- Taking wood paneling down to redecorate a room can be a long and arduous process. Instead, consider painting over the laminate wall veering. With proper preparation, a laminate wood paneled wall will take paint and cover old, dated faux wood. Consider the condition of the current paneling before you begin to prepare laminate wood for painting. Make sure that all the panels are firmly in place. Pull off any loose panels and clean the surface of the wall before replacing each piece with glue or nails. Use the same wood to provide a consistent surface for painting. If the panel is irreplaceable because of mold or breakage, replace with a new piece of panel to maintain the level of the wall surface.
- Lightly sand any loose pieces of laminate off the wall. Sand over bubbles or other imperfections in the laminate. Use a number 120 sandpaper or higher to avoid gouging. Once wall surface is smooth from loose strands, clean the surface. Use a strong liquid cleaner, such as Tilex to make sure that any mold or other deep stains are removed. Don't worry about any discoloration--the primer and paint will cover that. The main concern is to avoid mold from seeping through the paint. Wipe the laminate surface with a clean sponge and clear water to remove any residue. Dry the wall with a clean rag and allow the wall to dry completely for at least 24 hours.
- Look for a water-based primer, such as the Bulls Eye 1-2-3 Primer by Zinsser. In addition to preparing the wall for good adhesion of the paint, this primer protects against mold and mildew. It inhibits bleed from the surface underneath. Cover the floor and any surrounding furniture with a drop cloth or plastic to avoid splatter. Primer can be rolled onto the wall using a roller that is thick and fluffy to hold heavy amounts of primer. Use even strokes with the roller and do not spread the paint too thin. Apply the primer on the top and bottom edges of the wall with a brush. Allow primer to dry completely. If any wood laminate is showing through the primer after it is dry, apply a second coat before painting. If painting the wall with a color other than white, have the primer mixed with the same color as the paint. Purchase the primer at the same time as buying the paint and ask that they be matched when mixed. This will save coats of paint to cover the primer. Once the primer is complete, begin painting the wall.
