Let’s face it, most paneling is so yesterday. Fortunately, you can freshen up your walls, lighten up your space, and update your decor, by painting.
You may have heard that you can’t paint paneling. It’s simply not true. The fact is you can paint paneling; it just has to be done properly. If you don’t properly prep and prime the surface first, your paint will begin to chip away almost as soon as it dries.
Many people have had bad experiences with painting paneling, but it is because they didn’t take the proper measures before applying paint. I have some tips to help you do it right, so your paint will adhere well, cover well, and look great!
Clean the Walls
The first step is cleaning the paneled surface thoroughly. Vinegar is a good choice, since it won’t leave an oily or waxy residue. It will also remove dust and grime.
Sand the Surface
Next, give the paneling a good scuff with fine grain sandpaper. This will remove the shiny coat that is often the result of waxing or treating the wood. If you don’t remove all wax and oils, your paint will not cover or adhere well. Be sure to wipe any grit and dust left after sanding.
Use Primer
It is important to prime paneling, because most types of wood paneling are very porous and will absorb a great deal of paint. If you prime first, you will probably only need one coat of paint, or two at the most. If you don’t, the paint will soak in and you may have to paint over and over to achieve the look you want. Remember, water based primer works best with water based paint, and oil based works best with oil based paint.
Paint
Make sure you allow the primer to dry completely before painting, at least twenty-four hours. Stir paint thoroughly and apply evenly. Allow paint to dry, at least overnight, between coats.