How to Refinish Wood Paneling Walls

Coat stained wood paneling walls with oil-based primer.

If you would like to refinish wood paneling walls, you should employ specific preparation and application techniques, depending on your final plans for the paneling. If you want to stain the walls, you will need to remove varnish or wood sealant, prior to application, or you will have problems with absorption. If you plan to paint the paneling, you must condition the surface with the appropriate type of primer, or you will ultimately end up with flaking and peeling.

Things You'll Need

• 120-grit sandpaper
• Professional painter's tape
• Heavy-duty fabric drop cloths
• Oil-based primer
• Roller frame
• 2 nap roller covers
• Roller extension pole
• 3- to 4-inch oil paintbrush
• latex primer
• 3- to 4-inch latex paintbrush
• Satin or semi-gloss latex paint
• Oil-based stain
• Plastic drop cloths

Instructions

Painting

1. Remove any varnish or wood sealant from the wood paneling walls using sandpaper. Sand along with the wood grain until the finish appears dull. Skip this step if the paneling is unvarnished.

2. Cover areas adjacent to the wood paneling walls with painter's tape. Cover the floor beneath the wood paneling with heavy-duty drop cloths.

3. Coat stained wood paneling walls with oil-based primer using a roller stocked with a nap cover. Attach the roller to an extension pole to ease the process. Use a paintbrush manufactured for use with oil coatings to smooth the wet primer. Wait three hours for the primer to dry.

4. Wash the painting tools with mineral spirits.

5. Coat primed wood paneling walls with satin or semi-gloss latex paint using a roller stocked with a new nap cover. Use a paintbrush manufactured for use with water-based coatings to smooth the wet paint. Wait two hours for the paint to dry.

Staining

1. Remove any varnish or wood sealant from the wood paneling walls using sandpaper. Sand along with the wood grain until the finish appears dull. Skip this step if the paneling is unvarnished.

2. Cover areas adjacent to the wood paneling walls with painter's tape. Cover the floor beneath the wood paneling with plastic drop cloths. Place fabric drop cloths on top of the plastic ones.

3. Apply oil-based stain to the wood paneling walls using a paintbrush manufactured for use with oil coatings. Wait 2 hours. Apply another coat for darker results.

Tips & Warnings

• Read the labeling to ensure that the oil-based primer you select is formulated for compatibility with water-based latex paints.

• Use a latex primer on unfinished wood paneling. Apply the primer using a paintbrush manufactured for use with water-based coatings.

• Do not apply stain or primer directly over varnish, or the finish will flake.

• Never paint a bare wood paneling wall, or the paint will peel.

Resources

• Popular Mechanics: 5 Pro Painting Tips Every Amateur Should Know