Alexei Volkov
Wood panelling was a popular design trend in the 1970s, but it has since fallen out of fashion. Removing old wood panelling can be a difficult and expensive process, so covering it up is a great way to renovate your home without breaking the bank. There are several ways to cover up old plastic panelling, including painting, wall liners, and wallpaper. Before covering up the panelling, it is important to ensure that the surface is clean, smooth, and free of any nails or screws. Filling in any gaps or holes with a compound or caulk will create a smooth surface for your chosen covering to adhere to. Once the surface is prepared, you can paint it, cover it with a wall liner, or hang wallpaper to give your space a fresh new look.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Preparation | Ensure a smooth and clean surface by removing nails or screws, filling gaps or holes with drywall compound, and sanding the surface. |
| Drywall | Hang drywall over the paneling, ensuring correct measurements and cuts. |
| Painting | Use spackle or joint compound to fill grooves and create a smooth surface. Prime the surface, especially if skipping sanding. Choose a paint color that suits your decor and style. |
| Wallpaper | Use caulk to fill grooves before applying wallpaper for a smooth finish. Consider using textured wallpaper or a wall liner for better coverage. |
| Alternative Solutions | Use paintable wall coverings, such as Faster Plaster or FibreDecor, for a cost-effective and easy-to-apply solution. |
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What You'll Learn
Prepare the surface
Preparing the surface of old plastic paneling is crucial before covering it up to ensure a smooth and seamless finish. Here are the steps you can follow to prepare the surface:
Clean the Paneling
Start by giving the paneling a thorough cleaning to remove any dirt, dust, or grime that has built up over time. Use a mixture of mild dish soap and water, or opt for a heavy-duty cleaner if there are stubborn stains or grease. Make sure to wipe down the panels with a damp cloth or sponge to remove any remaining dust or debris. This step is essential to ensure that the surface is ready for the next steps and will help achieve a smooth and uniform finish.
Remove Nails, Screws, and Fill Holes
Before beginning the covering process, it is important to remove any nails or screws that are protruding from the existing panels. Use the appropriate tools to carefully remove them, being cautious not to damage the surrounding area. Once removed, fill in any resulting holes or gaps with a drywall compound or spackle. This compound will help create a smooth surface by filling in any imperfections. Allow the compound to dry completely before proceeding to the next step.
Sand the Surface
Sanding the surface of the old plastic paneling is an important step to create a smooth base for the new covering. Use fine-grit sandpaper to lightly sand the panels, paying extra attention to any areas that may still have a shiny surface gloss. This step helps remove any remaining gloss or texture that could interfere with the adhesion of paint or wallpaper. After sanding, use a vacuum to remove any residual dust, ensuring a clean surface for the next steps.
Prime the Surface
Priming the surface is an optional step but can be beneficial, especially if you want to ensure better adhesion of the new covering. Use a roller brush to apply a shellac-based primer, which will help hide the grooves and imperfections in the old paneling. Allow the primer to dry completely according to the manufacturer's instructions before proceeding to the next step. A primer will also help reduce the number of coats of paint needed, saving time and effort.
Fill in the Grooves (Optional)
If your old plastic paneling has noticeable grooves, you can choose to fill them in for a completely smooth surface. Use a putty knife to apply caulk or joint compound to the grooves, creating a flat surface. This step is especially important if you plan to apply wallpaper, as it ensures the paper adheres properly. Once the filler is dry, lightly sand the surface again to add texture and create an ideal base for the final covering.
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Prime the paneling
To cover up old plastic paneling, priming the paneling is an important step. It is necessary to sand and prime the paneling before applying paint. A shellac-based primer is a good option for covering plastic paneling as it eliminates the need for spackling or sanding. It is more expensive than traditional primers but does a better job of hiding grooves and dries quickly, usually in under an hour.
Before applying the primer, ensure that the paneling is clean and free of dust and debris. Use a mixture of dish soap and water or a heavy-duty cleaner to wash the walls if they are dirty. Once the walls are clean, use a roller brush to apply the primer with up-and-down strokes. Allow the primer to dry completely before proceeding to the next step, which is painting.
If you want to fill in the grooves in the paneling to create a smooth surface, you can use a joint compound or drywall compound. Apply it to the entire wall, then lightly sand it before priming and painting. This will help make the grooves invisible.
If you prefer to avoid the extra step of filling in the grooves, you can use a paintable wall liner or wall covering specifically designed to cover imperfect walls and paneling, providing a smooth surface for painting or wallpapering. These products are easy to apply and can add texture and elegance to your space.
Priming the paneling is a crucial step to ensure that your new paint or wallpaper adheres well and that the grooves in the paneling are properly concealed, resulting in a uniform and refreshed look.
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Fill in gaps and holes
Filling in gaps and holes in plastic paneling can be a tricky process, but it is possible to fix and patch the holes without completely replacing the paneling. Here are some methods to fill in the gaps and holes:
Using Super Glue and Baking Soda
This method is suitable for small holes in plastic paneling. Start by creating a small pool of super glue at the bottom of the hole, which will give the glue a flush edge. As super glue dries quickly, it is important to work fast. Sprinkle a pinch of baking soda on top of the glue and press firmly, using your finger or a flat edge, to bond the two substances together. This mixture will create a cement-like substance to fill the hole. You can also use other powders, such as sawdust or chalk powder, instead of baking soda. Continue layering the super glue and baking soda until the hole is filled. For added strength, it is recommended to add a second layer of the mixture.
