How To Paint or Resurface Wall Paneling (2024)

Wall paneling, as soon as a well-liked residence decor selection, could make a room really feel darkish and outdated. Fortunately, you don’t want to tear out your previous paneling to present your house a recent, fashionable look. With some effort and the precise methods, you’ll be able to flip dated wall paneling into a trendy point of interest. 

This information will stroll you thru portray or resurfacing wall paneling, providing ideas and methods to realize a professional-looking end.

Kinds of Wall Paneling

You’ll discover two principal varieties of wall paneling in houses: strong wooden and plywood.

Stable wooden paneling is comprised of particular person boards, usually with tongue-and-groove or V-groove building. It’s extra sturdy and of upper high quality than its plywood counterpart, however it’s possible you’ll discover it tougher to replace because it expands and contract with adjustments in temperature and humidity.

Plywood paneling, widespread within the Nineteen Seventies, is comprised of skinny veneer. It’s normally straightforward to color or resurface, however you need to take care to not injury it.

Portray Plywood Paneling

Portray plywood paneling may be the only and most cost-effective method to replace its look—dramatically brightening a room and giving it a extra fashionable really feel. Right here’s a step-by-step information:

Step 1: Sand

Start by sanding all the floor with medium-grit sandpaper to take away the shiny end that may forestall paint from adhering correctly. Sand totally however gently to keep away from damaging the skinny plywood floor.

Step 2: Prime

After sanding, apply a high-quality primer to the paneling, making a uniform floor for the paint to stick to and serving to cowl any darkish colours or wooden grain. Permit the primer to dry utterly.

Step 3: Paint

As soon as the primer is dry, it’s time to color. Apply a minimum of two coats of latex wall paint, permitting every coat to dry totally earlier than making use of the following. Use a curler for big areas and a brush for edges and grooves. The completed wall will nonetheless have seen grooves, however they’ll be a lot much less noticeable, and also you’ll have dramatically improved the general look.

Resurfacing Plywood Paneling

If you’d like a totally clean floor, you’ll be able to resurface the paneling. This course of entails filling the grooves to create a flat floor earlier than portray. Right here’s tips on how to resurface plywood paneling:

Step 1: Put together the Floor

Begin by sanding the paneling with medium-grit sandpaper to take away the shiny end. Then, apply a coat of primer to create a uniform floor for the filler to stick to.

Step 2: Fill Grooves

After the primer dries, use a putty knife to use skinny layers of drywall joint compound to the grooves. Use skinny layers to stop cracking and warping. Permit every layer to dry and shrink in a single day earlier than making use of the following.

Step 3: Sand and Prime Once more

As soon as the grooves are stuffed and the compound is totally dry, sand all the floor clean. Then, apply one other coat of primer to stop the joint compound from displaying via the paint.

Step 4: Paint Resurfaced Paneling

Lastly, apply two coats of high-quality latex wall paint to the resurfaced paneling, attaining a clean, flat floor that appears like an ordinary painted wall.

Enhancing Resurfaced Paneling With Artistic Strategies

After making a clean basis, contemplate these ornamental choices for resurfaced paneling:

• Fake ending: Use sponging, rag rolling, or stenciling methods, or create appears to be like mimicking marble, stone, or suede.
• Accent partitions: Paint one wall in daring or contrasting colours, or apply wallpaper or murals for visible curiosity.
• Ornamental molding: Set up wainscoting or trim painted in contrasting or impartial colours for architectural element.

Eradicating or Masking Over Paneling

In case you resolve portray or resurfacing aren’t the very best choices, contemplate eradicating or masking the paneling.

If there’s drywall or plaster behind the paneling, and the paneling wasn’t glued to the wall, you might be able to take away it. This selection allows you to rehab the unique wall floor.

Another choice is to put in a layer of ¼-inch drywall instantly over the paneling, making a clean floor with out eradicating the paneling. Because the wall will likely be thicker, it’s possible you’ll want to regulate moldings and casings round doorways and home windows.

Portray Stable Wooden Paneling

You’ll have to take a barely completely different method to portray strong wooden paneling than you’d with plywood. Listed here are some ideas:

• If the paneling is knotty pine, use a stain-blocking, oil-based, or shellac-based primer to stop the resin within the wooden from bleeding via the paint.
• Don’t fill within the grooves in strong wooden paneling. The wooden will develop and contract with seasonal adjustments, which may trigger filler to crack and fall out over time.
• In case you discover working with strong wooden paneling too difficult, contemplate hiring knowledgeable painter.

Artistic Options for Stable Wooden Paneling

You may refashion strong wooden paneling with out dropping its pure attraction. In case you’re inclined towards sustaining a few of the wooden’s character, contemplate these options:

Whitewashing or limewashing: These methods lighten wooden paneling whereas permitting the wooden grain to indicate via, softening the wooden’s look and including a country or coastal really feel to the room. It’s preferrred for individuals who admire a extra delicate transformation whereas attaining a more energizing and brighter look.

Highlighting pure grain: In case you’re a fan of wooden’s pure look and wish an earthy, natural theme, highlighting the grain with a wooden stain or sealant could be the proper method.

Distressing for a classic look: A distressed end creates a classic, shabby-chic vibe. Flippantly sand areas of the wooden or apply wax for an aged look, making the paneling really feel cozy and filled with character.

Remaining Ideas About Portray or Resurfacing Wall Paneling

Updating wall paneling can dramatically change the feel and appear of a room. Whether or not you go for a easy paint job or a extra concerned resurfacing challenge, the important thing to success is preparation. Taking the time to correctly sand, prime, and paint (or resurface) will guarantee a professional-looking end that breathes new life into any house.

Keep in mind, the kind of paneling dictates the very best method, so decide whether or not you might have plywood or strong wooden paneling earlier than beginning. Our methods might help you say goodbye to dated decor and hey to a recent, fashionable inside.

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