Netter Real Estate Inc
Richard Bocchieri, Netter Real Estate IncPhone: (631) 848-0748
Email: [email protected]

Painting: How to Prep for Wood Panel Removal

by Richard Bocchieri 09/12/2021

Photo by Gerd Altmann via Pixabay

Forty years ago every house had some paneling. Some more than others. Paneling can bring the look of natural wood and the great outdoors into a home. But unless your home is a cabin in the woods, chances are that's not what you're going for. Just like many home trends, paneling has fallen out of favor. And you're ready to replace it. 

Removing it is the easy part. What to do next is where many get stuck. We're here to help with how to prepare your wall in the four most common wall condition scenarios.

How to Prepare a Wall for Painting After a Clean Removal

If you were lucky, when you removed the wood paneling, you found that you have drywall back there. And they nailed the paneling to it rather than gluing it, so you could quickly get it off.

If the drywall is in good shape, you're ready to:

  1. Purchase supplies (primer, paint, brushes, rollers, plastic, paint pans, putty knife, spackling paste for nail holes, safety goggles).
  2. Lay down plastic to protect your floors.
  3. Remove baseboards or use painter's take to protect them if you don't want to paint them.
  4. Sand the surface.
  5.  Apply spackle to fill nail holes or other damage and allow it to dry. Apply a second coat if needed. 
  6. Sand the spackled area again to smooth it.
  7. Prime your wall.

And you're ready to paint.

*Note* If you find dark paint like black, hunter green or cranberry, you'll need a special primer to prime over it.

How to Prepare a Wall for Painting After Glued Panel Removal

If the panels were glued, you have a little more to do here. The paper face of the drywall may have come off, sometimes in chunks.

You might be able to salvage it. But you'll probably be much happier if you just skin it. That means you'll hang a very thin (1/4") drywall over the existing drywall.

  1. Purchase or gather 1/4" drywall, screws, safety glasses, drywall knife, drill, drywall tape, drywall taping knife, setting-type joint compound, hammer as well as the items listed above.
  2. Remove baseboards, outlet covers, door frames, etc..
  3. Measure and cut drywall if needed.
  4. Screw the drywall to the studs. Screws should be flush but not sunken. Drag a putty knife over the screws to feel if any are protruding.
  5. Use your drywall knife to cut around outlets, etc.
  6. Apply drywall tape over the seams.
  7. Apply compound, smooth and sand.
  8. Apply painter's tape.
  9. Prime the wall for painting.

How to Prepare a Wall for Painting When the Wall is in Rough Shape

If you find nasty wallpaper or hard-to-peel paint back there, your best bet is to skin the wall just like we did for glued panels. Follow the instructions above. 

How to Prepare a Wall if the Paneling was Nailed Directly into the Studs

In rare instances, you may have started pulling paneling and there's no drywall back there. In this case, you have a larger drywall project and may want to defer to professionals.

For more home projects you can DIY to improve the look and feel of your home, follow our blog.

 

 

About the Author
Author

Richard Bocchieri

Welcome to Long Island Living at its best! The South Shore of Suffolk County is a suburban area that runs along the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean. Homes in this area consist of primarily residential properties. This area tends to be diverse in culture and income as it varies by hamlet, village or town. Residents along the South Shore have access to many beaches, parks and recreational activities. I pride myself on my honesty, integrity, hard work and personal service. My first career was in education, starting as a teacher then finishing as a guidance counselor and achieving my Master’s and two PD's. In 1986, I began my real estate career. In a sense, I am still an educator and offering guidance; this time I am outside of the classroom educating my clients on the selling and purchasing processes; which have become so complicated recently and guiding them safely through the confusing and ever-changing real estate market. It is very satisfying to me to help people with not only the greatest financial asset in their lives but their greatest emotional asset; where they celebrate holidays, raise their families and live their lives. I take the needs of my clients very seriously and as a result, I am proud to say, over 90% of my sales are the result of referrals and recommendations. Primarily, my areas of service are the Townships of Babylon and Islip on Long Island’s beautiful South Shore, near pristine beaches and wonderful boating, yet only 55 minutes from Manhattan; truly the best of both worlds. I'm a graduate of the Real Estate Institute and am certified as a Senior Real Estate Specialist. I also hold a license as a Notary Public. Please feel free to call or visit so I can help you fulfill your real estate dreams. I am a Full Service Licensed Real Estate Associate Broker and provide the following: Free appraisal Rental Mortgages International relocation services Sales Home warranty new homes Free school report Waterfront specialist Notary public Please feel free to call or visit so I can help you fulfill your real estate dreams.

For every sales transaction, a a portion of my commission will be donated to Pronto of Long Island, a nonprofit community outreach center who feed the hungry, clothe the needy and provide hope for our neighbors.  

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