- Painting panelled walls

Dear Shell,

We have paneled (knotty pine I think) walls in the bedroom in our house (about 40 years old) which we would like to cover. A few years ago the paneling was oiled to bring out the grain in the wood. We feel the most economical thing to do would be to paint it, but would that mean filling all those grooves with polyfill and would we need to put multiple coats of paint on to cover the dark wood? We also thought of wallpapering, but that's probably more expensive. Which is the best option and what procedures should we follow to modernize and brighten the room?

Thanks, Jim

Dear Jim,

Painting would be the easiest. Wash walls with my Shell Busey's Home Cleaning Formula (available at Save On Foods and most building supply stores) and rinse well. Apply a Fast Dry Alkyd Primer for the first coat. Paint grooves with brush and roll the surfaces. For second and third coat use Acrylic latex in the colour of your choice. If you want to wallpaper you would be required to drywall tape and fill then prime and wallpaper.

It's just that easy.

Article courtesy of: Shell Busey