what is the best way to make wood panelling look flat without taking it down.

we want to get rid of the 70s-80s feel but are on a tight budget and replacing with drywall is not really an option.

edit: of course the title should say "Covering"

[This message has been edited by Mucho austin (edited 8/18/2010 1:57p).]

My first house was built in 1975. It had wood paneling in the living room. When I bought it, the paneling had already been painted over. I repainted it to a different color and thought it looked pretty good. You could still see the seems but they weren't that noticeable, much better than the wood panel look. I was fine with it since I didn't plan to live there forever, but I'd think it would be possible to fill the seems then texture over the paneling. Much more work than just paint, but would probably look even better.

we want to get rid of the seams completely. what should i use to do that?

can you just fill them with something and use a putty knife to make it flat? or will the treatment need to cover the whole wall?

[This message has been edited by Mucho austin (edited 8/18/2010 1:59p).]

Not sure, but I'd assume you'd use drywall compound. I'd be concerned if that was all you did about getting cracks and the seems still being noticeable even after some considerable sanding work. I'd think for it to work best, you'd have to texture the whole wall.

I assume the wall is the wood paneling only and not painted right now? Since you are probably going to put a primer on the wall anyway, you might prime it and see if the seems bother you before you go about doing the texture work.

I previously had a house with the brown wood paneling. I painted it white and it made all the difference in the world. Room seemed brighter and bigger. Didn't notice the "wood feel" so much anymore, and it is a lot cheaper any any alternative. May be something to try.

Just my $.02.

I would suggest first painting it, and if you still can't live with it then explore ways to level out the seams in it.

Painting will be far cheaper than any other alternative.

two things...neighbors have painted their paneling and it looks totally different and the seams aren't noticeable at all

there is a wallpaper like product sold at Lowe's and Home Depot that is applied over paneling and then painted...it totally covers the seams but it certainly will cost you more than just painting the paneling.

If you decide to paint, the paneling must be prepped first...all nail holes are puttied and then sanded smooth and the entire room needs to be cleaned and then use something like Kilz....then you can safely paint.

If you try to putty the seam lines and something gouges out that putty then you have a visible groove and will be very lucky if you can mend it and have paint to match up.

http://archive.southcoasttoday.com/daily/05-99/05-02-99/h01ho224.htm

This is what we have done with ours, only different than the authors description.

We (my wife who is off for summers) painted the flat paint across all of the surface. She then came back with a clear high-gloss and painted every other stripe.



[This message has been edited by rustyburban (edited 8/18/2010 9:12p).]

[This message has been edited by rustyburban (edited 8/19/2010 7:18a).]