Primed and Ready to Paint Over Paneling

Question: Several years ago, I paneled three rooms with low-priced paneling in a dark shade. Now I would like to paint the paneling a lighter color to brighten the rooms. Will this require a special paint? What treatment, if any, should I give the paneling prior to painting? Should I use a brush or a roller?

Answer: Prior to painting, the walls should be cleaned thoroughly. If these are kitchen or bathroom walls, they may have become coated with grease or scum. Wash them down with a detergent solution on a nearly dry cloth to remove the coating without delaminating the paneling.

If the walls are dry, make sure they are dust-free to avoid lumps in the paint job. They should then be covered with an oil-based paint primer--one that will not allow the stain on the panels to bleed through. Some stains contain a dye that can be dissolved by paint or primer and dark stains like yours can show through the primer coat.

Before priming, try out a small, obscure area to see if the stain bleeds through. If it doesn’t, then prime all the walls using either brush or roller. Let the primer coat dry completely before applying the finish coat because even slightly damp primer cannot seal properly. Once the walls are sealed with primer, put on the finish coat of your choice.

If the stain does bleed through the primer, you will have to use a stain-suppressing primer. There are several brands of these.

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Q: I live in a condominium that is 17 years old. The glass and screen doors have become a major problem, and the owners are getting conflicting information on how to keep them opening and closing smoothly. The doors lift up and pull out, but most of us are not strong enough to do this. What is the best way to maintain them?

A: Once the doors are no longer sliding smoothly, get someone to lift them out of their track. Then clean around the bottom wheels. Over the years, hair, dust and dirt accumulate around the wheel bearings, constricting them.

If the doors slide smoothly, the best way to maintain them is to keep the channel track that they slide in clean by periodically brushing them out or vacuuming them with a narrow nozzle. Wipe out any remaining grit with a damp sponge, dry the channels, then lubricate them with powdered graphite or a silicone spray.

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Q: A while ago, I read of a new type of skylight that resembles a pipe vent on the roof. It looks a lot like recessed ceiling lights. I recall that the article said it acted like a periscope. Even though small, it gives more light than the conventional skylight, the manufacturer claims. Can you tell me more about this item?

A: The item you are referring to is called the Sola Tube. It has a curved roof-mounted reflector, a 10-inch-diameter mirrored transfer tube and a prismatic light diffuser at the bottom of the tube to spread the light evenly. Sola Tubes are available in lengths up to 10 feet and cost about $315 installed.

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To submit a question, write to Popular Mechanics, Reader Service Bureau, 224 W. 57th St., New York, N.Y. 10019. The most interesting questions will be answered in a future column.