How To Paint Wood Paneling

Removing or replacing wood paneling can be an expensive and a messy situation for your home.  Painting the wood paneling can not only be cost effective, but have a beautiful transformation. Let’s go over the prep and tools you need to bring color to your wood paneling.

• Remove Objects From Wall

Like any paint project, the results will sine best, if you’re willing put in the right preparation.

• • Start by removing an nails or hooks from the wood paneling.
  • Next, locate any outlet or light switch covers and remove those as well.

• Sanding

  Place a dropcloth on the floor and any furniture close to the area where you will be painting.

  • Use a sanding sponge and lightly knock down the sheen on the wall.
  • Move the sanding sponge in the same direction of the wood grain. This step is key in making sure the primer/paint can grab on to the newly sanded wood panel.

• Tape the Wall

  Painter’s tape doesn’t want to stick to anything dirty or dusty.

  • Wash and dry your baseboards before applying the painter’s tape.
  • Apply painter’s tape on the trim and anywhere you don’t want to get paint.

• Prime the Wall

  With the tape set, it’s now time to prime the walls. For the type of paneling we’re painting we’re going to use an Oil Based Primer.

  • Open up a few windows and get the air circulating when using a primer like this one.
  • Start by using a paint brush to get in the gaps or lines between the paneling.
  • Come back with a paint roller to get more coverage with your primer.

• Patch It

  With the primer applied, it’s time to to patch some of the spots that had holes in it from nails and hooks.

  • Using a paintable caulk or Spackle fill the holes.
    • We suggest using your finger vs. a putty knife. If you use a putty knife you may dig in or remove some of the grain with a tool like that.
  • Dip your finger in a Spackle bucket or caulk and put it in the hole.
  • Give your hands a good wash after applying the patch.

• Paint It

  For this wood paneling we are using Clark+Kensington Paint and Primer in One and the sheen is Eggshell .

  • Just like the primer, you are going to start by filling in the gaps or cracks that are between the paneling first.
  • Once all of those crevices are filled in then you will move to rolling on the paint.
  • Wait 2 hours for the first coat to be dry and check and see if you can still see bleed through of the wood from the paneling. If so, apply a second coat.

• Wrap It Up

  With the paint dry, it’s time to remove the painter’s tape from the wall.

  • Follow up next by placing your outlet and switch covers back on.

For more helpful tips and advice visit a neighborhood Ace.