Will mudding the vertical grooves in my dining room wood paneling prevent cracking in the future?
Asked by Jim Bell 
2 months ago
Last Updated: November 7, 2024
I’m thinking of redoing the walls in my dining room, which are currently wood paneling. If I fill in the vertical grooves, will I have to worry about cracking? I know wood paneling can shift a bit, so I just want to avoid any cracks in the future.
You’re best off simply painting it.
It breaks every time, the only thing is when will it break and it’s typically next winter or spring.
We had wood paneling and my husband filled the grooves with joint compound, did a light sanding, and then painted it. It still looks fantastic 6 years later.
Remove it and put up Sheetrock instead
I’m currently working on this and I’ve filled the grooves with glitter and sanded it down. I still need to prime it before painting. I hope yours comes out well!
It’s a definite risk for cracking. Opt for drywall if you prefer a seamless surface. Otherwise, a coat of paint will do.
I’ve faced a similar situation before and I chose not to complete the profile, simply painting it as it was. Every time, it turned out great and saved me a ton of effort.
It varies. Some people encounter no issues while others encounter many. I usually decline when customers ask me to do so.
If you decide to fill the grooves despite the potential issues, I suggest using Durabond. It adheres well and dries very hard, but you will need to sand it down when it’s dry. However, I can’t guarantee there won’t be any cracking.
I recommend embracing the wood grain and texture, or consider removing the paneling. In my opinion, it will never look like a standard smooth wall. If you paint over it and leave it as is, it’s still okay.
I have a wall in my house that had a strange texture, but I applied compound about 16 years ago and it still looks good.
Ensure that the paneling is securely fastened at the joins and center studs to avoid any looseness.
Around 30 years ago, I completed a project that remained crack-free up to 20 years ago.
You should opt for hot mud instead of the pre-mixed variety. Even then, results may vary. The pre-mixed option tends to crack and look unsightly over time. Preparation is crucial. You’ll need to sand the entire wall to a 150 or 200 grit. Alternatively, you could hire a highly skilled drywaller to apply a skim coat.
Take down the paneling, put up sheetrock, mud, sand. You’ll thank me later. If you can, cover the paneling with 1/4” SR. Either way