We want to repaint our 1970s wood-panelled rec room in New Westminster — can we paint directly on the panelling?

Yes, you can paint directly over wood panelling, but proper preparation is the difference between a finish that looks great for years and one that peels or looks obviously painted-over within months.

Wood-panelled rec rooms were everywhere in 1970s New Westminster homes, and painting them is one of the most cost-effective ways to modernize a space without a full renovation. The panelling in these homes is almost always thin hardboard or plywood with a wood-grain vinyl or paper overlay — not solid wood — and it responds well to paint when you follow the right sequence.

The preparation sequence matters more than the paint itself. Start by cleaning the panels thoroughly with a degreaser like TSP (trisodium phosphate) or a TSP substitute. Forty-plus years of rec room life means cooking smells, smoke residue, and general grime embedded in the surface — paint will not bond to any of that. After cleaning, lightly sand the entire surface with 120-grit sandpaper to scuff the glossy factory finish. This gives the primer something to grip. Fill the grooves between panels with a flexible paintable caulk or drywall joint compound — this is the step most DIYers skip, and it's what separates a smooth, modern-looking wall from one that still reads as panelling under the paint.

Primer is non-negotiable on this surface. The factory finish on 1970s panelling is typically a low-adhesion vinyl or melamine coating that regular paint will not stick to reliably. Use a bonding primer — Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 or Sherwin-Williams Extreme Bond are both widely available at Metro Vancouver paint suppliers and work well on this surface. One coat of bonding primer applied with a short-nap roller ($8–$12) will seal the surface and give your topcoat something to adhere to. If the panelling has a dark stain or strong wood tone showing through, a stain-blocking primer like Zinsser BIN (shellac-based) will prevent tannin bleed-through — a real risk with older wood-toned panels.

Your 1970s New Westminster home may have lead paint on other surfaces in the same room — trim, window frames, and doors painted before 1978 are likely candidates. If you're sanding any of those surfaces as part of this project, pick up a lead test swab ($15–$25 at most hardware stores) before you start. Sanding lead paint without precautions creates fine dust that is genuinely hazardous, particularly in an enclosed rec room. The panelling itself is less likely to contain lead since it was a factory-finished product, but the trim around it is worth testing.

For the topcoat, a premium 100% acrylic latex in an eggshell or satin sheen is the right call for a rec room. Eggshell hides surface imperfections — and older panelling has plenty — while still being washable. Benjamin Moore Regal Select or Sherwin-Williams Duration in eggshell ($65–$80 per gallon at Metro Vancouver retailers) will give you excellent coverage and durability. Expect to apply two coats. A 3/8" nap roller works well on the flat panels, with a brush for the grooves if you've left them unfilled.

One practical tip on the grooves: if you want a fully smooth wall, fill them with joint compound, let it dry completely, sand smooth, and prime before topcoating. If you're happy with a subtle texture, simply caulk the grooves and roll over them — the shadow lines will largely disappear under paint but won't be completely invisible. Either approach looks dramatically better than unpainted panelling.

This is a very manageable DIY project for a single room — cleaning, priming, and two coats over a weekend is realistic. If you're doing the whole basement or multiple rooms, or if the panelling has damage, water staining, or mould (common in New Westminster basements given the region's rainfall), a professional will get a cleaner result faster. Mould must be treated with a mould-killing solution and mould-resistant primer before any topcoat — never paint over it.

Need help finding a local painting professional for your New Westminster project? Vancouver Paint Contractors can match you with experienced contractors through the Vancouver Construction Network — free, with no obligation.