Oudated Wood Panel Wall Solutions??

Question

Just have a question for anyone who has experience with wood paneling walls.  The house we got under contract today is a raised ranch with a very nice finished lower level with a finished bath, though it is a bit outdated.

We are going to put vinyl plank flooring in to replace the carpets, but the wood paneling is the rest of the basement.  it is a darker wood paneling, it is clean and not in terrible condition and if we had to keep it we could but would rather not. The pic attached is very similar paneling to that which is in the basement.

Anyone have experience with painting over wood panel walls? Do you recommend it?  Any other creative solutions people have as far as what to do with the existing wood panel walls?

Thanks as always!

Jeremy VanBussum · Answer

Here’s a question: Is there anything under the paneling?  I was lucky enough in the house I am in now to have drywall under the paneling.  You could cut the paneling at 32” high, remove the top portion, repair the drywall, add a chair rail and paint the paneling that is left white.There you go…inexpensive wainscoting and it looks great.  Of course, this only works if you have dyrwall under the paneling.

Randy F. · Answer

Caulk makes a huge difference in the finished job as well. After its primed, caulk all the joints and corners. Cut tip of caulk tube with as small a hole as possible at about a 45 degree angle apply only enough if a bead to cover cracks and smooth with a wet finger. Then a little spackle to fill the nail holes. Oil or shellac based primer works best.

Bryan H. · Answer

I had this in my home. I painted it and I think it completely changed the space. The lined in the panels need special attention since they are so dark. We used Zilz primer and 2 coats of paint, I think it was Behr.

Dell Schlabach · Answer

We have painted plenty of paneling in lower end houses, as others have mentioned, use a good primer.

One house we had someone come in and do a faux paint job, looked pretty impressive, kept being asked where we got the wallpaper.

Tony Reale · Answer

You can paint anything and it can work even if it isn't the best solution......yes anything, tile, a bathtub, hardwood floors, etc. I do have experience doing this and the best advice I can give is this. The goal in painting is to save the money in tearing out and refinishing what is underneath or re-installing drywall. Do not try to then save on the cost of the actual paint. Use a GOOD primer and a GOOD paint and it will last for years and look good. If you go into Home Depot and ask for the cheapest paint/primer combo they have this will not work. Actually it may still work after you go back and buy so much, and put on so many coats, you wish you just ripped it out in the first place. Don't skip an actual good primer. for your application it isn't an upsell, unneeded step. A good primer is like glue that will let your paint not only cover but stay for years on this.

Jean Bolger · Answer

I've painted paneling in the past and  it's come out fine. Use a serious primer, like a shellac based primer, or you won't get good adhesion. The last paneling I dealt with was the basement of my own house. I tore it completely out and stained the concrete walls. It's not expensive and I think it looks really great. But if you're flipping the  house it might be a little too "out there".

Oudated Wood Panel Wall Solutions??

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