Best Paint for Paneling

DBentley asks,

I own a few older rental homes with wall paneling in their interiors. My tenants constantly ask if they can paint the paneling to brighten up the rooms. I would love to to say yes – or even paint it myself – but is that a bad idea? If I can paint it, what kind of paint should I use?

Our Answer

Paneling's not too hard or expensive to paint – and, to your tenants' point, can make a world of difference in a space. Just make sure to prep the paneling beforehand using a quality oil-based primer.

Sheen is personal preference,but the sheen you choose can also make a huge difference in the final product. Resullts will probably turn out best using a flat paint or semigloss – but definitely not gloss. Gloss will reflect every ridge and imperfection.