How to "hide" the cracks in wood paneling?

Question

Our basement is primarily finished with that cheap, wood paneling, painted white.

Now, it doesn't look all that bad, and I'm not concerned with a super professional look here...

but is there a way to minimize the appearance of the cracks prior to painting?

I'm relating this to the same function joint compound has for sheetrock.

What might work? Or is it hopeless?

Thanks.

ps: I'm not going to use wallpaper.

Answer 1

I have this horrible paneling in my basement as well....At least yours is painted white! Filling it in with all the puttys people are saying to use sound tedious. Just tape, spackle and paint. Probably easier. Or, do what I'm doing....live with it for a while, save some cash and tear it all down and replace with dry wall :)

Answer 2

it will take work but the best thing is a wood filler, much like plaster of Paris! You can grab it at your local hardware store. It would be a good idea to take a clear picture of what color the wood is otherwise you are going to have spots rather then cracks.

After that get some good polyurethane and you are good to go!

Answer 3

it depends on what type of wood paneling, but I have used a wood puddy, sand it and then stain it the best you can match. And if you want more information any of the local Hardware stores should be able to lead you to the right product. Good Luck

Answer 4

Get some caulking, the Apex 30 year stuff at home centers seem pretty good and reasonably priced, with a caulking gun fill the cracks, smooth with finger, and paint after a couple hours.

Answer 5

you should be able to find a "batting" moulding that will cover the joints at your local lumber supply that is suitable it can be applied with adhesive ,stapled or tacked on with brads what i'm thinking of is about 1/8" to1/4" thick and about 1/2" wide made specificly for paneling usually comes in colors to match paneling

Answer 6

You could use wood putty which is available in different shades at a hardware store. You could smear it into the cracks and paint after a day.

Answer 7

You could fill in the grooves with drywall mud (Sheetrock has a good one), a tedious job. Use the mesh drywall tape.

Here's a how-to:
http://interiordec.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=interiordec&cdn=homegarden&tm=33&f=10&su=p284.8.150.ip_&tt=14&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//www.hammerzone.com/archives/interiors/paneling/conceal.htm

Answer 8

go to any hardwar store and they have this pen type thing that you can use to fill in scratches and things in wood. I don't know if they have white though. You might have to sand the spot first, use the pen, and then repaint over the spot.

Answer 9

You can just use standard sheetrock mud. We textured the entire paneling wall in my moms house with the sheet rock mud.

Answer 10

Do not use sheetrock joint compound. It will not bond properly. It will crack and fall out. Use a vinyl spackling.