Just had an offer accepted on a house and will start rehabbing at the end of the month. Several rooms are old paneling that have been painted over at least once. I have heard of different ways to fill in the gaps and groves of the paneling. What has worked for you? I am planning on using sheetrock mud to cover them. The paneling appears solid, with no bowing or bending. Thanks!
In rentals, I’ve just left it as is and painted it…you can also use mud. Make sure that you use a quality primer between the paneling/mud and the paint.
Keith
just paint it or rock right over top of it. never heard of putting mud on the paneling; its only 1/4" and not very rigid. I would think the mud could crack or flake over time.
What’s that stuff called they put on walls to make them smooth…oh yeah, sheetrock. LOL
I am being cheap, Rich. Sheetrock is great but not in the budget on this one. I am concerned about the mud flaking but if the paneling is solid hopefully it will not crack anytime soon. This is a flip so it will be on the market and hopefully sold within 6 months. Thanks for your suggestions.
I think it will definitely flake off panelling. Always cheaper to do it right the first time.
There is a paintable wall paper you can get at Home Depot or Lowes. Put that on, paint it no one will know the difference.
Well, two thoughts here:
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Time is money. The amount of time you’ll spend filling grooves is probably worth more than the cost of sheetrock. Especially, if you’re paying someone to do this. Quarter inch thick sheetrock isn’t that expensive, and that’s all you need to veneer the paneling.
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As a buyer looking at a home that had painted paneling, I’d be wondering what else you cheaped out on. Maybe something major?
If the paneling is sturdy enough then use mud to fill in the gaps and then texture it. We just did it on a property and it came out perfect. If the panel is not very sturdy (flimsy because theres just a 2/4 behind it) then you shouldn’t do it.
I agree with BobbiOH. I get that shortcuts can be a good thing at times, but this one seems that it can be easily interpreted as “cheap”. Two cents from a guy that has gone cheap before… 
This wall paper is NOT cheap looking it is made to go over and hide paneling and “rough” surfaces.
The house we have now has wallpaper that has been painted, and you can definately tell that it’s wallpaper that has been painted. (Stripping that has been fun…not)
My view on this is that if you’re going to out and buy the wallpaper and accessories, then you might as well buy the sheetrock and accessories.
Putting up the sheetrock, taping and floating, texturing, and then painting also takes time and money. If you have a big spread and this is a higher end home then definately spend the extra money. If this home is on the lower end of the spectrum think cosmetic and quality. As stated, I had the guys go over the paneling (was very sturdy) with mud and then texture. It came out PERFECT.
If it is cold where you are DO NOT mud the grooves in the sheetrock.
Here’s what happens. You’ll spend a TON of time getting it to look just decent, then when you’re done with the rehab you’ll turn the heat down because there is no sense leaving it at 70 degrees while no one is there. As soon as the heat cycles the temp that paneling is going to expand and contract. The problem is potential buyers will think the cracks in your walls could be something more serious.
My advice is paint one wall with a good quality paint. See how it looks. Price up doing the sheetrock and see where you are money wise. Remember an extra $2000 can make the differance between a quick sale or that money being eaten up anyway by longer holding time.
Sorry, I meant do not mud the grooves on the PANELING.
If your just mudding the grooves you might not see too many cracks caused by the expansion and contraction. They would be two dissimilar materials which would expand and contract at different temperatures but with a couple coats of paint, it would hold everything intact alright. Latex paint stretches significantly when it’s dried. If this paneling is thick enough to nail into and hold up pictures, I’d go for it. If it’s flimsy garbage, that’s a different story.
i bought a property maybe close to a year ago and it had paneling in one room all i did was paint it i didnt like it and i just textured the room with some heavy texture not to rough more on the smooth side painted it and it was ready to go you could tell if you looked closely but like some body said if the house is not up scale which it probably isnt unless its a old school upscale home just mud it and textured it or just plain texture it like i did and wont have to worry about filling in the little lines in the panel
Thanks for the suggestions. The house is not high end. The paneled walls have at least one coat of paint on them already from the previoius owner. In one of the rooms they wallpapered over the paneling. The paneling is not flimsy. It seems very sturdy. I may try mudding the grooves on one wall, let it dry for a few days then see if the walls flex enough to crack it. I am also considering the textured paint for those walls. Thanks again.
1/4 inch sheet rock.