Old cheap stained wood paneling on a wall can make a room look dark and dated. Instead of taking down the paneling (who knows what you are going to find or what damage you are going to make), consider painting the wood paneling to freshen up the room. Here are some tips and tricks for painting wood paneling. CleanStart by cleaning your paneling so you can really see what you have. Clean the wood paneling with soap and water to remove all dust, cobwebs, and dirt. Make sure to remove any greasy or oily stains (original blue Dawn dish soap might work well). RepairUsing wood putty, fill in any nail holes or cracks that have developed. If desired, you can use spackle to fill in the grooves to disguise the paneling and make the wall look smooth. SandUsing a pole sander or sanding block, lightly sand the wood paneling with medium or fine grit sandpaper to rough up the surface. If you don't sand, the paint may not stick to the wood paneling and all of your hard work will look worse than if you didn't paint it. Do not sand too much or use a coarse grit sandpaper, which might damage the wall. You can use an electric sander with a medium to fine grit sandpaper is you have a lot of wood paneling to paint. CleanWipe down your wood paneling with a tack cloth or slightly damp cloth to remove all sanding dust. Whatever dust stays on the wall will get stuck in the paint, so ensure that you remove all of the dust. Make sure the wall is completely dry before proceeding. TapeUsing painters tape, tape off any areas that you do not want to paint - such as adjacent walls, the floor, a fireplace, and the ceiling. See the article.....Painter's Tape Tips & Tricks: Achieve Flawless Lines in Your Next Painting Project. PrimeUsing a paint roller and a brush, paint the walls using a high quality primer to create a good base coat for the paint to adhere to. Roll on the primer in as many places as you can since rolling takes less time. Brush on the primer in spots that the roller can't reach. PaintOnce the primer has dried, paint the walls with an even top coat of your desired paint. You will probably need 2 coats of paint for a smooth finish. Make sure to use the highest quality paint in your budget for the best quality finish that will resist fading and be more durable. SealerDecide whether you want to add a protective sealer on top of your painted paneling. If you use a high quality paint, this might not be necessary. If you have children, pets, or other people who tend to rub or bump against your walls, consider coating your painted paneling with a polyurethane to protect it.
