I can share one approach that *won't* work. Years ago, my wife and I tried to paint over a paneled wall. We filled in all the vertical grooves with spackle, and then we put on two or three layers of paint. As I recall, we were too ignorant to even use primer. The result was that we could always see a shadow of those vertical lines from the paneling. Oh well. Live and learn I guess.

Jonathan Gennick
http://gennick.com

To answer your questions, I would need a bit more info. For example (1) is the paneling really wood paneling ---there is still some paper faced (fake wood paper vaneer) that would be hell to attempt to skim. However, you did say there were grooves in the paneling, so, there is a 95% chance that paneling is wood. (2) What is paneling covering?--- if it's covering lath & plaster, I would be temped to pull off one panel to see what's behind---it might be easier to work with what is under paneling. ---- If paneling has been applied directly to the 2X4 wall framing (which I very much doubt), I would pull off paneling and drywall. (3) how large is the area that we are talking about? If it's just one 12 X 12 room---and the paneling is securly anchord to whatever is under it; then, I would try your method. If you skim coat, you very well might find that there will be some rust colored stains bleeding through the skim coat after it dries--- you'll need to cover those stains with something like "Kilz" (sp?) ask for "kilz" at hardware store --they'll have paint-on or spray-on types--- if there are not hundreds of stains I would use the spray-on---just to hit the stains. (you'll need to cover stuff---the spray can leave a white dust-like cover.

If it were me, and the paneling was well applied to underwall,--- I would paint over the paneling and the heck with the grooves. After you put up your valuable artwork the walls will fade into the background. Try it, you can always skim coat (that is, if you enjoy work, mess, time, and pain). Good luck. Jaes.

To Jaes54321

I also want to plaster over paneling. The paneling is nailed directly to studs and has been there for years. I have painted the paneling twice and can't stand it any longer. The paneling does have grooves in it and also has a lot of texture. How would I prepare that wall (the painted surface) to get ready to plaster? Also, would I do several thin plaster coats to fill in all the texturing? Am I being stupid to try this?

Jo

I also have ugly old panelling. I noticed ********** sells a thick, wallpaper for this kind of problem. There were several different patterns available. I think I'll try it, although it seems a bit strange to paper then paint.

Monica C Ballard

Yes there are wallcovering products called walliner that will bridge over the grooves in paneling and you either paint it or put regular wallpaper over it. This may be the way to go with this paneling. Be sure to check with the PAINT STORE that you get the liner from as to how to prepare the paneling before you use the liner.

Hope this helps out.

how to plaster over paneling