Paint Over Paneling

The wood paneling of the older homes give an outdated and boring impression on the overall interior decoration of the house. So, homeowners look out for ways to change the look for the better. One of them is complete removal of those ugly paneling boards. However, there are some problems associated with it. If it is glued to the wall, then its removal will cause extensive damage to the walls which will require immediate repair. In many homes, wall panels hide lots of imperfections of the old walls, like wide cracks and gouges which will get exposed. For all these reasons, the question that pops up in their mind is "can I paint over paneling?". The answer is yes, and is the simplest and easiest solution to the problem.

How to Paint Over Wall Paneling?

Before you start with the interior painting, make sure you remove all the furniture from the room or cover them up with drop cloths. Procure the tools and material needed for the painting job. It includes: joint compound, sandpaper, primer, paint, paint brush or paint rollers, soap and water, etc. Once you are ready, follow the instructions given below:

Step#1: The first step involves preparation of the surface of the paneling. Check out the wall panel for any protruding nails. If you find any, pull them off. Then the surface has to be cleaned thoroughly with soap and water to get rid of all the dirt and grease. Dip a sponge into the soap solution and rub it vigorously all over the wood panel including the corners and the edges. Rinse off the soap with clean water.

Step#2: The next step is filling up of the grooves on paneling with joint compound. Mix the joint compound on a mud pan as per the manufacturer's instructions. Spread it over the grooves in the form of a thick uniform layer so that they get filled up properly. Let the compound dry for 24 hours. If there are some instructions given on the label of the container regarding the drying time, then follow the same.

Step#3: After the compound is dry, you have to sand down all those areas where it has been applied in order to give them a smooth finish. You can use sandpaper or a power sander for this purpose. If the surface of the panel is too slick then you can lightly sand the entire wall panels which will ensure better adherence of the primer and the paint. Then wipe off the walls with a damp sponge to remove all the sanded dust from its surface.

Step#4: Usually, the surface of wall panel is glossy which makes it difficult to hold the paint. Hence, a good quality primer has to be applied so that the paint can bond well with the wood. Another advantage of application of primer is that it can hide minor defects of panels very well. First of all, apply a single coat of primer and let it dry thoroughly which will require at least 12 hours. After that if you feel the need of a second coat, then go for it.

Step#5: Once the second coat of primer is dry, it's time to apply paint over wood paneling. A latex paint with flat or eggshell finish is ideal for this as the irregularities of the wood paneling will become less visible. Avoid a glossy finish paint as it tend to make the imperfections more obvious. Apply the first coat of paint as per the directions provided by the manufacturer. Depending on the paint color and the shade of the panel you have to decide on the number of coats of paint to be used. Usually, three coats of paint are required. However, for dark shades of panel, more coats need to be applied. Make sure that you let the previous coat dry properly before you go for the next coat.

When you opt for paint over paneling, then you have obtained a long term solution to the problem of dull and depressing wall panels as the paint will last for several years. Moreover, you do not require much effort to complete this home improvement project. While carrying out the paint job, make sure that you protect yourself with adequate gear like fully covered clothes, hat, hand gloves, goggle and respirator.