Paint Wood Paneling
Painting over wood paneling is a task that many homeowners choose when updating the look of homes built during the middle years of the 20th century. When done properly, the painted walls will bear little to no resemblance to the wood paneling of yesteryear, making it easy to give the space more of a contemporary feel. The task can actually be managed over the course of a weekend with relatively little effort.
Contents
Steps
Prepping the Wood Paneling
- Begin the task by clearing the room of any furniture and covering the floor with a drop cloth. Canvas drop cloths work best, but they can be more expensive; if you need to use something else, tape down some rosin paper instead.
- Don safety goggles and a face mask. A face mask will help to filter out some of the paint fumes, while safety goggles will prevent dust and other residue from getting into your eyes during the sanding process.
- Spot-treat any holes, gashes, or other blemishes in the wall with spackle or joint compound. Grab a putty knife or a trowel and hit any uneven surfaces with joint compound, smoothing it out with a putty knife. You may need to apply two coats of compound, as it shrinks when it dries, so it's better to apply thick and sand down later than not applying enough.
- Prepare the walls for painting by sanding. Use a fine-grit sander to go over all the wall surfaces. The best implement to use is a random orbital sander, although you can use sandpaper and a little bit of elbow grease if you're in a pinch. Reach hard-to-get-to areas with a pole extension or a ladder.
- Don't skimp on the sanding. Proper sanding will help do several things:
- It will help to remove any protective coating on the paneling that could interfere with the adherence of the paint.
- It will increase adhesion of the paint to the surface.
- It will increase the smoothness of the final surface.
- Don't skimp on the sanding. Proper sanding will help do several things:
- Clean the walls to remove any dust or residue. Dust or residue is the enemy of primer and paint; any residue left over will mar the final look of your paint in addition to making the surface rougher.
- Clean with TSP (tri-sodium phosphate) or a TSP substitute. Rinse the TSP off with a clean cloth and allow a few hours for the walls to dry.
- Apply joint compound to any grooves in the paneling. This will make it easier to create a smooth surface for the painting. Smooth the compound with the trowel and allow it to dry. If necessary, use the sander to smooth the joints until they are level with the surrounding panels. Wipe with a dry cloth to remove any residue left by the sanding.
Priming and Painting
- Prime the paneled walls. Tape the edges around window and door frames as well along the ceiling; then begin applying a coat of primer. The primer will provide a clean and light palette for the space, making it easier to cover the paneling completely with one or two coats of paint. Allow the primer coat to dry for at least a few hours or overnight for the best results.
- Mix and aerate the primer adequately before applying to the wood paneling. Using and up-and-down circular motion, mix the primer so that it distributes more evenly when you apply it to the paneling.
- Use a primer specifically designed for wood for best results. Many wood primers are water-based, meaning that they dry relatively quickly (2 to 4 hours). This gives you less time spent on the job.
- After allowing the primer to dry, sand it down briefly with fine-grit sandpaper. You can use a sanding tool for this, but you don't want to overdo it, so you might be better off just sanding by hand. Sand lightly but evenly for better adhesion when you finally cover with paint.
- Remember to rub off any sawdust or residue after sanding with a tack cloth or a clean brush. Sawdust and grime are the enemy of a polished, professional look.
- Begin the painting process. Use a brush to cut in around windows, doors and the ceiling. Once the edge work is done, begin painting the walls using brushes, rollers or paint sprayers. Apply an even coat and allow it to dry for a day or so before evaluating.
- Apply a second or third coat, if necessary. Depending on the tone of the paneling and the effectiveness of the primer, two or three coats will normally be sufficient to create the look you want. Inspect the paint and make sure it is completely dry before moving furniture back into the room.
- If you really want an even, smooth look, use fine sandpaper and terry cloth to hit the coat of paint before you apply another coat.
- Finished. Inspect your lovely new wood paneling and congratulate yourself. You made an easy project look, well, easy!
Tips
- Make sure the space is well ventilated at all times. Air circulation will not only help clear the space of paint fumes but will also aid in helping the paint to dry.
- By mixing a little of the paint into the primer, the coverage of the wood grain on the paneling will be enhanced.
- Some people prefer to leave the grooves exposed when painting over wood paneling, giving the painted walls a little additional texture and visual appeal. If you prefer to do so, dispense with the use of the joint compound, but do remember to sand the glossy surface of the paneling so that the primer and paint will adhere more securely.
Things You'll Need
- Cleaning products
- Sander
- Joint compound
- Trowel
- Drop cloths
- Safety goggles
- Face mask
- Primer
- Paint
- Paint brushes, rollers and sprayers
