Can i paint wood paneling

Need a painter? Click here to find a painting professional in your area! What's a good primer? We have wood paneling and brown carpet throughout the whole house. It's driving me insane. Hi Shannon! You want a primer that sticks really well. Painting your paneling is going to make such a huge difference in your home! Thanks so much for this! I don't want to tear it all out and replace with drywall, and I've been hoping that painting over it without sanding would be an option - reading your experience, and seeing your before and after pics gives me hope!

I'm so glad Patti! I have four VERY active kids, who are constantly scraping the walls with toys, furniture, etc. Hope you get the same results! Hi Lauren Love your site! I came to it after being on another site that recommended yours and was so surprised to see your photo there! Great visuals and great advice I'm still thinking of doing our fireplace Will recommend your site to others Hi Lennie!

It made my day to hear from you! I love that you found my site :. I'm sure you would do an amazing job on your fireplace - you've always been great with this kind of thing - but it definitely is messy. Miss you all too!

How to Paint Over Fake Wood Paneling Painting wood paneling is an easy and cost effective way to update a room with wood paneling. Frequently Asked Questions about Painting Wood Paneling Before we get into the actual how-to of painting wood paneling, check out these frequently asked questions.

Is wood paneling outdated? Can you paint paneling without sanding? You do not need to sand your paneling before you paint it. Do you have to prime paneling before painting? You need to prime your wood paneling before painting it. Find out how to paint wood paneling - the fastest and easiest way! Instructions Using a good quality primer, paint the primer on the wood paneling, ensuring it goes into the grooves of the paneling.

When the primer dries hours , paint the paneled area with a paint roller. If the paint goes into the grooves using only the roller, skip step 3. Paint the grooves with a paint brush. Edge the ceiling, baseboards and around doors and windows with a paintbrush for more information on how to edge with a paintbrush, check out this post on how to paint a room.

When the paint is dry hours , repeat steps for a second coat. If desired, lightly sand all of the paneling, along with trim and moldings, with grit sandpaper. The idea is to take off the sheen and create a lightly gritty surface so the paint will adhere. Try not to get carried away and sand too hard. When you're finished, wipe it down with a slightly damp cloth to remove all the dust.

Note: Sanding is optional and often is not necessary. Using a good primer that will stick to the old finish usually means you don't have to sand the wood. Just keep in mind that if the primer doesn't stick well, neither will the paint. Sanding always improves adhesion. Some paneling that appears to be wood may just be a faux melamine finish. If it is, sanding and a primer are recommended. Check with your paint supplier for the proper primer. Apply caulk to any gaps between paneling planks, between the panels and trim, and around the windows and doors.

Make sure to use "paintable" caulk. Allow the caulk to dry, as directed by the manufacturer. Use a foam sponge roller and a brush or just a brush alone to apply a thin coat of primer to all of the paneling. Make sure to cover the entire surface, including any trim. These will prevent any grease or wood stains from coming through and ruining your paint job. When painting knotty pine, use a primer formulated to cover knots, which can bleed through several coats of paint if not properly primed.

Apply a thin coat of paint to all paneling surfaces. Begin at the top and work your way down, making sure to cover all the gaps between the panels. With your brush, remove any excess paint that collects in the panel grooves. Take care of any drips right away, too. Let the first coat dry, as directed, then apply a second coat. After the primer and first coat, your wall may look finished, but a second coat will ensure the best coverage and improve its durability.

Paint the trim your desired color. This will help you reach the entire span of the wall with ease. Once the primer has dried, finish it with two coats of latex wall paint. While painting over wood paneling takes a bit of extra preparation, the end result looks clean and crisp.

Simply painting the trim involves much less work than tearing it out and replacing the room with drywall, plus we love the textured look of painted paneling. Try this intermediate painting project and see how easy it is to upgrade your space in a weekend.

Save Pin FB More. Take your home out of the '70s by painting wood paneling. We'll show you how simple it is to give wood paneling a clean, modern look with paint. Start Slideshow. Tweet Email Send Text Message. Credit: Marty Baldwin. Replay gallery. Pinterest Facebook. Up Next Cancel. Share the Gallery Pinterest Facebook.

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