Wood paneling is an artificial wall surface that mimics the look of wood boards.
Updating and modernizing a home sometimes means making decisions about deal with wood grain wall paneling. Once a popular look, wood paneling can now make a room look dated, and paneling with darker tones can actually cause a room to feel smaller. Replacing the paneling with Sheetrock, or drywall, is one option available for those dealing with old paneling. However, it is also possible to leave the paneling in place and give the existing surface the appearance of Sheetrock, saving you both time and money on the renovation.
Instructions
1. Remove the trim and baseboards from the walls that have paneling. Use a claw hammer to remove the trim by gently prying under the edge of the trim with the hammer's claws.
2. Pour 3 tbsp. liquid soap into a small bucket and fill with warm water. Mix the contents to dilute the soap, creating a soap-water solution. Wash the walls with the solution, using a soft sponge to do the cleaning. Give the surface a good cleaning to remove any dirt, dust or other debris, then allow the wall to dry.
3. Fill in the grooves. Notice that the wood paneling has vertical grooves spaced every few inches. The grooves are part of the design and are meant to add to the illusion of paneling looking like wood boards. Mix a small amount of drywall mud or use a pre-mixed compound to fill in these grooves. Get a small amount of mud on the end of a putty knife and spread it down the length of the groove. Repeat this process until all grooves have been filled. Wait at least two hours for the compound to dry completely.
4. Sand the surface of the drywall mud until it is even with the rest of the wall surface. Use a medium-grit sandpaper in the range of 180 to 200 grit and swipe it over the surface of the compound in a side-to-side motion.
5. Scuff the walls to create a surface that paint and primer can adhere to. Paneling is typically smooth and often has a glossy finish that prevents paint from maintaining a long-term hold. Use a rough-grit sandpaper ranging from 60 to 100 grit and rub down the entire surface of the wall to create scratches on the surface.
6. Rewash the walls using your sponge and soapy water. Clean the entire surface of the wall to wash away any sawdust that may have been generated by your sanding. Allow the walls to dry.
7. Remove any furniture or other items that may remain in the room, and cover the floor with a tarp or large piece of plastic. Spreading old newspaper across the floor also provides adequate protection from paint splatter.
8. Apply a coat of light grey primer to the wall. Painting over the wall with primer will prevent the wood grain patterns from bleeding through your final paint job. Allow two hours drying time before painting.
9. Use a paint roller to paint the surface of the wall with a coat of white paint. Allow two hours drying time and then apply a second coat of white paint. After drying, the newly painted walls will be smooth and resemble a fresh Sheetrock installation. You can now paint over the white with any color you choose, or leave the walls basic white.
10. Replace the baseboards and trim that were originally on the walls. If you wish to paint the trim, paint the boards and allow them to dry prior to replacing them. Since the original nails will still be in the trim, all you have to do is hold them in place and tap them lightly with a hammer or rubber mallet to secure them to the wall.
Tags: surface wall, Allow hours, Allow hours drying, coat white, coat white paint