What's the best way to prepare wood paneling before painting?

Valeria Medina
by Valeria Medina
It's a large room with three walls of nice varnished wood which we want to keep and paint light where we can still see the wood details.
Sample of what it looks like now.
  12 answers
  • Trudi Trudi on May 24, 2018

    I would lightly sand to get the varnish off and help the new paint to adhere.

  • GrandmasHouseDIY GrandmasHouseDIY on May 24, 2018

    I would clean it thoroughly with water and dish soap then run an electrical palm sander and fine grit sand paper over the entire thing before painting.

  • Mogie Mogie on May 24, 2018

    A light sanding. Then wipe down with a damp cloth and let dry before painting.

  • Leah Leah on May 24, 2018

    Use a degreaser, then sand. KrudKutter used full strength will somtimes cut the shine.

  • Heje Heje on May 24, 2018

    Use something like krudkutter to reduce the shine, sand lightly, prime and paint.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on May 24, 2018

    Using crud cutter has nothing to do with removing the finish.You will have to sand the varnish, clean,apply a primer, allow to dry and paint

  • Ginny Ginny on May 24, 2018

    Keep it...don't paint...once you paint, you have to repaint with every nick. I had knotty pine in my basement when I lived in the city and loved it. Easy to decorate with, easy to clean and lasts a lifetime.

  • Darlene Darlene on Jun 02, 2018

    Just paint it! I used Behr satin with primer...no problems..covered in one coat. Looks beautiful!

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Jun 02, 2018

    You need to remove the smooth finish that will cause the paint to curl up instead of adhere. I would buy a liquid sander (it comes in a bottle and you can buy it at any home improvement store in the paint department) and apply it liberally with an old t-shirt. Let dry. Then use a good primer coat. Let that dry. Then paint with a good quality wall paint.

  • William William on Jun 02, 2018

    Make sure the paneling is clean and dry. Lightly sand to remove any gloss. Prime with a good stain blocking primer like Zinsser 123 or BIN. Then paint like painting regular walls.

  • Bernadine Bernadine on Jun 02, 2018

    truthfully it's so beautiful I would not paint it. Just redo the one wall that is not covered with the wood and see if it doesn't change the rooms looks. You can make it your focal point.

  • Linda Linda on Jun 02, 2018

    I have seen the stain darkened on this type of paneling and it looked beautiful, but I know the goal is likely for a lighter room. I have two bedrooms of it and after living with it for 3 years its a bit depressing. I am told after sanding and cleaning it must be primed with an oil based primer. That is the only reason I havent already painted my rooms. I am sure after all the work this project will take you will have equal satisfaction. Good luck