Q: I recently painted the inside of a freezer that had some scratches and stains. I scrubbed it down with a cotton cloth, wiped with mineral spirits, and applied appliance epoxy paint. In hindsight, I realize that I neglected to abrade the inside prior to painting. I was hoping you might know whether the paint will adhere, and if not, what I can do to correct my mistake.

A: I’ve never heard of anyone painting the inside of a refrigerator, and I assume that doing so would require paint that was food-safe and nontoxic, and I don’t think what you used meets either of those requirements. I’m publishing your question to see if any reader knows the answer to this question.

Q: Short of removing the paneling, how can I cover paneled walls?

A: You can cover them with drywall or fabric, of course, but you may be asking about painting them. If you just paint them without the proper prep work, you’ll still know they are painted no matter how many coats you use.

As usual, I turn to the Paint Quality Institute in Spring House, Pa., for advice: Wash the surface using detergent and warm water; rinse thoroughly. Lightly sand the surface with fine grit (No. 220) garnet paper, to dull any gloss, and to provide maximum adhesion of the primer and paint; wear eye protection and a dust mask. Wipe down the surface with damp rags. Priming is necessary for adequate adhesion and uniformity of sheen and hiding.

Use a stain-blocking latex primer that is recommended for interior use. Maximum adhesion and stain blocking are available with alcohol-based or alkyd stain-blocking primer. Wear eye protection and an appropriate respirator and provide ample ventilation. Do not leave a primer unpainted. For best dirt resistance, durability, and cleanability, use a top-of-the-line interior latex wall paint in eggshell or satin finish, depending on the appearance desired. A satin finish will provide better dirt and stain resistance.