Is there any way to fix paneling so you can't see the lines after you paint it?

Question

Every room in our new house has paneling except one. Out house is old so there isn't even any drywall under it, so taking the paneling down is not an option. I don't like the way painted paneling looks due to the lines. Is there something I can do to prep. it so after I paint it will just look like a regular wall?

Answer 1

Yes, I've had to do this and it is a little work intensive but it's worth it.

Fill in the spaces between the paneling with spackle. Make sure it is nice and smooth and the next day, after it has all dried, lightly sand it and make it as smooth and even as possible. Use a "tack cloth" to wipe down the walls after this to make sure you get all the sanding residue off.

The local wallpaper store sells special wallpaper that you can then hang up that will seal the paneling. You can either wallpaper over this special wallpaper (don't forget to use wallpaper primer first) or if you want to paint, use a water based sealant and then whatever other paint you want to use in the room.

It is labor intensive but worth it to get rid of the paneling lines.

Answer 2

There's several things you can do. The time you spend will be reflected in the quality of your completed job. But, the plus side is, It,s fairly inexpensive.

You can use joint compound to fill the grooves. Just use a putty knife and spread in along the grooves trying to keep it as smooth as possible.

Then after that dries, thin some of the joint compound, about like waffle batter. You need to stir up the mixture. A regular kitchen type mixer will work. I only use one mixer blade though. Using a paint roller, roll it on your walls creating a light texture. Sort of like orange peel.

Joint compound will stick to anything. But, it will also clean off anything too. It's one of the few user friendly products. Practice with the roller until you get the texture you're happy with.

To get into the corners where a roller won't reach, use a paint brush. Load the brush and pat or dab the areas with the side of the brush.

If you feel real brave, after you seal the grooves, you can rent a texture machine and spray the entire room in about thirty minutes. Again, using nothing but joint compound. It's pre-mixed and you can get it at any lumber yard.
Good Luck

Answer 3

Use drywall joint compound and smooth it on right over the paneling and you will get textured walls. Note: do not use it on wallpapered walls. I used it on my bathroom walls which were paneled. Or, I have seen paneling removed, drywall put up, compound put on to texture the walls by professionals and it turned out very nice. After this you need to wait 21 days for it to set and age, prime it and then paint it.

Answer 4

Can it be removed easily? The opposite side is usually flat. The only issue is if you have irregular walls and then turning the panels around they no longer fit the same way. You will still need to fill in the space inbetween the sheets of paneling.

Answer 5

Take spackle.. The stuff to fill holes in drywall and fill in all of the gaps. Be sure to use a trol (a flat tool with a handle also used as a scraper). It will create a smooth surface to paint.

Good Luck!! :)

Answer 6

You can use drywall joint compound. Trowel it in the cracks, allow to dry, and then sand smooth. Option 2 is wall paper. They have come a long way. Worth checking out.

Answer 7

You can use drywall joint compound to fill but make sure paneling is tight to wall if you can move paneling joint compound
could crack later

Answer 8

Why can't you take the paneling off and put in dry wall? I would think this would give you better results in the long run.

Answer 9

I had this same problem at my old house. I filled in the lines with putty and sanded it down.The drywall kind of putty. It looked ok if you really looked then you would see it but overall turned out good.
Good Luck

Answer 10

i agree with most of the others recommending joint (drywall) compound to fill the grooves. sand smooth the next day and apply a coat of kiltz, before painting. if you are not going to use a light color paint, have the kiltz tinted to match the paint color as the kiltz will be white and hard to cover with one coat.