I'm trying to mud and texture some wood paneling for a client, but I'm running into a snag. I know sanding is important, and I've been using a 150 grit with my electric sander. The paneling feels super smooth now, but I'm worried about the mud adhering properly. Should I sand it more aggressively, like switching to 50 grit? Or is there another approach I should consider? Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
It really depends on what type of paneling you're dealing with! If it's thin wood paneling, mudding might not be the best option since it tends to flex, and you could end up with cracks later on. I’d recommend sanding to remove any impurities, then using a product like preprite to fill in gaps, and just painting over that instead. It's a safer bet!
Honestly, mud isn’t going to stick to wood paneling very well no matter how much you sand it. You might want to consider applying a quarter-inch board over the paneling first and mudding that instead. It’ll give you a much better finish!
That sounds like a solid plan! I got the same suggestion from a drywall pro, so I think I’ll go in that direction.
If you're determined to mud it, scoring the paneling with a circular saw could give you a surface that better holds the mud, almost like using lath. Just be cautious about the flexing and movement of the wood over time, though!
Didn't think about scoring it—great idea! Just be prepared for some potential issues with the climate affecting it later.
Yeah, that's what I've been hearing too! I think going with preprite will save you a lot of troubleshooting later.