How to Cover Wood Panels

Painting

• Painting has advantages when it comes to speed and choice. With a little work you can cover the panels with an interior paint the color of your choice. The right preparation allows you to keep the knotted or grainy wood pattern of the paneling present after adding a new shade to the room, combining the benefits of both materials. For a paint job you will need both a proper primer and an interior latex paint.

Paint Preparation

• Begin by taking off any molding or trim that surrounds your wood panels. If you take the trim off carefully you may be able to reuse it, but it is a good idea to budget for new trim. Clean the panels thoroughly after you finish, and dry them to remove any dust while allowing moisture a chance to escape. Then apply joint compound to the largest cracks and gaps in the wood panels to smooth out the grooves. Leave superficial cracks to show through after you've applied the paint. Lightly sand the joint compound and any rough areas of the panels, clean them again, and apply one or two layers of primer and one or two layers of paint, depending on how much you want the veneer's wood grain pattern to show through. Allow each coat of primer and paint to dry before applying the next coat.

Wallpaper

• Applying wallpaper over panels fully hides the wood beneath, allowing you to cover up flaws. Paint will typically show the grain in your wood panels, unless it is very thick. The right wallpaper, however, can resemble faux stone and plaster finishes for alternative looks. Wallpaper also allows you to choose burlap, cork and fabric material for different textures entirely. To bond properly, wallpaper requires a smooth surface, which may take extra installation steps compared with painting.

Preparation

• Wood veneer panels need a coat of primer for wallpaper to stick to them, so the first steps of papering are similar to those of painting. However, you need to fully sand the walls and apply more joint compound to remove all the cracks and gaps, otherwise the wallpaper will peel away from the panels over time. Hang the wallpaper, rolling it gently to avoid compressing it too much against the panels. Caulk the edges for moisture protection.