You can bring your home from the Brady Bunch age to modern times just by painting wood paneling. Wood paneling, a favorite of dens and romper rooms, made a room feel more cozy, but many people interpret "cozy" as "smaller." You may be tempted to rip out the paneling, but an even easier fix would be to paint the room in brighter colors.
Your Tools
When painting wood paneling, you need to take the time to do the job right. Invest in quality materials, starting with the primer. Pick an acrylic latex primer tinted the same color as the paint for the best results.
When picking the paint, go with low gloss. Wood paneling will have imperfections, so you want something that won't make those little problems stand out.
The Process
Covering wood paneling is a lot like painting an ordinary wall. Lay out drop cloths, apply painter's tape where you want clean lines, and make sure the area is well-ventilated.
Clean the wall, and remove any nails. Fill the holes with wood filler. Check for any loose wood panels, and nail those back to the wall.
Next, sand down the walls with a rough sandpaper to help the paint stick. Do not skip this step or go easy on the wall. You want to scuff it well. Otherwise, the glossier your wood paneling, the more likely it is that the paint you use will flake off.
Then apply two to three coats of primer until you feel you have a good base. You may want to buy more primer than you think you need, as it will take a lot to hide dark wood panels.
When you are working with the primer, make sure to go back and get the paint in the grooves separately; otherwise, the lines of the wood paneling will stand out.
Let the primer dry, and then apply one to two coats of your paint until you feel that the paneling is sufficiently covered.
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You can paint over wallpaper, especially if you are willing to put in the time to cover up the texture with primer and drywall mud. However, it won't work if you are working with old or improperly applied wallpaper. |
If you have inherited paneling in your home that you no longer want, there are ways to change the look of the room. You just need to know your options and the mistakes to avoid. |
The cheapest and easiest way to freshen up a room is with a fresh coat of new paint. New paints on the market allow you to paint everything from paneling to bathroom tiles. Here area few suggestions for painting common problem areas. |
If you want to know how to paint over paneling successfully, you need to take a good look at the grooves on the paneling. Some people don't mind keeping the grooves, but others want a smoother effect. |
