Help need ideas from the all knowing Hometalk clan!

Question

The guestroom had pink paneling in it when I bought the house. The very first thing I did was rip it all down without thinking it through.  It was glued to the walls.  Short of taking the walls down and hanging new sheetrock, any ideas on a temporary fix? The only thing I can come up with is the paintable wallpaper.  Have any of you tried it?

Jan C · Answer

I'd just mud it and sand it.  At least try it, cause it can't get worse, right?  Also, you can use the mud and criss cross it in short strokes, building the surface up slightly which will cover irregularities on a wall.  I did it in my bathroom cause no matter how much we mudded and sanded, we couldn't get it to look good.  We did this and it gives it a kind of Spanish /Tuscan look and we loved it.   I never heard of the paintable wallpaper, but it sounds interesting as well!  Please post a pic if you use it and let us know how it turned out!

Thom Cincotta Custom Renovation & Repair, LLC · Answer

I like Sheila's suggestion of 1/4' sheetrock, as it avoids having to scrape / sand that adhesive off the walls.  Those beads of glue will likely project thru wallpaper unless they're well smoothed or chemically removed.  If this were 'Trading Spaces,' they'd probably be stapling fabric swatches, decoupaging travel magazines, or gluing up plywood scraps of varying thickness...

Vicki · Answer

thin panel wood over that wall & paint the thin panel wood

Roger S · Answer

I would just take a paint scraper to the glue and remove it, If it takes some of the paper off the sheet rock then just tape the spots like joints and use joint compound to cove the tape and any bad spots. Once this is dry sand smooth and prime the wall with Kilz primer then paint as you like.

3po3 · Answer

I like Roger's idea. Of course, I'm not sure if that's actually less work than replacing the drywall. 
Also, the only place I disagree with Roger is on the need for Kilz. I understand using Kilz for mold hazard and other wet situations, but I don't see why you need to use this stuff that gives off some pretty nasty fumes and stuff.

Roger S · Answer

Steve G Kilz brand has low odor paint that will seal in any glue spots or other colors to prevent them from bleeding through the new color the pictures show pink and yellow color which could come through a lighter color this is why I suggested the Kilz primer.

Sandra R · Answer

If you just want to paint the walls, I agree with Roger. Kilz primer,sealer is very good. After you prime and seal the wall you can do any number of things from that point on. Follow the directions exactly, very important.

Designs by BSB · Answer

Going to share this as a separate post too.. I had a similar issue.  If you are not opposed to a rough finished wall:    use a 6' drywall knife and a bucket of drywall mud.  plaster the walls ... then paint and glaze!  Glaze being optional.  Pretty straight forward and no need to go to the gym for a couple of days!

Tina C · Answer

What about texturing the walls with a plaster ?

Designs by BSB · Answer

Here is the post to show/talk more... http://www.hometalk.com/diy/repair/drywall/diy-fix-to-hide-damaged-walls-or-paneling-186196

Pam · Answer

Here's something I did in my bedroom on the walls which may work for you and it was so easy. I bought a galln of the paint color I wanted on my walls and poured into a bucket and mixed joint compound, approximately 2 to 3 cups per gallon of paint, stired together and used a roller with thicnk nap and just rolled on my walls. It was think enough to cover the damaged spots. When I poured some into my paint roller pan, I drizzeled a little darker shade  on the roller every now anf then while rolling so the colors sort of blended and left lighter and darker mixture of colors and it gave a tuscan look to the walls.

KMS Woodworks · Answer

using a 'heat gun' may help is a case like this....turning the brittle glue strips into rubbery strips once in this pliable state you may be able to 'peel'  them off the wallboard.   wost case you can patch the damaged areas with some joint compound.

Jeanette S · Answer

We removed wallpaper for the 4th time in our 42 year old house and the wallboard was in a mess.  We did not want to replace it nor spend a lot of effort in floating it out...so we used texture paint and bead board with a chair rail.  The paint requires a special roller (not expensive) and the edges can be blended in with a stiff paint brush.  Then paint.  We used a contrasting color for the bead board from the wall and it is stunning.   This was done in a small bathroom.  Notice the accents at the corners for a small added touch.  Be sure to give texture paint a few days to dry before painting.

Jeanette S · Answer

PS...this is not pink nor salmon...it is more of a light peach that has been darkened with umber...hard to explain.

Nancy Q · Answer

Went through this very same problem years ago.  We ripped out the ruined drywall and replaced it.  My boys had fun destroying the walls!  That was our bedroom.  The den and hallway also had paneling but it was nicer looking in texture so we painted the paneling.  I thought of all kinds of solutions and those two gave us the best, long lasting results.  Good luck.

