How to Make Old Dark Wood Paneling Look Better

Paint old dark wood paneling

Old dark wood paneling can make your house feel like it is stuck in a time warp. Dark paneling makes your home feel darker and smaller. Painting old dark wood paneling will brighten your room. Painting also eliminates the need to replace the paneling with drywall. For under $100 and with just a few hours of your time you can make old wood paneling look better.

Things You'll Need

• Wood putty
• Putty knife
• Sandpaper
• Damp cloth
• Oil-based primer
• Paint roller
• Paintbrush
• Latex paint

Instructions

1. Apply wood putty to nail holes or large cracks in the paneling. Scoop a small amount of putty onto a putty knife and swipe the knife over the nail holes. The putty knife should squish the putty into the holes and smooth the surface of the paneling. Allow the wood putty to dry completely.

2. Lightly sand the dark wood paneling with fine grit sandpaper. This will help to remove the glossy finish from the paneling.

3. Wipe the old paneling with a damp cloth. This will remove the sanding dust and any dirt or debris from the dark wood paneling.

4. Apply oil-based painting primer to the dark wood paneling using a paint roller. Use a paintbrush to fill in the crevices between the panels or in the corners. Let the primer dry per manufacturer directions.

5. Paint the old dark wood paneling with a paint roller and paintbrush. Apply one very thin coat of latex paint to the paneling. Once the first coat has dried, apply a second thin coat of latex paint. Allow the second coat of paint to dry completely before use.

References

• Young House Love: How to Paint Wood Paneling
• Danny Lipford: How to Paint Paneling