Wood paneling adds an extra dimension to a room, and can be stained, waxed or painted. If you choose to paint it, you should know how to do it properly so that it stays looking great for the longest possible time.
Wood paneling can be used in a room below the dado, or chair, rail to give a country feel to a room. It is also often used in bathrooms. You will need to choose the right paint for the location, but the technique you use will be the same.
PAINT
Before you use your top coat, the paneling will need to be painted with a wood primer. Choose a water based one if you can find it, as it has less smell and the brushes are easier to clean.
You can paint wood paneling with any kind of paint. If you are using it in the main living room, you would normally choose a gloss paint to match the other woodwork in the room. However, if you have a bold, contemporary theme in mind, you can use an emulsion or eggshell paint.
If your paint is in the bathroom, you will need to choose paint specially for bathroom and kitchens, as it has a waterproof quality to it.
BRUSHES
You can paint some of the paneling with a small roller, but you will need a 1.5″ brush to paint the edges with. Choose a good quality brush so that there is no danger of loose bristles. A good quality brush also helps you apply the paint more evenly.
PREPARATION
Remove any old paint from the paneling using a proprietary paint stripper or (if you are feeling brave!) sandpaper. You might need to use a variety of tools to get the paint out of the grooves, but it is important to do this because a) the old color might show through and b) it will affect the crisp look of the paneling. Use sandpaper to remove any remains of paint and to smooth the surface and provide a ‘key’ for the layer of paint you are going to apply.
TECHNIQUE
You will need to apply your primer first, along the whole length of the paneling, wait until it is dry, and then start again at the beginning with your top coat.
Paint only a few boards at once, choosing four or five at one end of the paneling to start with. Using the paintbrush, paint the top few inches and the bottom few inches of the boards.
Next, use the brush again to paint the grooves in between the boards, using strokes parallel to the groove.
Lastly, change to the small roller, and paint the flat area of the paneling. You can use a brush to do this bit if you prefer, but a roller is quicker. If you use a brush, paint in the direction of the grain of the wood.
Now you can change back to the brush, and start on the next set of four/five boards.
FINISHING
Wash your brushes in water if you have used emulsion paint, or brush cleaner if you have used gloss. You paneling should stay looking good for many years to come.
