Painting over wood paneling?

1. 91

   Georgie Loweryposted 11 years ago

   Painting over wood paneling?
   
   Here's the thing. I hate wood paneling. I don't know why. Even the lighter stuff seems to dark to me. I was wondering if it's practical to paint over it or if I'll have to spackle the grooves or something first? The photo is what I have to work with. It's from my dining room, but the stuff is in every room of my house! Also, if I can do this, what kind of paint would be the best?
   
   

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2. 76

   Cantuhearmescreamposted 11 years ago

   Georgie,
   I'm waiting to hear what other's have to say but personally, I think you could do it either way. Using joint compound over the crackes with a putty knife would actually be very quick because the lines are thin and neat. After they dry, a little bit of sand paper lightly over any discrepancies and you're good to go. However, the texture of the panling will be different from the joint compound which kind of sisters sheet rock, and you will probably be able to tell. Whereas if you just embrace the grooves, it could come out interesting too. I've lived in a lot of places with many different challenges and I always remodel every place I've lived. I've painted over textured wallpaper and paneling before. Depending on the room and the color you choose, an "accident" could actually turn out quite appealing.

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3. 82

   Marian Designsposted 11 years ago

   I had a house a few decades ago that was totally paneled. I painted every wall. You might want to Google "paint over paneling" and see what you get. Or call Lowe's and ask. It may be that you should prepare the paneling before you paint. What I did, though, it to just buy some latex paint and start painting. If you're not going to prepare the paneling before painting, I wouldn't try to hide the grooves. Good luck!

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4. 69

   We Solved Itposted 11 years ago

   Yes.  You can paint over wood paneling.  But you must use sand paper and primer on the surface in order for the paint to properly adhere to the glossy surface of the paneling you have.   And yes, you can fill in the grooves as you mentioned if you wish.  It is up to you on the ultimate look you want - don't be afraid to experiment if you are looking to do something more interesting and fun.
   
   Since you said this is in every room of the house - we suggest that you use a flat matte water based paint for most rooms.  If you happen to have paneling in a kitchen or bathroom where the walls would be exposed to moisture, water, or in the case of a kitchen - oil or food splatters from cooking, we suggest an oil-based paint so that the surface is easy to 'wipe clean' and maintain (much easier to do than a flat matte waterbase that is porous and only absorbs the stains). 
   
   When you go to your local home improvement store, the folks there will be able to show you the proper tools to use to achieve any fancy paint designs or looks you wish to do.  There are all kinds of techniques these days from sponge, to swirl texture, layered, etc.   Painter's tape is also very helpful if you end up creating a look where you paint 3/4  (ceiling to 3/4 of the way down) one color and paint a slight shade different for the bottom and use divider crown molding.  If you choose do to this, you can actually leave the grooves of the paneling for either part for a different look, too.   
   
   Good luck and have fun!

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5. 60

   duffsmomposted 11 years ago

   If you sand it well and use primer, it will look very nice painted over. You can spackle the grooves but it isn't necessary.
   
   The goofballs that built our house wainscotted the living room with T-111 paneling, a very rough paneling that is meant for house siding. I sanded it gently just to take off the surface, primed, then painted it. I would rather have drywall but removing the paneling and drywalling is too expensive, so the paint works.
   
   Leaving the grooves gives it a lot of character.  Do you know what is underneath the paneling?  If they paneled over drywall, you might be able to easily remove it.

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