Quck answer
To make paneling look like sheetrock, follow these steps:
1. Clean the paneling thoroughly with a mild detergent and water to remove any dirt or grease.
2. Fill in any grooves or gaps in the paneling with wood filler or joint compound.
3. Sand the paneling lightly to create a smooth surface.
4. Apply a coat of primer to the paneling to help the paint adhere better.
5. Use a roller or brush to apply a coat of paint in the color of your choice.
6. Allow the paint to dry completely before applying a second coat if needed.
7. Optional: You can also add texture to the paneling by using a textured paint or applying joint compound with a trowel and then painting over it.
8. Enjoy your paneling that now looks like sheetrock!
If you’re tired of the wood or hardboard paneling in your living room or den, there’s no need to remove it completely. Instead, you can use a technique called skim-coating to give it a smooth finish that resembles drywall. This process involves applying several layers of drywall joint compound and sanding it down to a flat surface. With a few hand tools, primer, drywall joint compound and some time, you can give your paneling a fresh new look.
An Overview of the Process
Before applying several layers of drywall joint compound, you must clean the paneling thoroughly and apply a coat of stain-blocking primer to help the joint compound adhere. Secure any lifting seams with nails and tape if necessary. After the final sanding, apply a coat of PVA drywall primer to the entire wall and then it’s ready for paint or wallpaper.
Cleaning
To remove dirt, grease and oils from the old paneling, mix a solution of 1/2 cup of trisodium phosphate (TSP) in a gallon of warm water. Scrub the walls with a sponge or rag, and wear gloves and goggles to avoid irritation. Let the paneling dry completely before proceeding.
Priming and Prepping
Remove all the baseboards and decorative trim using a pry bar and hammer before priming. For finished paneling, use a primer that adheres to the finish and the joint compound. For unfinished paneling, use a primer that prevents knots and sap from bleeding through the mud. Apply the primer with a brush and make sure to cover all the grooves. Nail down any loose seams with ring-shank nails and tape them with joint compound and fiberglass drywall tape if necessary.
Skim-Coating Procedure
Apply three or more coats of joint compound, starting with a sandable setting-type joint compound for the first seal coat. Use all-purpose joint compound for all the other coats except the final coat, for which it’s best to use topping compound. This lightweight and highly spreadable mud creates a smooth finish.
Step 1: Apply the First Layer
Fill all the seams, knots, and depressions with hot mud and flatten it with a 4- or 6-inch drywall knife. Ensure that the scraping is precise as hot mud is not as easy to sand as the all-purpose variety. Leave the mud for an hour or two to set and then sand it with 120-grit sandpaper.
Step 2: Apply the Mid-Layers
Use a 10-inch drywall blade to spread all-purpose joint compound over the entire wall, filling any remaining depressions and the paneling grain. Avoid smoothing the wall with the first coat, as several thin coats dry more evenly and won’t crack. Sand the first coat after it dries and then apply another coat. If you want a smoother finish, apply a third coat.
Step 3: Apply the Final Layer
Sand the previous coat with 120-grit paper, prepare a batch of topping compound, and apply it to the wall. Use a 10-inch drywall knife to flatten it. Let the topping compound dry and sand it with 150-grit sandpaper.
Step 4: Prime the Wall
Wipe the wall with a soft rag to remove sanding dust and apply a single coat of PVA drywall primer. The primer seals the porous surface and provides a substrate for paint or wallpaper.
Skim Coating Is an Art
Although the process is straightforward, achieving perfection when skim-coating can be challenging, especially on the first attempt. The following tips can help you get the best results:
- Mix mud to the consistency of honey and keep it in a drywall trough with a metal scraping edge. Keep your drywall blade clean by scraping it frequently on your mud trough.
- Remove all small pieces of paper or dried mud from your trough before scooping mud onto your blade. Small debris leaves tracks on the wall when you scrape.
- Shine a work light on the wall from various angles during the final sanding. The light helps you spot small ridges and defects that may not be immediately visible but will appear after painting.