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If you have tired of dark wood paneling or just want to brighten a paneled room, you can paint the paneling, provided you properly prepare the surface. This involves removing grease and dirt and scuff-sanding the factory finish so the paint will adhere better. Before you start, consider your options. If for example, inexpensive paneling has been applied over furring strips nailed over drywall or plaster, you might want to remove the paneling and furring, make the necessary wall repairs, and paint the walls. In most cases, however, the easiest approach is to paint the paneling.

Material List

• Plastic and canvas drop cloths
• Sandpaper, pad sander, and/or deglossing chemical
• Screwdriver
• Dust mask
• Extension cord and work lights
• Goggles
• Box fan
• Stain-killing bonding primer and/or bonding additive
• Ammonia-detergent solution
• Siliconized acrylic-latex and caulking gun
• Bucket and sponge
• 100% acrylic latex paint
• Abrasive pad
• Angled sash brush or edging-pad applicator
• Mineral spirits
• 1/2"-nap roller cover
• Rubber gloves
• Paint roller frame and tray
• Eye protection
• Brush/roller spinner
• Nails and hammer

• Tip: If you are removing fixtures, make sure to turn the power off at the circuit breaker and cover the breaker switch with tape as a reminder to others not to restore power. Then run an extension cord into the room for work lights.

2. Provide Ventilation: Provide good cross-ventilation by installing a box fan in an open window so that it exhausts air outdoors. Open another window just outside the room so that when the fan is on air will flow into the room and out the fan/window. This keeps dust and fumes out of the rest of the house.

3. Clean the Paneling: If the paneling is in or near a kitchen and has a buildup of grease, take time to clean it with an ammonia/water/detergent cleaning solution. In stubborn cases, use an abrasive cleaning pad dampened with mineral spirits. In both cases, turn on the exhaust fan and wear rubber gloves and eye protection.

• Tip: As you clean the paneling keep an eye out for any loose areas and secure them with paneling nails before you paint.

4. Remove the Shine: There are two ways to remove the shine that would prevent the paint from bonding well to the existing finish. You can sand the entire wall with fine sandpaper in a pad sander; or you can brush on a deglossing chemical, such as Liquid Sander (or use a combination of the two). The fan will help keep down the dust but sanding is best done with a sander equipped with a dust collector, preferably the type that attaches to a vacuum. Nevertheless, wear a dust mask. If you use the chemical approach, follow cautions on the label. Most deglossers are only effective for a few hours before they must be coated with paint, so keep that in mind when you plan your work.

5. Apply a Bonding Primer: Although it may not be necessary, you are virtually guaranteed success if you apply a special stain-killing bonding primer before painting. The primer is applied with a paint roller and brush in the usual manner. Most of these primers dry very quickly and can be topcoated within a few hours, but check the label. Instead of or in addition to a bonding primer, a bonding additive can be stirred into the first of two topcoats.

• Tip: Have your primer tinted to the approximate color of your topcoat.

6. Caulk Cracks: Paint will make any joints and open cracks between the paneling and trim (or ceiling) more noticeable. This is a good time to seal them with siliconized acrylic-latex caulk. Cut very little of the tip off the cartridge, fill the joints, and then smooth with a wet finger.

7. Paint: Topcoat the paneling with 100% acrylic latex paint. Cut in (outline) an area with a brush or edging-pad paint applicator and then roll on the paint using a 1/2-inch nap roller cover.

• Tip: Always buy the best-quality roller cover available. Inexpensive ones tend to shed, causing much more grief that the few cents you save are worth. Choose any gloss - but keep in mind that the more glossy the finish the more dirt-resistant and easy-to-clean the finish will be.

• Tip: A brush/roller spinner works like a top to remove excess water out of brushes and roller. The tool both simplifies the task and does a better job of cleaning your equipment.