wallpaper pattern imbedded in wood panels?

[Mary]

In our 1974 home, I am removing some wallpaper in the bathroom and wish to paint these walls. Much to my surprise, when I removed the wallpaper, underneath is a horrid flowery pattern (the same pattern that is behind the kitchen cabinets) that appears to be imbedded into the wood slats which make up the walls.

Is this possible? There's nothing I can scrape off, it seems, or tear off.

Assuming they did find a way to imbed this pattern into the wood slats of the wall, can I primer over and then paint?

I imagine I should use a very good quality primer and a very good quality paint, which I plan to do, but the surface (so far) does not feel very smooth like a wall would. Will the primer add this smoothness?

Any advice would be appreciated.

[mac]

Yes, you might wish to paint with a textured paint - Behr makes several varieties which are carried at Home Depot. The pattern is probably stamped into the paneling, yes? If so, this may or may not work. Alternatively, you could get some drywall mud and a drywall spatula, and fill it in.

[rmurray]

Sounds like a brand I sold in those days...had a basic white panel with green flowers printed on them...

Talk to your paint store pro for good advice....

[David Oxhandler]

Visit our book store and get the details on the 20 minute videoPainting and Texturing Paneled Walls By following the steps in this video, your paneled walls will look darn near like textured sheetrock. Works on both wood paneling and vinyl-covered paneling or sheetrock.