I painted mine without filling in the lines. It sort of looks like beadboard. I think filling the lines would be a really long process and the filling may eventually fall out. I would just prime it and paint it. YOU WILL LOVE IT!

Just paint it. You will love how it looks, and so will your DH.

Trying to fill in the lines will drive you insane.

although this was new construction, you can show him how it looks with the beadboard 'lines' showing. We have paneled trim around the sections. As for the paint, we used a really good SW semi-gloss paint on the walls, trimwork and risers. Unlike other stair risers in our previous homes, these aren't showing any tread marks where we go up the stairs.

Cameron

Don't bother filling in the lines -- simply paint the panelling! We have done this in several homes -- and the lines just help the walls resemble painted beadboard or barn-board.

For a visual "picture" for your DH -- tell him to think of a great old painted barn or very old home in Europe ((many old homes there have painted panelling!))

I had to persuade my own DH many years ago that painting the panelling would work well --- and the results were so great that HE now suggests that move to other guys! :)

It will open up the space so much, and you will be open to so many more possibilities! I think you'll be thrilled! If only there was a way to get him to agree to painting all of it!

agree w/the other posters
I just did this in our cottage in Maine -
The most important thing is prepping so that the paint will adhere properly & last
- Clean paneling w/TSP solution, I did give mine quick swipes w/sanding block, then use a good prime Zinser 1,2,3
- 2 finishing coats - I used BM - you will be "filling in" the lines w/paint as you go

Looking at the pics I just think you will LOVE the paint but if you don't do the ceiling will be disappointed - Any chance there is wallboard under the paneling??? If not, any chance you could hire a crew just to do the ceiling - ceiling work is HARD but a crew could set up scaffolding and have it done in no time!

Good luck

No, wallboard underneath. The bottom of the stair now used to be where the front door was (before we put on a 40' addition), so we've seen what is underneath.

If he likes the walls, we have some scaffolding and I don't mind doing the ceiling. I painted the new entry to the house (wallboard) and didn't mind the height. Just moving that stuff around and climbing it is the hard part.

I've been dying to change out the ceiling fan, so that will be a great opportunity to do that, too!

One more question for everyone. I had planned on leaving the horizontal beams alone, not painting them. What do you think? All the trim in the house is stained.

I am getting so excited about this!!

A friend of mine just bought a house and he found drywall behind the paneling in the living room - is there any chance of that behind yours?

It would be too busy for me to paint the beams separately - there's a lot of trim going on there.

Before you paint all those walls, maybe you could get an estimate from a professional and find out how much it would cost to paint the ceiling white.

I suppose it's personal preference, but I would paint the beams (the same color as the paint on the walls).

Paint the horizontal beams!

The walls and therefore the whole room will appear MUCH less "busy"!

And yes!!! IF you can paint the ceiling -- do it!

What a great space you've got, and I agree that painting the paneling is really going to transform it into something even better! I think I might go ahead and paint the beams as you do the walls. For one thing, it might make the whole painting process easier since you wouldn't have to worry about taping off/painting around the beams.

Paint it all. Don't leave the trim. Don't try to fill in the lines. The "beadboard" look it will have will still go with the horse ranch.

With that much panelling it is unlikely that there are nice walls underneath. One reason that people put up panelling and tin ceilings is that the walls were damamged.

A friend of mine bought a small restaurant. It was an older brick building. The interior was covered with panelling. They bought the building and were going to remove it, but then discovered that there was a huge amount of water damage from a leaking roof that had been repaired previously It was too expensive to put in new plaster walls. They painted all the panelling and it LOOKS GREAT.

You won't be sorry.

I can't wait to see the transformation!

Is there any way you can use a sprayer to do this? We did our familyroom and bedroom years ago, and it did take a loonnnng time. A fraction of what you have. I too would paint it all the same color, white ceiling, beams, and walls. When we did ours we had a spongy pointy roller thing on a handle and did all the lines first. That made it easier when we rolled on the rest. A big job but well worth it. Clean well and use a good primer. Post progress pics!!!

We just finished painting paneling and love the look. I thought about filling in the grooves and asked the experts at local BM paint store. One said he had filled in grooves at his house and after 4 coats of paint, he could still see groove marks. That decided it for me (plus fear of filler stuff falling out). We painted our room light green and it now has the feel of a cottage sunroom.

Atta Girl!!! I knew you could win him over!!! Didja wear something slinky?? Works every time, doesn't it? ;-)

Now, on to you questions.

1. DON'T fill in the paneling - it truly does add a wonderful texture when painted.

2. DO paint all the horizontal boards the same as the walls.

3. Wait on the ceiling if you must, but consider painting the paneling there and leaving those 'beams' dark - that might look good but I reserve final judgement till I see it. They might not have enough weight and mass to look right - might look wimpy, I can't tell.

