Can you fill the lines in paneling grooves?
You will need to use joint compound (also called drywall mud) or spackle to fill in all the grooves in the paneling to meet the rest of the surface.
- Mark the paneling seam with a pencil.
- Move the sheet of paneling out of the way.
- Spray black spray paint on the seam along the pencil line.
- Install the paneling on the wall.
So, how do you make wood paneling look like drywall? Fill in the gaps in the wood paneling using joint compound then sand the surface when dry to smooth out any uneven areas. Apply a paint primer and allow it to dry, then paint the walls with a color of your choice.
How To Paint Wood Paneling - Ace Hardware - YouTube
To cover up the grooves in the wall, apply a layer of drywall mud to the paneling. After the drywall mud is applied, you can leave it as it is, or paint the wall as you please for a fresh new look.
If you plan on covering paneling with fresh drywall, you can stick mesh drywall tape over the seams to hide them. Spread joint compound over the tape before painting. Repeatedly painting over paneling won't cover the seams. They have to be filled in first or have paint underneath them to effectively stay hidden.
Hiding a wood seam - YouTube
Drywall mud will stick to wood paneling once it's deglossed. But, unfortunately, it won't stick to glossy or painted wood paneling. You may also have a problem with drywall mud cracking if your wood paneling has gaps in it that are greater than ¼ inch wide.
- Sand the paneling lightly to dull the gloss.
- Wipe any sanding dust off with a damp cloth.
- Fill in the paneling grooves with joint compound.
- Allow the joint compound to dry.
- Apply additional coats of joint compound, if needed.
Skim-coating involves spreading several layers of drywall joint compound directly over the paneling, scraping it flat and sanding it to a smooth finish. To prepare the paneling for this treatment, you have to clean it thoroughly and then apply a coat of stain-blocking primer, which helps the joint compound to adhere.
Is wood paneling coming back?
But now wood paneling is back. People are finding clever ways to use it in a variety of modern styles. With some sleek geometry, creative stylings and light colors, wood paneling fits well into the updated, modern space.
- Sand the paneling lightly to dull the gloss.
- Wipe any sanding dust off with a damp cloth.
- Fill in the paneling grooves with joint compound.
- Allow the joint compound to dry.
- Apply additional coats of joint compound, if needed.
How to Choose and Use Wood Filler | This Old House - YouTube
The technique that drywall finishers use to smooth an uneven wall or one that has an unwanted texture is called skim coating, and it can be used to cover old wood paneling. All-purpose joint compound, or mud, is a suitable material, but it's important to de-gloss the paneling before applying it or it won't stick.
Go Light with the Putty Knife!
Resist the urge to slather on the joint compound to try to save time. Not only will it crack and look awful, but the wet putty will soak into your paneling, causing it to permanently swell and warp.