How to Paint Wood Paneling in 7 Easy Steps (with Pictures)

The warm, inviting appear of wood paneling undoubtedly had its heyday, but there’s hardly ever a area for it in the modern house. If you are making an attempt to remodel or update the search of a new residence, one particular of the initial spots to start off is acquiring rid of this dated style.

You can rip out the outdated paneling and substitute it with drywall, but an simpler way to remove the paneling look is to make it disappear driving a number of layers of paint. You’ll finish up conserving a ton of time and money, and the benefits will be just as great.

It is not tough to make painted paneling seem amazing, but the mistaken strategy can make the wooden peek out and look even worse than it did prior to. For wonderful results, adhere to these seven effortless actions to paint wood paneling.

Preparation For Painting Wood Panelings

Prior to you commence painting your wall, it’s essential to assess regardless of whether you have strong wooden paneling or veneer. The slim, uniform paneling popular in the ‘70s is veneer, and it’s usually less difficult to paint. These panels do not increase, contract, or warp with temperature modifications, and with suitable preparation, it isn’t challenging to disguise the wood grain powering the paint.

If you have sound wooden panels, you should contemplate how they grow and contract from temperature adjustments. That can trigger cracks to open in the paint in excess of time and call for normal repairs. And if you have any special knots, it can be challenging to cover the texture no matter how much primer or paint you use.

Whether or not you have acquired veneer or reliable wooden, the method of refreshing your partitions is the exact same after you choose to paint.

Tools
Materials
How to Paint Wood Paneling in 7 Easy Steps (with Pictures)
Image Credit: IgorShubin, Pixabay

How to Paint Wood Paneling (7 Steps)

1. Clean and Prep the Wall

Before sanding your wall, you are going to need to have to eliminate outlet covers, fixtures, and fasteners so that there is nothing in the way of the paint. Then, clear any particles from the surface area to prevent it from working its way into the paneling as you paint. You can clear light-weight layers of filth, dust, and cobwebs with a damp rag.

A seriously soiled wall may need to have a more strong cleaner/degreaser, such as trisodium phosphate (TSP). TSP is a effective but poisonous chemical, so it is vital to use protective gloves, garments, eyewear, and confront coverings to limit exposure.

Blend ¼ cup of TSP for each gallon of drinking water to produce a wall-cleansing solution. Dampen a sponge or cloth with the answer and wipe down the partitions.


2. Fill Cracks, Gaps, and Holes

Use wooden putty to fill any cracks or holes in the wood paneling and easy it out with your putty knife. Let it dry.

How to Paint Wood Paneling in 7 Easy Steps (with Pictures)
Image Credit: bricoydeco, Pixabay

3. Lightly Sand the Wall

Veneer paneling typically has a substantial-gloss finish that does not hold paint nicely. Modern day primers are normally sturdy sufficient to adhere to veneer paneling, but to engage in it secure, it is a great concept to tough the floor and strip again the original shiny complete.

Employing medium-good grit sandpaper (a hundred and fifty-grit functions properly), flippantly sand the wall in smooth, circular motions. Veneers are skinny, so you need to just take treatment to only sand down the superficial levels. Right after sanding, wipe the walls with a moist cloth and vacuum the dust from the ground.

  • Note: Sanding creates a lot of dust, so you must wear appropriate eyewear and a dust mask. As an alternative to sanding, you can also apply a deglosser. Deglossing liquid strips the gloss to expose the rougher surface underneath without kicking up dust. Wipe the deglosser on the wall with a clean rag, and it will pull the smooth outer layer off.

4. Tape Baseboards and Wall Edges

Tape the baseboards, window trim, molding, and any fixtures that meet the wall to avert paint drips and caulk from getting on them.

How to Paint Wood Paneling in 7 Easy Steps (with Pictures)
Image Credit: kurhan, Shutterstock

5. Caulk and Spackle Gaps Between Boards

If you prepare to fill the gaps among the board to give a drywall-like seem to your concluded wall, you can fill them soon after sanding.

Use a paintable caulk (acrylic operates very best), working a line down every single gap. Smooth the caulk with a putty knife if required. Then, apply the spackle to fill in the small gaps between the caulk and paneling, employing a putty knife to smooth it down.

As soon as almost everything is dry, lightly sand the caulk and spackle until finally it is smooth and flush with the bordering wall. Wipe the leftover dust from the wall with a moist rag.


6. Apply Two Coats of Primer and Touch Up the Wall

Following cleansing the wall free of charge of dust, begin your 1st coat of primer. Stain-blocking primer will avoid oils and wooden textures from breaking by means of the paint levels. For solid wooden, a drinking water-based stain-blocking primer will assist include knots in the wooden, whilst an oil-dependent or shellac-based primer works well for veneer paneling.

Set on your very first coat of primer. Paint close to the edges of the wall 1st. Then, use your paintbrush to paint the gaps among the panels. Finish by rolling the primer on the relaxation of the wall. Let it dry.

Consider a search more than your wall for any imperfections to tackle right after implementing your very first coat of primer. The white primer will aid level out holes and cracks to fill with wooden putty. Fill, sand, and clean any remaining gaps.

Following touching up your wall, roll on yet another thin coat of primer.

How to Paint Wood Paneling in 7 Easy Steps (with Pictures)
Image Credit: Prapat Aowsakorn, Shutterstock

7. Apply Two Coats of Paint

Soon after the next coat of primer dries, utilize your first coat of paint. The greatest portray approach will count partly on regardless of whether you fill the gaps between the panels.

Often start by portray the edges of the wall, employing possibly the painter’s tape to block any paint bleeding or a minimize-in approach.

If you did not fill the gaps prior to portray, you may well get absent with only making use of your brush to paint the wall. When the panels are slim (only a few inches wide), you can paint each the panels and the space among them at after.

For the basic ‘70s-type veneer, it’s least difficult to use a roller, even if you did not fill in the spaces amongst the panels. Paint the gaps with your brush initial, creating a slim but constant layer and smoothing absent any drips. Then, use your paint roller to go above the whole wall as you would with drywall. Undertaking so will disguise any brush strokes and create a uniform texture.

After your first coat dries, follow up with a next coat. Once more, start with the edge initial, adopted by the paneling gaps and then the principal entire body of the wall.

What Kind of Paint Should You Use on Wood Paneling?

Interior latex paint is ideal for portray wooden paneling. It’s easy to roll on, easy to thoroughly clean and keep, and obtainable in a vast selection of finishes.

The crucial consideration is the primer that you use. If it has a sound basis to keep on to, it doesn’t subject too significantly which variety of paint you select.

To develop that foundation, you require a stain-blocking or oil-dependent primer. It will prevent wood grain, knots, and greasy residue from seeping via the primer and paint levels. At the identical time, it will stop the wooden from absorbing the paint, as a result conserving you from incorporating extra coats to get the colour correct.

How to Paint Wood Paneling in 7 Easy Steps (with Pictures)
Image Credit: _Alicja_, Pixabay

Final Thoughts

Wooden paneling could be outdated, but it’s surprisingly straightforward to changeover it to an updated type. And do not presume that you have to fill in the gaps amongst the panels to get a modern look. With a correct software, a clean coat of paint can completely revitalize the environment of a place, regardless of whether you choose for a flat aesthetic or determine to hold the paneled seem.

What ever your style, stick to these 7 straightforward steps to paint your wooden paneling, and you are going to be confident to generate a long-lasting seem your loved ones will adore!


Showcased Graphic Credit: Dagmara_K, Shuttterstock

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