Can paneling be painted and if so is there prep work that needs to be?
Maybe 30 years old and it doesn't look like there was any type of maintenance done.
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You just remove the finish, prime and sand and paint it, Have seen it redone with pickling which looks like white watered down paint, which shows any wood grain if you have nice paneling, if cheap solid paint, and was gorgeous. I painted paneling, I just washed it, but the right way is to sand it down, if you are just covering cheap paneling you sand any imperfections, fill holes with wood filler, wash it, then prime and paint, or use paint that has primer in it. This probably is not the best suggestion, but once I was cleaning for this women and she had me mix ammonia and fantastic, half and half, you want plenty of ventilation. Then sprayed it on and on real wood cabinets, the older ones, if you use a steel wool pad it softens the finish and very fine steel wool removes and gunk, and when done its like new, only you would put either another stain, which usually color remains, mostly you just put a protective application on it, or stain darker etc. Don't ask me anything as I probably won't see it. We did my friends cabinets with this method and they looked new, and also I have done old furniture also like that, mostly stuff probably with varnish, not polyurithane
It is possible to paint over paneling with a minimum of prep. I use a deglosser to clean, sand and paint. It looks really nice when done.
Yes paneling can be painted! Easier than you think too.
https://www.bhg.com/decorating/home-accessories/wall-art/how-to-paint-wood-paneling/
https://www.todayshomeowner.com/video/how-to-paint-paneling/
By the way if its Knotty pine, I hate seeing it removed, it's alot of work to strip it, cause it usually has beading or grooves in it, but if you do a wash of white, so the grain and knots show, it will be a show stopper.
I guess you cannot edit here, but best to just search online for how to clean, or refresh or paint, paneling, and type in what kind you have, cheap, or knotty pine, etc, plenty of great instructions and pictures online
If it were me, I would fill in any grooves with putty, lightly sand all surfaces, prime, then paint.
When I painted mine, I just took a broom and swept off the spider webs, then used a good paint with primer in it. (Behr) My mom paints the same way, and I used to think she didn't know what she was doing, but it holds up just fine, and it's a lot less work.