’ll need to scuff sand the walls. Paint can’t adhere to a slick surface. Use a 220-grit sandpaper in circular motions. This gives the primer a chance to create a good bond.

Most primers today are good enough to skip the sanding, but it’s an extra insurance policy that takes thirty minutes. Use a dust mask to avoid getting it in your lungs. Use a vacuum and a damp rag to clean up the mess.

Protect

Use plastic sheets and painter’s tape to protect your floors while painting the wall. Rollers are known to throw paint a bit of distance. Tape off molding and trim you don’t want painted.

Prime

Because you’re painting over veneer or paneling, you’ll want to apply the primer in two thin coats. This will help cover imperfections, wood grain, and knots from showing through the wood.

When choosing your primer, you’ll have to look at what you’re painting on. For a solid wood, water-based products are best. If you are painting a veneer, you’ll want a shellac-based primer. Either way, you will want a primer that boasts stain-blocking.

Use a 2-inch quality angle brush to cut in the corners of your wall. Keep it handy for drips. Change over to a roller to finish the job. If you are wanting a less textured look, try a foam roller, which produces less pull in the paint. Follow instructions on your primer for how long to wait between coats.

Paint

Once you have allowed your primer sufficient dry time, follow the same method as you did with priming. Cut in your corners with the paint brush and switch to the roller. Pay attention to the grooves in the panel and anywhere paint is pooling and could get too thick. Wipe excess away.