How to Paint Over Dark Wood Paneling in the Basement

Remove all items from the room. Dip a sponge into a bucket of warm water, wring it out and clean the paneling to remove any dirt and dust. If there are any major stains, use an appropriate cleaner to remove them.

Fill any small holes in the wall with spackling compound, using either your finger or a putty knife. Place drop cloths on the floor.

Sand the walls using 100-grit sandpaper and a sanding pole. This will eliminate the sheen on the wood paneling. Wipe the walls with a damp sponge to clean up the dust.

Mask any areas that you don't want to paint, such as along the baseboards, with painter's tape.

Open a can of latex stain-blocking primer. With the paintbrush, paint along the edges of the wall where the roller won't be able to reach. This is called cutting. Rinse the paintbrush when done.

Place a medium-nap roller cover on the paint roller. The thicker nap will help to fill the gaps in wood paneling. Pour the primer into the paint tray, roll the roller in the paint and run it in a W pattern, overlapping strokes. Work in small sections at a time until the wall is completely primed. Allow the primer to dry.

Repeat the priming process with two coats of interior latex wall paint. Carefully remove the painter's tape and allow the walls to dry before moving furniture back in.