Painting over wood (or faux wood) paneling

House Doctor | Gary Dymski

July 7, 2005

We have wooden paneling in our den, which is more than 25 years old and is in dire need of a face-lift. The paneling has black vertical grain lines and black molding. We thought a fresh coat of paint might solve the problem. Could you offer suggestions on wall preparation, types of paint that are best to use or a Web site that we could explore to find this information? -- Richard P., Westbury

Why not lean on a nearby paint store for some advice? Your paneling might be wood, but then it could be a paper surface that has been manufactured to look and feel like wood. Painting a paper paneling with the wrong paint could cause surface crinkling or peeling. To be safe, take a spare piece of the paneling to a local paint specialty store. You are more likely to get the correct paint and primer once the surface can be identified. If you don't have a spare piece, a close-up photograph of the paneling might help with identification. Before applying any paint, first test it in an inconspicuous area. For thorough coverage, you'll likely need one coat of a primer and at least one top coat. Remember, too, that with today's improved line of painting products, home owners can try several different faux painting techniques. You might want to transform your old paneling into a surface that looks like leather or burlap. For some ideas on painting different surfaces and using color, visit the Paint Quality Institute (www.paintquality.com).