How to Paint That Paneling on Your Walls

Painting tired old wood paneling to give your room an inexpensive makeover.

Paneling is typically dark and can even darken with age. Dirt and oil, along with daily wear and tear, can make the walls appear worn and ragged as well as outdated. Give old paneling a facelift with a coat of paint instead of replacing it. To avoid ruining your hard work with peeling and chipping, properly clean and prepare the paneling for the paint.

Things You'll Need

• Wood filler
• Putty knife
• Fine grit sandpaper
• Hand sander
• Sponge
• Primer
• Paint
• Rollers
• Paintbrushes

Instructions

1. Patch cracks and holes by applying wood filler with a putty knife. Apply only what you need to fill the cracks and holes, and scrape away the excess.

2. Leave the wood filler to dry completely and then sand the patched areas with 220-grit sandpaper when it dries to give a smooth surface.

3. Sand the finish from the surface of the paneling using a small hand sander with fine grit sandpaper; 220-grit is sufficient in most cases. The shiny finish on most paneling is a poor painting surface and, if left, results in chipped and peeling paint later.

4. Wash the walls with soapy water to remove sanding debris, oil and dirt.

5. Rinse away the soap residue by going over the walls once with water and a clean sponge.

6. Let the wood dry thoroughly. This may take several hours.

7. Roll on two coats of oil-based primer, allowing the first coat to dry before applying the second coat. Primer is necessary to cover dark woods and prevent knots or dark stains in the wood from bleeding through the paint.

8. Cut in the wall edges with the primer and fill in the grooves in the paneling using an angled brush. If using oil-based primer, use an oil paint for your topcoat; latex does not adhere to an oil base.

9. Apply at least two coats of paint using a roller, allowing the paint to dry between coats. Cut in the edges and grooves with a brush to ensure even coverage.

Tips & Warnings

• If you don't like the look of the grooved paneling, fill with wood putty or joint compound, as you would with cracks and holes, and sand smooth before painting.

• Read the label before you purchase your primer to ensure that it is designed to cover wood. You may also find latex paints that cover wood surfaces.

• Do not use steel wool to sand the finish off the paneling. Steel wool can gouge the surface of the wood and leave behind small fibers that can rust when in contact with moisture; this can bleed through the paint.

References

• Millennial Living; Updating a Room That Has Wood Paneling; March 2007
• Graham Paint: How to Refinish Paneling