Do It Yourself: Painting paneling can result in regret

Q. Our living room has dark wood paneling that we would like to brighten. Should we paint or wallpaper it, and how do we do it?

A. Painting is easiest, but the results might not be as satisfying. In either case, you should start by making sure the edges of the panels are firmly attached to the wall. Use more nails if necessary to get a firm surface that won’t flex.

Next, clean the paneling with a well-wrung-out sponge and a solution of detergent such as Mr. Clean or Top Job. Dry each panel as you clean it, and let the entire surface dry thoroughly before proceeding.

Some people try to smooth the surface of the panels by filling the small grooves with spackling compound and sanding. This is a messy and tedious job and I don’t recommend it. What’s more, some of the spackling is likely to fall out in time because of expansion and contraction of the wood.

To paint, first roll on a coat of a stain-killer primer such as Kilz or Bulls Eye 1-1-2. When that is dry, apply the finish coat of acrylic wall paint. The panels will still look like panels, but will have a bright, fresh appearance.

Wallpapering is more complicated. Some textured, thick-bodied wall coverings can be applied directly to the paneling; check with an experienced wallpaper dealer to see what is available.

If you want to use a regular wallpaper, you should cover the paneling first with a wallpaper liner, a thick material that will span the gaps and grooves in the panels and give a smooth finish.

Q. I have a painted brick fireplace that I want to redecorate with stucco. What is the best way to go about this? Should I first sandblast or use a paint remover?

A. I think you will need to remove the paint so the stucco will bond directly to the bricks. If you attempt to stucco the fireplace with the paint in place, there will probably be some cracking and peeling as the paint deteriorates.

There are several paint removers that will do the job, but you should be sure to choose a paste-type or gel-type stripper that clings to the bricks.

A stripper that should work well is Peel Away. This is spread on the surface, then covered with paper. After allowing the stripper to work, the cover is peeled off, taking the stripper and presumably much of the paint with it. For information, visit www.peelaway.com.

Another good choice for the remover is paste-type Strypeeze. You can extend the working time of this popular stripper by draping the fireplace with plastic sheets.

Be sure to cover up or mask any surfaces that could be damaged by the stripper or residue.

Sandblasting would be faster, but might damage the bricks and mortar.

If the paint is very old, you should check it for lead before doing anything. Test kits are sold at some home centers and on the Internet (use a search engine and the words Lead Test Kits).

For information on dealing with lead paint, visit www.epa.gov/lead/.

Q. We bought a new bathroom vanity made of particleboard with a plastic coating. The odor from the particleboard is affecting my allergies. What can we do about this?

A. Most vanity cabinets and many other types of inexpensive furniture bought at home centers are made of particleboard with a plastic coating called melamine. In many cases, only the visible surfaces are finished or coated, leaving interiors bare.

The bare surfaces often “outgas,” or emit fumes from chemicals used in the particleboard. Fortunately, manufactures have improved particleboard in recent years to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals, but some outgassing can still occur.

As you have discovered, these emissions can irritate nasal passages and lungs, and can be especially troublesome to those who have respiratory problems. The chemicals used, according to studies, can include formaldehyde, benzene and acetone.

Outgassing usually lessens over time. The best bet, short of removing the particleboard, is to apply a finish to the bare surfaces. A couple of coats of shellac will help lock in the offending emissions.

Obviously, when possible, buy furniture made of solid wood or other comparatively harmless materials.