How to Give a Double Wide a Drywall Look

Painting paneled walls can brighten a room.

Many older mobile homes used paneling instead of drywall for the interior wall materials. Sometimes the paneling was wood veneer paneling, which creates dark interiors. You can change the color and texture of the paneled walls by filling in the grooves in the paneling, priming and using textured finish paint to create the look of drywall. It's a relatively easy process, although it may take some time to complete all the steps involved in altering the appearance of wall paneling.

Things You'll Need

• Wood putty
• Putty knife
• Sander or sandpaper
• Rags
• Water
• Household cleaner
• Drop cloths
• Masking tape
• Texture powder
• Primer
• Stirring stick
• Paintbrushes and looped roller
• Paint roller
• Finish paint

Instructions

Preparing the Walls

1. Lay a tarp or an old sheet over the flooring.

2. Seal the grooves typically found on wood paneling with wood putty or plastic wood. Use a putty knife and remove the excess as you apply the putty. Sand with sandpaper to smooth any rough spots once the putty dries.

3. Wash the walls using a rag or a sponge mop and a bucket filled with water. Use a household cleaner to remove any grime or dust from the walls.

Paint the Walls

1. Purchase a primer and paint manufactured for the kind of paneling you have. Not all paints stick to vinyl paneling. You may need to use sandpaper to scuff the vinyl paneling before applying the primer. If your paneling is a wood veneer, choose any primer.

2. Remove all the faceplates from the walls. Tape off the door and window trim as well as the border around the ceiling to avoid dabbing paint on other surfaces.

3. Add the texture powder to the primer and mix thoroughly. Prime the walls, cutting in the corners and edges along the floor and ceiling first, then using a roller for the walls. Keep a wet rag handy to wipe up any spills or drips.

4. Let the primer dry for the amount of time required by the texture powder manufacturer. Adding texture increases the amount of time it takes for primer to dry.

5. Paint the walls with the finish coat once the primer is dry and has cured.

6. Remove the tarp and masking tape after the paint dries. Replace the fixture faceplates.

Tips & Warnings

• As the texture primer dries, you can experiment with different finishes by using sponges or trowels to alter the finish.

References

• HGTV; Tips for Painting Paneling; Matt Fox