Painting Over a Panel

Prepare the Paneling

• Before painting over wood paneling, you must prepare it. Clean the wood surface with a damp cloth so all the dust and debris is removed. Fill nail holes with caulk or wood filler. After the caulk dries, sand it with fine sandpaper and wipe away dust particles. Apply painter's tape along the baseboards, ceilings and adjoining walls, so you do not paint any unwanted surfaces.

Sanding

• The only sanding that needs to be done is if the paneling is splintered, in which case smooth the surface with medium-grit sandpaper. If there is a gloss such as a shellac on the surface, sand it with 220 grit sandpaper. After sanding, wipe away the dust particles. An alternative to sanding is to apply a thorough coating of liquid deglosser to the wood paneling with a soft cloth. You can find this product at any home improvement store.

Applying Primer

• Within an hour of applying the deglosser, prime the wood paneling with an oil-base primer, which is better than water-based because it is more durable and grease cannot penetrate and ruin the finish. It is best to apply the primer with a 3/8-inch nap roller so it gets into all crevices. If you cannot get the primer into the cracks or corners with a roller, use a small nylon brush to work in the primer. It is only necessary to add one coat of the primer, but make sure you apply the primer to the entire wall.

Painting the Paneling

• Allow the primer to dry for several hours before applying the paint. Different types of paint dry at different rates, so it is best to check drying times according to the product's instructions. After the primer is dry, apply a thin and even layer of oil-based paint. Apply in the same manner as the primer and use a 3/8-inch nap roller and a small nylon brush to get into the corners or grooves. Once the first paint coat dries, add another coat of paint. Cover the entire wall in paint.