What is skim coating? Can you skim coat over wall paneling?

Question

A contractor told me we could skim coat over paneling to make a smooth wall finish to paint. Is this true?

Answer 1

NOOOOOOO

Wall paneling is a compressed particle board it DOES NOT WORK WELL WITH FINISH COATS.

Wall Paneling is not a water proof product.

Finish coats contain to much water in them and that will ruin the wall paneling that it is spread over .....

That contractor is not experienced in Drywall or Interior Plaster products.

IF you have any more questions E mail me

Signed Tim

Answer 2

Skim Coat Paneling

Answer 3

You can, but it will crack in time where the paneling seams are.

The only way we have found to solve this problem is by gluing the joints first.

Your walls will look terrible with having cracks every 4 feet.

You are also talking alot of mudding and sanding. You will be forever sanding on a skim coat of whole walls.

Your best bet is to get drywall and do it yourself. You can go over the existing paneling and it would be alot less work, and a helluva lot less dust!

Answer 4

Depends on the panelling. If it's that hideous crap that was popular in the 60's and 70's, it's probably 1/4" plywood. In that case you can lightly sand it then use joint compound to fill in the grooves. Sand very gently -- you need to take the shine off, but this stuff can peel if you sand too rough. Once that happens it cannot be repaired.

This only works if the panelling is installed over drywall or plaster; if someone took a shortcut and installed the panelling directly to the studs then you should take it out and put in 5/8" drywall. Plywood panelling without a solid backing has too much flex, the joint compound and paint will eventually flake off.

Answer 5

I wouldn't skim coat a paneled wall. The mud used to skimcoat wallboard isn't mean for that. If you want it to look like sheetrock, have thin sheetrock installed ver the paneling. But have you ever seen painted paneling? It really looks quite good. I suggest you try painting an area and see if you like it. Once the usrface is a uniform color, the grooves don't look noticeable at all.

Answer 6

it's like a thin coating of plaster.
If the paneling is against something solid so it doesn't "give"
then it may work, but if you can push in on the paneling and it
bows inward then no. THe stuff would just crack and fall off.

Answer 7

Dont do it! that a scam, the mud will not stick, the right way is to cover the paneling with thin 1/4 inch drywall then coat it,

Answer 8

Yes it can be done.. but it takes a whole lot of prep work! And ends up being cheaper to sand down paneling and paint over it if you aer just trying to brighten a room!