How to Paint That Paneling On Your Walls

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By Chrisparker
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Paneled walls

When buying an older house you often times find old wood paneling sheets covering the walls. I will tell you how to create a beautiful painted paneling surface that your friends will envy.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Paint tools w/3/8" nap roller
Scraper pr 5-n-1 tool
Drop cloths
household cleaner/degreaser
Quality oil based primer
Mineral spirits
Quality exterior paint
Masking tape
Spackling paste
Fine sanding sponge

Step 1

Before paint

In order to paint paneled walls we must ensure they are extremely clean of all grease and debris. We do this with a good household cleaner and degreaser. We also, like prepping any other wall, want to pull any nails, hangers, blinds, drapes, and pictures. If you find any rough spots or leave any open holes smear spackling paste smoothly over them and when dry, sand smooth with sanding sponge.
Step 2

After paint

After this is accomplished we need to mask all ceiling edges, window trim, baseboards, or flooring. Move furniture to center of room and place drop cloths on floors around walls to be painted.
Step 3

Prep-n-prime

It is very important that we use a quality exterior paint and oil based primer on paneling. I prefer and suggest going to your local Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore paint store. There will be professionals there to help you pick. They can also tint your primer to best help your paint cover.
Step 4

Another before picture

Now it's time to get down and dirty. Get your primer, roller, and paint pan ready. Make sure Primer is mixed well before adding to pan. Using a good quality 3/8" nap roller start rolling on the walls, I like to make one up and down stroke followed by a crossing diagonal stroke until walls are covered. Do not be afraid to put plenty of paint or primer on roller, fill it up. If you have a run keep rolling until roller is about ready to be reloaded and go back over run wit a upwards stroke. Now lets let this tack up and dry. Take mineral spirits and thoroughly clean pan, roller, and equipment.
Step 5

Look how beautiful when finished

Now that we are very sure Primer is dry. Let's follow step 4 with our paint. It may take two or three coats due to the dark nature of the paneling so be sure to let paint dry thoroughly between coats and account for this when purchasing. Paint pro should be able to help with this if you give him the square footage you plan to paint.