How to Paint Wood Paneling Walls With Grooves

Wood paneling can give any room a warm, natural feeling. Unfortunately, removing wood paneling and installing new walls is expensive. When it’s time for a change, many people choose to paint over their wood paneling. 

Wood wall panels come in different varieties, from solid hardwood to barely-laminated paperboard. The cheapest of these will have no texture at all, but many wooden wall panels, both faux and real, contain grooves. This helps to add an element of authenticity, and when it comes time to paint, these grooves require special attention. 

The DIY Route

If you’re looking to paint over your walls yourself, you’ll need to know a few things before you begin. 

Surface Preparation

Simply painting over a wall with no preparation is a recipe for disaster. The first thing you need to do is carefully wash and dry the entire wall–use a rag and soapy water. 

For deep or tight grooves in the paneling, you may need to get a toothbrush and gently clean them. For best results, be sure and follow your cleaning rag immediately with a dry towel; this helps minimize the amount of moisture that gets into the paneling. 

It’s important to note that while sanding is recommended before painting real wood, you cannot sand faux wood. Once the panels are cleaned or sanded, you’ll want to apply a coat of primer. Once that is dry, you can move on to the painting. 

Painting

You want to paint the wall evenly, while carefully avoiding filling in the grooves. Shallow grooves can easily be filled by a single layer of paint, so tread carefully. Paint rollers can leave many grooves completely covered, while making an uneven mess of deeper or wider grooves. If you're wondering how to make wood panel walls look good, it's all about attention to detail.

Use brushes to ensure you only apply as much paint as is needed. For fine grooves, make sure to use a thin brush with a delicate touch. The same goes for the edges of larger grooves–with enough patience and effort, you can make a grooved wood wall look fantastic. 

Skip the Hassle

It’s also important to calculate the time and expense involved with purchasing paint and supplies. Modern laminate wood paneling has come a long way from its faux wood roots. Today’s engineered wooden panels are a technological marvel. Made of wood, resin, and a decorative layer, they can stand up to harsh environments while looking pristine.

Engineered wood panels are also easy to install. There is no need to remove the wall that is already in place. Simply screw mounting runners to the wall, and it is ready to hang your panels. Slide them into place, and you’re ready to go within minutes. 

All Your Wall Panels in One Place

Choosing a panel style couldn’t be easier at 27EStore. Our vast selection guarantees we’ll have the perfect option for your unique personality. 

We have wood styles to suit any modern taste; we also have laminate panels in any color or texture imaginable. Come see how 27EStore can transform your home from drab to fab in minutes!

Wondering how to whitewash wood paneling walls? Check out our latest post!