Nah, paint would look tacky. I plan to stain it at some point or another. Heat has been perfect by the way. I thought about putting pegboard, or something without holes on the back and sides. But decided against it because to me flexwatt really doesn't generate hardly any ambient heat. Maybe a tiny bit, but not much. You would have to do a really awesome job sealing the back and sides to up really make a difference. (IMO a difference is at least 5-7 degrees)
The room it's in stays a constant 74'F