Your Guide to Painting Wood Paneling Like a Pro

upgrade your olive-drab or outdated space with our expert tips for painting wood paneling flawlessly .

How to Paint Wood Paneling

While paint Mrs. Henry Wood paneling is n’t hard , right preparation is of the essence for thepaint to adhere well . Without taking appropriate beat , you could end up with an unevenpaint jobthat you ’ll have to remake after .

Step 1: Clean Paneling

Start bywiping woods panel cleanwith a dampish rag to take away rubble or dirt . If you have filth pip or other knotty stains , off them using a mild cleaning solution , then wipe the airfoil with a clean , damp rag . Be sure to get in the panels ' crevices , which run to collect dirt . Allow the rampart to dry out completely before moving to the next whole step .

For refractory stains , use mineral emotional state to call off the aerofoil of your wood - paneled walls . Just be trusted to wear protective paraphernalia and utilise adequate ventilating system when implement the spirit . Also , remember that mineral spirits are flammable and should be disposed of properly , much like oil paint or other risky materials .

Step 2: Fill Nail Holes

Before painting wood panelling , meet any nail holes or other imperfectness with a spackling compound . employ a putty tongue to spread the compound swimmingly over the holes or imperfections . Do n’t worry about the coloring of the putty — it will dry out achromatic and be covered with paint . Allow the putty to dry out , thensand the spacklingflush with the surface . pass over out any dust with a tack cloth .

Step 3: Sand Paneling

Sand the panelling with 100 grit emery paper using a pole sander , sanding block , ororbital smoother . This will take the sheen off the finish , which will allow the paint to cleave better . Do n’t get carried away and sandpaper the surface down to the bare wood — just enough to rough up the exist finish .

Step 4: Remove Trim

If you plan to keep the trimming ’s color as - is or paint it a tone different than your wood pane , absent it from the rampart . Use a prybar and gently take out it lax . If you plan topaint the trimthe same color as the rampart , lightly sand the next wood trimming on the baseboards to grant the rouge to stick by to it . Once everything has been sanded , go over the walls and cut with a clean , damp textile to remove dust or particles . Touch up any rough sanding spots along the way of life .

Step 5: Caulk Cracks

Using acaulk gun , give caulk to any crack and interruption where the paneling meets the baseboard and ceiling or around door and windows . This will give your room a gracious , polished look . Allow thecaulking to drythoroughly before painting your woods pane . Consult the manufacturing business ’s instructions to see how long you should lease it bring around .

Step 6: Protect Surrounding Areas

For a professional finish , do n’t cut this of import dance step while paint wood paneling . It will keep the edges of your room looking clean and sharp . First , cover the base with drop cloths prominent enough to reach along the paneled wall . If the key drip , the drop cloth will make unnecessary your flooring . Next , withpainters tape , cloak any orbit you wish to protect , such as the ceiling , outlet , door , or window .

Step 7: Prime and Paint Paneling

Prime pane with a rubber-base paint - based , mark - stop priming . For even coverage , we commend tinting your primer coat with a colorant similar to the finished key .

Use a rollerwith a medium nap to paint wood paneling . It should have a long enough cat sleep to sate the vertical grooves in the panelling but short enough to leave a smooth surface . We also advise using a roller with a large or adjustable hold , which will serve you well reach the entire span of the wall . Once the primer has dried , terminate it with two coat of latex wall paint .

More Ways to Update a Wood-Paneled Space

Paint is a versatile tool for transform superannuated wood - paneled walls . Acalming , coolheaded colour , like cloud hoary or lenient blue , can make a sanctuary - like space for little cost and not a circumstances of sentence . A dark , sullen coloring can grow an styleless den into a sophisticated assembly position . But you ’re not limited to a exclusive colour and you ’re not restrict to paint . Here are a few other room to makeover your forest - paneled walls .

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes , in some cases , you may paint wood paneling without sand . However , the paint will adhere better and have a more even finish if you sandpaper and ground the wood pane before painting .

If the be pigment is in good condition ( not peel or flaking ) , you do not postulate to despoil paint from wood panelling before repainting . Just clean , sand , and prime the surface as you would with unpainted or varnished Sir Henry Wood paneling . If the survive paint is stocky , heavily superimposed , or significantly damage , stripping may be necessary .

Yes , you’re able to transfer paint from woodwind instrument paneling , but it will take some patience and elbow grease — especially if the blusher is sure-enough or superimposed on thick . Use a sander and heat gunslinger for small projects and chemical strippers for larger jobs . Hire a professional if you are concerned about damage the wood or if you have lead - loaded blusher that requires certified removal experts .

table and plant in front of painted wood paneling wall