Suggestions for painting wood panels

15 years ago

We just bought a house that has dark wood panelled walls in the family room and the basement. We can't afford to drywall both areas so we're planning on painting the basement wood panelled walls with BM's Aura paint.

What's the best way to do this?

If we use Aura, do we still need to use primer to do this job?

Thanks in advance!

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (4)

Ina Plassa_travis
15 years ago
depends on the panelling -

if it's picture-of-wood on masonite, primer will save you a bundle because it will keep the panelling from sucking up five times its weight in paint.

if it's actual wood, the heavier the finish on it, the more a primer would serve. if it's finished so heavily that the grain is obscured, scuffing the whole wall with a 3M pad before priming wouldn't be a bad idea.

if it's 70's vintage knotty pine...this is a place where I cheat like hell, and 'prime' the knots with automotive spray prime, then prime over the whole thing.

can you tell I'm a fan of prime?

the 'best' way to paint also depends on the sort of panelling, but in general, a smooth-nap roller and a 2" angled trim brush are your best bets.
richardkittyhawk
15 years ago
If this is the old knotty pine or knotty cedar that has been varnished, I would prime using Cover Stain primer after a light sanding(don't break a sweat or you are sanding too much) and thorough cleaning, probably wiping it down with a liquid sandpaper as I painted, and then I would topcoat with your choice of paint(either eggshell or satin for washability). Don't use anything less than a 3/8" nap roller, preferably a SuperFab or ProDooz by Wooster(Purdy White Dove 3/8" nap also works) and a small 1 1/2 or 2 inch angle brush. I would brush the grooves with primer before rolling the paneling to ensure that the grooves are properly coated.
Related Discussions
Family room- Painting Brick Fireplace and wood paneling
Q
Comments (6)
Some folks had me paint their fireplace similar to yours. Painted the brick red and cut the grout joints in with grey. Imo, it looked real fake and kinda funky. Of course the paint job itself was class A-1! :-) They were happy with it so i guess that's all that mattered. You couldn't see it from my house! If you decide to paint it, you might consider painting brick & grout joints all one color, monotone. Painting the grout joints to look like grout joints is a chore and is time consuming. It just doesn't cut it,imo.
...See More
Painting wood paneling
Q
Comments (16)
Really depends on what you like, how you want the space to feel and your budget and energy for the space. Painting is one option; another is whitewashing the panels. Btw, if this is the sort of thing you care about, I'm spotting more and more wood-panelled rooms in decorating magazines these days. Solid wood walls can provide a warm coziness to a room and I'd be inclined to keep them (or some?) in a lake cabin as long as they didn't compete with the flooring or suck out the light from the rooms. The furniture pieces would need to be light for airiness and contrast. (I'm quite fond of warm wood paired with white.) Agree with Patricia that your space could probably use more lighting. Here are some panelled rooms for inspiration. Just to give you colour palette ideas. And here's an Elle Decor slideshow on rustic living rooms with many of them featuring wood panelling. A Style at Home feature on a wood-panelled cabin. Muskoka cottage Scroll down to the office with cypress walls in this House Beautiful feature on a Bahamian house Matthew Carter did for another take on wood-panelled walls. These walls are much lighter than yours but still, it's a modern nod to vintage rec rooms. Good luck with your decision!
...See More
Advice on painting timber wood paneling in hallway
Q
Comments (2)
The prep work will be considerable if this is a DIY or quite expensive if you hire out. Should take considerably more time than the painting honestly.
...See More
When painting interior SW Alabaster- ceiling, paneling, trim, wood
Q
Comments (9)
All Alabaster trim looks great with Alabaster walls, but potentially can become a real headache down the line if you are likely to fancy whiter, more neutral wall colours. For the trim then is more colourful, less neutral than the walls which may limit some choices.(not a problem if more neutral whites are unlikely) FOR ceilings suggest either Alabaster or Delicate White or Extra White. Delicate White or Extra White & Alabaster have enough difference in Chroma (colorfulness) that the walls would not appear dingy by comparison. Which option you choose depends upon how much contrast you enjoy between wall and trim. Even Alabaster will offer subtle contrast when painted in a different sheen on the trim, the other suggestions will show a stronger contrast and feel more crisp. Ceilings painted the same colour as the walls can often look a little darker and more greyed by comparison. actual Ceiling paint can appear very stark in some lighting.
...See More
ci_lantro
15 years ago
Be sure you scrub the paneling first. Chances are that someone sometime used Pledge, furniture polish...
polly929
14 years ago
We painted our old knotty pine paneling also. I washed it with TSP (trisodium phosphate), then primed the knots with kilz, then we used a paint sprayer. Brightened the place up beautifully and now the walls have a nice texture.

Related Stories

PAINTING Knotty to Nice: Painted Wood Paneling Lightens a Room's Look

By No. 29 Design

Children ran from the scary dark walls in this spare room, but white paint and new flooring put fears and style travesties to rest

Full Story

146

How to Update Cozy Wood Paneling

By Natalie Myers

See how to give fresh life to once-retro woodsy wall coverings

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES Tongue and Groove Wall Paneling Joins the Comeback Club

By Rachel Grace

Try this smooth architectural move to give your walls a streamlined appearance that conveys quality

Full Story

HOUZZ TOURS Houzz Tour: Nature Suggests a Toronto Home’s Palette

By Annie Thornton

Birch forests and rocks inspire the colors and materials of a Canadian designer’s townhouse space

Full Story

Painted Paneling for Straight-Up Style

By Kristy Woodson Harvey and Beth Woodson

Brush away boring wood boards. A color makeover can give your paneling, and your home, new charm and flair

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES Heighten a Room With Vertical Tongue and Groove Wall Paneling

By Rachel Grace

Visually increase space while upping architectural interest by giving your walls this texturally rich treatment

Full Story

DECORATING GUIDES Beautiful Details: Wainscoting and Paneled Walls

By Janell Beals - House of Fifty

Paneled Walls Add Substance and Style to Both Modern and Traditional Homes

Full Story

REMODELING GUIDES Panelled Walls Dress Up Your Living Space

By User

Versatile Wood Updates and Enriches Rooms of Any Style

Full Story

GREEN BUILDING Efficient Architecture Suggests a New Future for Design

By Spry Architecture

Homes that pay attention to efficient construction, square footage and finishes are paving the way for fresh aesthetic potential

Full Story

WALL TREATMENTS Expert Opinion: What’s Next for the Feature Wall?

By Janet Dunn

Designers look beyond painted accent walls to wallpaper, layered artwork, paneling and more

Full Story

Suggestions for painting wood panels

Comments (4)

Ina Plassa_travis

richardkittyhawk

Related Discussions

ci_lantro

polly929

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US