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Vanguard Properties
Vanguard Properties
Selina Zhao, Vanguard PropertiesPhone: (415) 919-0000
Email: [email protected]

Painting: How to Prep for Wood Panel Removal

by Selina Zhao 07/26/2021

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

Selina Zhao

Selina Zhao is a tech savvy real estate agent who brings over the top-notch marketing strategies, presentation, and negotiation skills to her clients. Selina always stays on top of the real estate market trends and stats. She applies strategies into different market situation and empower her clients to achieve their ultimate goal. During the first year of her real estate career in the Bay Area, she achieved an impressive $22.8M in sales. Selina’s experience on real estate sales ensure her clients get the care and attention they need as they make the crucial decision of buying and selling properties. Selina is vowed to provide excellent service, communication, and always an advocate for her clients.

Selina loves real estate, her career blended in perfectly to her daily life, and she loves to help others to achieve their American dreams. She works restlessly to get the work done. Immigrated from mainland China in 2007, graduated from University of Miami, Selina established her own online marketing company and her real estate career in Miami, Florida before moving to San Francisco in 2017. Her soul of entrepreneurship and cares for others encouraging her to pursue to be the best in the industry. Selina is also a former Miami HEAT video producer, who witness the team winning their 2012 NBA championship at the courtside.