How do we paint over paneling? Can't take down, nothing behind it.

First determine whether it's worth painting. If it's cheap luan or printed wood grain and it's warped so doesn't sit flat on the wall then it will look horrible painted and you might as well take it off and dry wall or panel with something nicer. I lived with horrible paneling for years because of that issue, paint would have shown off the flaws and we weren't up to pulling it off and redoing the wall at the time. Paint doesn't help any if the paneling is poorly installed!

If paneling is worth painting then wash and dry it to remove dust and any greasy buildup. Patch any gouges or small holes with spackle. Give it a light sanding with 120-220 grit sandpaper so the primer can get a grip and level the patches. Dust well and prime with a stain blocking primer. I've been using Zinsser 123 Bin this summer and no stains or knots are showing through my repurposed wood projects. Sand very lightly with 220 grit after primer is dry to remove dust then dust and paint as you please.

The first thing you want to do is clean the surface and then either prime it with a good primer or use a paint/primer combination made for wood paneling. Satin finish would probably be best since it will show fewer imperfections.

We did! A coat of Kilz first then painted with our chosen color. We covered the ugly brown with a light light green. Sure lightened the room up. Good luck!

U have to use kilz first or something similar or use paint with primer in it. If the paneling has a glossy finish, it would be better to sand it a lil with fine sandpaper just so paint will adhere better. But you can try painting w/o sanding to see if it adhere!

Paint with kilz then apply paint

your local paint store will recommend the best for.your area. but most primer paInt combos will work.

Wipe/was panels with TSP, let dry overnight. Prime with Zinsser Bull Eye-1-2-3 waterbase primer, made by Rust-Oleum. Then paint colour you want.

perfect answer from Kathyy.... be sure to caulk or spackle each of the seams and nail heads... and pound any nail heads that have Popped , in an fill in indents. so you have a smooth surface before priming and painting. I suggest using a flat or satin finish, the more shine you have the more the flaws will show up,

Instead of sanding , you can wipe it down as you go with DeGlosser

Wash it, prime it ,paint it.

Sand it lightly to provide a surface paint will stick to. Then use a primer. Then paint.

Gripper paint works well. My old coworker painted hers robin egg blue after we spoke about it and was so pleased!