Plastic Welding
Plastic welding is suitable for larger holes in plastic paneling. This method involves using a plastic welder to melt new plastic into the hole. First, identify a plastic welding rod that closely resembles the colour of the plastic paneling. Hold the plastic welding rod about 1/2 inch (13 mm) above the hole and use the welder to melt the plastic into the hole. Once the hole is filled, turn off the welder and allow the plastic to solidify. It is important to keep your hands away from the heating end of the plastic welder to avoid burns. For even larger holes, you can wrap a heated plastic rod into a spiral inside the hole. Heat the end of the rod with the plastic welder and start spiraling it along the bottom of the hole, pressing it against the backing. Continue layering the plastic until it lays flush with the top edge of the hole.
Using Caulk
If you plan to paint or wallpaper over your plastic paneling, you can use caulk to fill in the gaps and holes. It is important to use heavy-duty caulk that is rated for outdoor use and is labelled as "`paintable'" and "flexible". This will ensure that the caulk can withstand shifting due to dry and wet seasons. Use a putty knife to apply the caulk to the grooves and gaps in the paneling. Once the caulk has dried, you can proceed with painting or wallpapering.
Using Joint Compound
If you intend to paint the plastic paneling, you can use a joint compound, also known as drywall mud, to fill in the gaps and holes. Apply the joint compound to the paneling and let it dry. If necessary, apply additional coats to ensure a smooth and flush surface. Once dry, sand the paneling with sandpaper until the joint compound is smooth. Finally, wipe away any sanding dust with a damp cloth before proceeding with painting.
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Sand the surface
Sanding is an essential step when preparing plastic for painting. It is important to sand the surface of the plastic paneling to achieve a rougher, matte finish, as paint adheres better to these surfaces than to glossy plastic. To begin, fill a bucket with warm water and a small amount of dish soap. Then, use a rag or sponge to scrub the plastic surface. For surfaces with a lot of mildew, such as vinyl fences, you may need to scrub more vigorously or use a scrub brush. After scrubbing, thoroughly rinse the surface with cool, clean water, ensuring that no soap suds remain.
Next, you can start sanding the surface. It is recommended to use fine sandpaper, such as 180- to 220-grit sandpaper. This will help prevent marring the surface of the plastic. Since plastic is a soft material, you can sand it by hand. However, if you have a large surface area to cover, you may want to use a random orbital sander instead. It is important to be cautious and not sand too vigorously, as this can create enough friction to melt the plastic.
After sanding, it is crucial to clean the surface to remove any fine plastic dust produced during the process. You can do this by wiping the surface with mineral spirits or isopropyl alcohol. Take the plastic panel to a well-ventilated area, such as outdoors or under a patio awning, and use a clean rag to wipe down the surface. Repeat this step as many times as necessary until the rag comes away clean and free of dust.
The amount of sanding you do ultimately depends on your preference and the final look you are aiming for. If you are planning to wallpaper over the plastic paneling, you may want to do a light sanding to create enough texture for the wallpaper to adhere to. However, if you are aiming for a smooth finish, you can continue sanding with increasingly finer grits of sandpaper.
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Paint or wallpaper
Painting or wallpapering over old plastic paneling is a great way to update your space without the hassle of removing the paneling. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get started:
Painting Plastic Paneling:
Before painting, it is important to prepare the surface by cleaning it with a mixture of dish soap and water or a heavy-duty cleaner to remove any dirt, grease, or grime. Once the surface is clean, you can fill in any cracks or gaps with spackle or drywall compound and sand the surface to create a smooth base. If there are grooves in the paneling, you can apply a primer, such as Kilz Primer, to help fill and disguise them. Use a roller to smooth the primer onto the walls and let it dry for at least an hour.
After priming, you can apply your chosen paint colour. It is recommended to use a semi-gloss or satin paint to add depth and elegance, and to enhance the overall appearance of the room. Allow each coat of paint to dry completely before applying the next coat.
Wallpapering Plastic Paneling:
If you prefer not to paint, wallpapering is another option for covering up old plastic paneling. There are a few different approaches you can take:
- Wall Liner and Wallpaper: Start by applying a wall liner, which is a thicker, more adhesive alternative to wallpaper. Cut the liner to the width of your wall, adding about 4 inches (10 cm) to the length. Apply the liner horizontally across the wall to disguise any grooves or imperfections. Once the liner is in place, you can plaster wallpaper over it, following the manufacturer's instructions.
- Paintable Wallpaper: You can also use a heavy-duty paintable wallpaper that won't show the indents of the paneling. This type of wallpaper usually has a design and can be painted over with your chosen colour.
- Regular Wallpaper: If you choose to use regular wallpaper, it is recommended to apply a liner paper first to create a smooth surface. However, some sources suggest that wallpapering directly over the paneling is also an option.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to cover up old plastic paneling. You can paint it, apply wallpaper, use wall liner, or hang drywall.
First, ensure the paneling is firmly attached to the walls. Next, clean the panels with a mixture of dish soap and water or a heavy-duty cleaner. Remove any nails or screws and fill in any gaps or holes with drywall compound. Sand the surface and apply a primer. Once the primer is dry, apply the paint colour of your choice.
First, fill in the grooves of the paneling with caulk. Once the caulk is dry, sand it down to create a textured surface for the wallpaper to adhere to. Then, hang the wallpaper.
First, ensure the surface is clean and smooth. Remove any nails or screws and fill in any gaps or holes with drywall compound. Sand the surface. Take measurements and cut the sheets of drywall to the correct size. Then, hang the drywall.
