| Painting Paneling |
From "Ask DIY"
episode ADI-205 |
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Q: How do you paint paneling? Do I need to clean it with ammonia and prime the wall before painting?
A: (Nancy Golden, Ask DIY Decorating & Design Expert) Painting paneling is a labor-intensive job, but it's worth it when you're finished. Here are the steps to follow: Materials:
Old clothes or apron
Work gloves
Safety eyewear
Painter's tape
Trisodium phosphate
Deglosser (optional)
Putty knife
Spackle compound
120-grit sandpaper
Oil-based bonding primer
Latex paint
Glaze
Old rollers and brushes
- Put on old clothing or an apron to protect your clothing from paint splattering. Also cover your hands, because you'll be dealing with a lot of chemicals, and wear safety glasses.
- Tape off the areas where you don't want paint -- windows, ceilings, fireplaces -- with painter's tape.
- Remove all the switchplate covers from the wall.
- Clean the paneling with trisodium phosphate (TSP). Mix it with water following the instructions on the bottle. If the paneling is particularly shiny, you may need a deglosser as well. Luckily, you can buy products that include both TSP and a deglosser. This step is very important, because if you don't do a good job painting, the paint will never adhere to the panel surface.
- Fill in all the bumps and nicks and other irregularities in the paneling with a putty knife and spackle.
- Sand the paneling with 120-grit sandpaper to roughen the surface so it will accept more paint. Really apply a lot of pressure (figure A). Use a tack cloth to wipe off the dust from the sanding.
- Apply an oil-based bonding primer to the paneling with an old brush or roller -- something you're willing to throw away, because the primer is quite difficult and messy to clean off. If your paneling is extra dark, use two coats of bonding primer. I recommend light-gray primer because just about any color can go on top.
- For a "California" style look, use a soft-vanilla latex over the primer, applying it with a roller.
- To add a striping effect on top, mix the some more of the same latex paint with glaze. The more saturated you want your color to be, the more paint you mix in. Load your brush with the paint/glaze mix and drag it in one direction to leave striations. You can also use texture paint on the paneling.
The panel painting process is rigorous and time-consuming, but the results are amazing. Just consider this example of a family room before (figure B) and after (figure C) its paneling makeover. More Questions for Nancy:
Q: We're building a new house and I'd like to wallpaper several of the rooms. Is there any advice you can give me for picking out wallpaper?
A: There are a couple of general rules to follow. If you have a room that's large-scale with a lot of plain, open walls, then you can use a large repeat pattern. It will add wonderful color to the space. You can also use a paper border, even around the windows and cove moldings. If you want your room to look higher, consider vertical stripes. They will also help you out with decisions at the wallcovering store.
Q: I have a crib that I'm about to throw away. I was wondering if there are any projects I could do to salvage any of the parts?
A: Take off the side rail and turn it 90 degrees and use it to hang quilts or blankets. Or maybe you can use the end piece as a headboard or footboard.
Q: I have a copper trellis and would like it to have a patina finish. How can I speed up the aging process?
A: The products on the market don't look real! Let it age with time and water instead. Be patient. Web site resources for Painting Paneling: Panel Painting, Part 1 from DIY Net.Com Panel Painting, Part 2 from DIY Net.Com Painted Paneling from HGTV.Com Transforming Dark Paneling With Paint from Benjamin Moore.Com Books: Paint Ideas and Decorating Techniques
By Better Homes and Garden Books (2000)
ISBN: 0696210320
Meredith Corp.
1716 Locust St.
Des Moines, IL 50309-0302
Phone: 800-678-8091 or 515-284-3000
Fax: 515-284-3371
Web site: www.meredithcorp.com Paint Your House: Skills, Techniques, and Tricks of the Trade for Professional Interior Painting
By Francis Donnegan
ISBN: 0895778386
Readers Digest
Customer Service
P.O. Box 235
Pleasantville, NY 10570-0235
Phone: 800-310-6261
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