Home-renovation projects do not have to break the bank when you use paint in creative manners. If you’re looking at outdated wood paneling leftover from the 1970s, you do not have to split it off the walls and begin from scratch. An inexpensive coat of paint is often all you will need to bring your decor into the 21st century. Whether you’re handling hardwood veneer at a ranch home or knotty pine at a cabin, think about painting before undertaking a full-fledged wall renovation.
Wash the walls with a damp sponge and family detergent cleaner, such as dish-washing liquid. Wring out the sponge well; clean the walls, and rub them down with plain water. Allow them to dry fully.
Prepare your work area by laying drop cloths on the floor and taping the edges of baseboards, molding and the ceiling.
Paint the walls using water-based latex primer, which prepares slick surfaces so paint will adhere. Apply one or two coats — one coat is often enough, but in case you can still see brown beneath the surface, apply another coat.
Allow the primer to dry completely between coats. If you can, allow it to dry overnight before painting.
Paint the seams of the paneling using latex paint, using a thin paintbrush. You might want to apply two coats to fully fill in the irregular surface. It is not necessary to permit the seams to dry before painting the remainder of the wall.
Pour paint into a flat pan and then use a roller to apply it into the flat surface of the paneling. Allow the first coat to dry before applying another coat.