4. Keep that thong handy for other projects where he needs a littel convincing!

I'm very happy for you that you convinced your DH to have the paneling painted. It will be a huge improvement. I would think once he sees part of it painted that he will agree for all of it to be painted.

The best way would be to remove the paneling and have sheetrock installed. If that isn't done, the next best thing would be to fill in the paneling grooves. That is time consuming. If they are properly filled in, you would never seen. If you don't fill in the grooves, it will still be a huge improvement over the way it is now but it will be painted paneling. Just painting the paneling is the quick and easy fix and it looks it. Painted paneling is never mistaken for beadboard. People don't install paneling to just paint it. People paint paneling because it was already there and they don't like it and want an easy fix.

You won a big victory. You have to decide how you want to proceed. Perhaps if you just quickly painted a small section your DH would realize how right you have been all this time and may go for installing sheetrock.

I did this in my first home. You will love it!! I used a creamy white.

One tip: Painting in sections, make sure you paint the grooves as you go. Use a brush in the grooves and then roll.

It will be beautiful!

Beadboard made a combeback secondary to all the painted paneling of the late 1980s and early 1990s. It is a great look when painted properly and adds a warmth and charm to a room. Don't cover the grooves. It will be just plain old wall without texture. JM (not so humble) opinion.

I speak from experience when I say, "DON'T FILL IN THE GROOVES." I filled in one eight ft wall and it took forever to get it right and then I had drywall mud dust everywhere.

The walls I just painted look great. You will need to use a brush to get it in the grooves perfectly. I would cut in like normal and then fill in the grooves. Lastly I would use a roller over the whole wall.
One of my walls I did six years ago and it still looks great.

I would try and do the ceiling at the same time.

"I filled in one eight ft wall and it took forever to get it right and then I had drywall mud dust everywhere."

You don't use drywall mud, joint compound, etc. You use a wood filler.

I agree with other posters, don't fill the grooves and am so glad DH is relenting! Can't wait to see your finished work.

Might I suggest that you hire a pro with scaffolding. Have them spray with a commercial primer so you don't have to clean the panelling. Then spray it all with the color of your choice probably would take at least two coats after the primer.

Don't bother with filling in the lines...spraying will get in all the grooves. As far as the beams go, maybe you could choose some of them to remain stained to break up the painted surfaces. Perhaps the ones on the ceiling

This will be alot faster and cleaner than DIY...safer as well.

We all look forward to the final result!

Its funny, I've been thinking about your lovely home ever since your first posting, hoping that you could bring your husband around to painting the paneling. I'm so glad he's willing! You'll be thrilled with the results. Have you discussed color at all? You may want to avoid a stark white, as that would be too much of a switch. A softer ivory white perhaps? I can't remember what color your kitchen walls were, although I remember the kitchen was absolutely gorgeous. I can't wait to see the "after" pictures when the painting is done.

"You don't use drywall mud, joint compound, etc. You use a wood filler."

Ack! That would take forever, cost a fortune, and asphyxiate you. Not to mention the toxic sanding job that would never be perfect.

Just paint it.

Please post photos when you're done!

Oh, that is great about painting the paneling.
I briefly looked at the site on your other pictures. Love that furniture!! Especially the brown/white cow looking things!! Oh, and that conversation leather sofa is very cool - wouldn't that be awesome in a big ole Texas size room!! Love that you already have horns on your walls!!

My aunt just had a chair done from Henredon - it is the coolest fabric. Kinda navajo but very classy. I looked on Henredon's site but they don't have all of their fabric. Do you have a store that sells Hendredon near you. She put it with a leather sofa - tufted back. Very good looking - yours could be opposite - leather chairs and that fabric - golds, greens, reds. She lives 2hours away or I would get you a pic.

I agree with everyone else - don't worry with filling it in. Keep it rustic.

Happy for you. Smiles:)

Oh! One other "solution" to the lines I had completely forgotten about. In my previous home, my foyer had one paneled wall (go figure). I had a guy paint and sponge the area. He used wall paper liner on the paneled wall. After painting no lines were visible at all.

Don't know the liner cost (long time ago and only one wall) but you may want to look into it.

Paint it and don't fill the grooves, and paint the beams, too...think of that great house in the Christmas movie "Holiday Inn"... :)

Wonbyherwits, I have such staircase envy.

This am I heard another way to paint the paneling on a BHG tv show. Get this: first paint the grooves one color with a brush, then use a roller and paint the paneling another complementary color.

Don't know about others, but, my reaction to this idea was ICK! Too much work for me.