Get matched with top interior painters in Castroville, CA

Yes, you can paint most wall panels. In fact, many wall panels come unfinished, meaning you can stain or paint them in any color you choose. Unfinished wall panels are usually less expensive than finished panels, although you should consider the time it will take you to finish them yourself when deciding if the monetary savings are worth it. You can save some money on the labor of finishing your panels if you go the DIY route, though.

If your wall panel already has a stain or paint color on it, you can often paint over it as well. You'll just want to make sure you properly treat the area before painting.

Matching new paint with an old, faded color can be tricky. First, you’ll need to determine whether the paint on your house is latex-based or oil-based. Lightly scrub an inconspicuous area of your home with rubbing alcohol—if the alcohol scrubs away the paint, it’s latex-based. If not, the paint is oil-based. 

Once you have that settled, bring a paint chip or photo of the color to a paint professional and have them mix you a matching paint in the same base (latex or oil). Then paint another inconspicuous part of your house to see if it’s a match.

While painting can certainly change the look of a chimney, you should think twice about giving your brick chimney the old landlord special.

Painting brick is porous, meaning it’s full of tiny holes that can soak up moisture. Those holes also allow it to dry, though. So, when you paint it, you trap any moisture inside, providing an opportunity for mold, mildew, and water damage.

Paint also shows wear faster than naked brick. This means that once you paint a brick surface, you’ll have to keep painting it to maintain a clean look. A paint job is also harder to undo on brick because of its porous nature. Once you paint it, it’s hard to go back without some serious power washing—another added cost.

The length of time it takes to paint a house will depend on whether you’re doing it yourself or hiring a pro, and the time of year in which you’re planning to do it. A professional paint company can likely complete the job within three to four days, but they may need more time to account for bad weather. By contrast, it may take a week or more when opting to DIY.