What is the best way to cover paneling; paint or remove all together?

remove

I have done both and neither is too difficult. I think it depends on what kind of finished look you're hoping for

I have painted over it... using on of the more expensive spackleing compounds, as the cheaper ones will crack..... sanding lightly and painted over it.... did this a years ago, and still looks good today.....

I really did not complete that very well.... use the spackleing compound in the grooves..... also, used a primer, than a good paint....

Hi, If it were me, I would paint over it. I would leave the grooves too! You never really know what you're going to find behind it! Here's some pictures of painted paneling: https://www.google.com/search?q=painting+over+paneling+before+and+after+pictures&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjito3ZoovVAhUCRyYKHTs9C04QsAQIJQ&biw=1600&bih=794

Good luck!

Prime with Kilz first then paint (after cleaning them with TSP). I have painted my paneling and it works great and is easier than removing.

I have had painted panelling for years, and it looks cottage-y and has held up. I used steel wool and a generic Liquid Sandpaper (deglosser), which I then wiped down with a damp cloth. It removed the old wax, finish and dirt. The painter used a Sherwin Williams primer and then an acrylic top coat.

I painted other panels myself, using the deglosser, Zinsser BIN 123 (red label shellac-based) primer, and acrylic paint.

One suggestion I can make based on experience, is don't use the cheapest latex paint. It is more elastic, and tends to take longer to cure and it shrinks, so more touch-ups are needed. It is a pain, because you think you have finished, and you keep having to go back and "tweak" the finish. I find the 100% acrylic (sometimes called acrylic-latex) paint is better on panelling.

I live a home built in 1920. When I moved in 30 years ago, the bedrooms paneling had already been painted over. No one realizes that it's painted paneling until I tell them. The kitchen is the same, although it doesn't have the wide groves . Painting is the least expensive option if you live in an older home and don't want to replace the walls. have plaster, not sheetrock. If you decide to paint, thoroughly clean the paneling and apply a good quality primer before using a good quality paint.

It was more than 7-8 years ago, I don't remember that detail... I do remember it was more expensive than the other compoundos, and I am sure I got it from Lowes.... the labe did say something about not cracking, but it wasn't regular drywall compound either, I have use both.... this product was/is far better..... if you check lowes you should be able to find something..... in the meantime, I will look a bout the internet to see if I see something familiar..... BTW, I did my upper wall, with beadboard on the bottom, with moulding in between..... I have always liked it.... :)

I was surffing about the net, most, if not all, say to use drywall compound.... it just seems to me there was an additive used to help in with the prevention of cracking...... but I'm not sure what it was.... My mind just keeps going back to "it was a bit more expensive", I would remember this, as I am disabled, and have to do most things myself, and lesser cost is what I can afford.... but with the wall, I didn't want to have to do it a second time, so spent the bit extra...... really, that's the best I can tell you, good luck.... maybe you can post a pic when you're finished...

You take down the paneling and you don't know what is behind it. Could open up a whole can of worms you have neither the money or expertise to deal with. If you paint and leave the grooves it will look like wainscoting. If so, painting the trim piece the same color is the way I'd go along with painting the top a different color. Filling in the grooves will take time and can be hard to get perfectly smooth effect.

I painted some old paneling in our home almost identical to this. I will advise you to put at least 2 coats of a good primer (we used Kilz) then a good paint with a built in primer. It's quicker and cheaper than drywalling. It brightened our space up nicely.

We painted our ugly, 60s-era paneling, leaving the grooves. We did prime it first because it was so dark, then used a good paint in a light color. We chose to paint the doors, too, in a nice contrasting color, and it came out looking great, almost as if we had installed a light-wood paneled wall.

In another room, we removed paneling, only to find that it had been nailed and glued to the walls, and most of the trim molding had been removed at the ceiling and baseboards. We had to replace the drywall, and install all new trim. It was a big job.

I was encouraged to do the paint job by my brother, who painted his very old knotty-pine kitchen white because the room was so dark. He too had great results.