How to Paint Beadboard Paneling

Beadboard paneling is a decorative wall covering featuring a tongue and groove pattern. This textured pattern adds visual interest but complicates the process of painting the paneling. A paint roller only applies paint to the surface of the beadboard, leaving the grooves unpainted, which results in a streaked effect. Care must be taken to paint the interior of these grooves and give the beadboard paneling a uniform coat of paint. If you are installing new paneling, complete the installation process before you begin painting.

Clean and dry the beadboard paneling before you begin painting to remove any dirt or grease, which may prevent the paint from properly adhering to the paneling.

Apply painter's tape to the edge of the beadboard paneling's trim if you wish to paint the trim a different color. Skip this step if you are painting the trim the same color as the paneling.

Paint the grooves in a 2-foot wide section of the beadboard paneling with a 2- to 3-inch chip brush and interior latex paint. Move the brush up and down to paint vertical grooves or back and forth to paint horizontal grooves.

Apply the same latex paint to the entire surface of the same 2-foot-wide section of the beadboard paneling with a foam paint roller. Paint the trim at this time if you did not cover it with tape.

Continue to paint all of the beadboard paneling in sections by first painting the grooves with a brush, then painting the surface with a roller.

Apply a second coat of paint using only a foam paint roller when the first coat is dry.

Peel away the tape when the second coat of paint is dry.

Apply painter's tape directly above and below the unpainted trim.

Paint the trim with a foam paint roller. Allow the paint to dry and apply a second coat of paint to the trim.

Peel away the painter's tape when the trim paint is dry.