·    To begin, thoroughly clean and vacuum all the wainscoted surfaces. A good Shop Vac can remove all the small particles from cracks and crevices. Then use a tack cloth to wipe over the entire surface to remove any fine dust.  

·    Primers should seal the surface and be compatible to the finish paint so the two will bond well together. The primer can be tinted to be similar to the finish color which will improve coverage. A sealing primer may be necessary to seal any knot holes to prevent sap stains from showing in the future as the wood ages.  

·    When the primer is dry, some cracks will need to be filled to improve the appearance of the finished project. Caulk and repair any imperfections in the surfaces. Caulk adheres better to a primed or painted surface than bare wood, so it is best to prime first and caulk after. I recommend using an acrylic caulk to fill any cracks, joints and seams.  If any knots still bleed through after the primer is applied use shellac or shellac based pigmented primer to seal them.

·    After the primer and caulk is dry sand the surfaces.  The primer is slightly gritty after it dries which requires a light sanding for the beat finished results. A sanding sponge is great for this project.

·    If a lot of sanding is necessary, place a fan in the window to help exhaust the dust. Always wear a protective face mask to cover your nose, mouth and eyes when sanding.  

·    After the final sanding, vacuum clean the surfaces. For a finish coat of paint, use a Sherwin-Williams or Benjamin More oil-based enamel for best results. The number of finish coats needed will depend on the type of primer and paint that is used, the paint color and the methods and experience of the painter. Usually two coats are needed to build up a uniform finish and have a professional looking finish.