Tammy@Deja Vue Designs · Answer

I pulled paneling off of my walls and found that this was the case at my house too.  I scraped as much as I could off....bought some inexpensive drywall mud....put it on in a thin layer with a trowel.....lay the trowel on it and pull out....then lightly lay the points that is caused down with the trowel in random directions....viola! you have interesting texture....it's cheap....and scrapes right off if you don't like it....so you can play and experiment all you want!!!! AND it washes right off your hands and trowel with water!!!

Leslie D · Answer

Although the 1/4' drywall sounds like a good idea, be aware that this solution can cause all kinds of other headaches....like your switches being 'recessed' and plate covers no longer fitting.  You may get great looking walls, but you may have to call in an electrician, who will chop up your new walls to replace all of your outlets and switches with remodel boxes.

Carroll A · Answer

I knew you guys would come up with some great ideas! I think I will try to remove the glue first. (the heat gun sound right on)  If that does not work I like the looks of the textured walls. As for the painted wallpaper. I have talked with several paint stores and they have said their is a  thicker and textured wallpaper designed to go over paneling and patched walls that you can paint.  I think Leslie D is on to something with adding sheetrock that may adding to the problem.  I talked to my dad about this (the retired electrician) and you are correct. He could do it but it would be just as much work as removing and hanging new.  I will be posting pics when I get done.  Thanks guys!

Carroll A · Answer

Oh and as for the Kilz paint discussion .  I love Kilz.  I am on the Oregon coast, we have a lot of moisture.  I use Kilz primer on all walls and ceiling paint jobs. It is just so wet here its an added preventive measure.

Carroll A · Answer

And isn't that pink lovely? All the trim and built- ins in this room are that color (pepto bismol) and the panel was white with that pink in the grooves.  LOL

3po3 · Answer

Roger, thanks for the clarification on Kilz. And Carroll, that makes a lot of sense. It is much drier here, so we don't really have to worry about the moisture factor.

Cathy B · Answer

I would bead board panel at least three walls....kiilz  does help with the'old' odor that is associated with removing old paneling. I used it in Denver when I was living there and n ow use it in the dryness of Arizona.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

The adhesive used years ago on paneling can be easily softened using a heat gun and a stiff scraper.  Take your time and do not overheat and burn the wall and you will have the glue residue off in no time.  
Once off, you will need to touch up some of the nicks that occurred on the walls. A good coat of primer and paint and your done.  One long weekend should be all that is needed.  
When using spackle I would suggest the fast setting compound that comes in a bag.  Get the 90 minute stuff mix small batches and by the time you get all the way around the room with it, you will be able to start sanding where you first started.

Carroll A · Answer

Thanks W.E. I am going to borrow my dad's heat gun and try it this weekend.  The  homeowner before me did not always do his projects with the proper items.  I am pretty sure this glue is the same glue I found in the bathroom behind a loose tile. So we will see.  It may not have been the proper glue for paneling, and I know for sure it was not for bathroom tile LOL

Lisa B · Answer

Please be careful of the fumes and plan accordingly.  Some heated glues are toxic.

Pat S · Answer

I would have just painted over the panelling.  I've seen textured paint, stripes painted, a brown bag textured type of application.

Carroll A · Answer

Pat S. I have painted over the paneling that is in the Living room and bathroom. I tore this room a part the second I took possession of the house, and before I had a plan on what I was going to do.  I should have painted over it then made a plan....  Now I have a mess...... LOL Lesson learned.

Mike F · Answer

I had blue paneling in a rec room and saw a beautiful room display at the Ralph Lauren Store in Phoenix, where they used dark forest green cordaroy to cover the walls.  So I painted all the blue paneling forest green, the moldings and doors black, used black and white cow hide for a rug, used red, black and grey indian rugs as wall hangings, and now have a Polo inspired Man Cave with gas fireplace, wet bar and Western artifacts.

Pat S · Answer

Carroll, I understand totally.  I have been going through and doing the same inside and out and ohhhh the lessons learned!  But luckily there is always someone who has gone before up and lots of DIY and inspiration here.  I like the room Becky Sue @ Designs by BSB did with mud, paint, and glaze allot, but there are so many ideas here that I like as I go along.  Right now, I am working on my living room (forever) and thinking about the texture on the ceiling (storm damage).  enjoy the journey the outcome is the reward!

Cathy B · Answer

@Mike F, pics pleaassse!?

Help need ideas from the all knowing Hometalk clan!

DIY fix to hide damaged walls or paneling

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Help need ideas from the all knowing Hometalk clan!

DIY fix to hide damaged walls or paneling

Suggested Project Book