Fixing Holes in Paneling

In some rooms, the paneling has holes about the size of your finger. How do you fix holes in cheap paneling without replacing the whole 4x8 sheet? I know how to fix holes in drywall but can drywall mud and a fiberglass screen mesh be used to plug holes in paneling too? I'm willing to try anything once. --68.62.xxx.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by TIM [IN]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 3:46 AM
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I use to work at ARC... smaller than fist size hole, mud it or spackle it. Bigger than a fist, go get a new sheet and swap it out. --67.236.xxx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by gevans [SC]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 4:29 AM
Message:

Stuff the gap behind with newspaper

Spray it with expanding foam

The next day, cut the foam to below the surface and mud.

Don't overfill with foam or you will regret it! The wall will bulge out. --141.129.x.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 4:57 AM
Message:

Gevans,

I am a kultz in using expanding foam and I end up getting it all over my hands and I always overfill anything I spray it on. Plus, that thin plastic spray tube always gets clogged up. That stuff is real sticky and getting it off your skin is not easy. I am convinced that expanding foam in a can should not be sold to anyone over the age of 50.

I will stuff the hole with newspaper and mud over that. No sticky foam for me though. --68.62.xxx.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Ellen [ME]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 5:13 AM
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Roy, that's why they suggest wearing disposable gloves :-)

You can get spray foam off your hands by using peanut butter or butter. I find peanut butter is better because it has a little bit of grit in it. Takes some time and patience though. But does work. --64.222.xxx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by allin [VA]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 5:30 AM
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I have had luck with priming the paneling with oil based primer like kilz then joint compound. I would go over the hole with joint tape just like a drywall hole. I have also put joint compund to fill in the lines to make a smooth wall. --192.94.xx.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Pattyk [MO]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 5:59 AM
Message:

I hang a mirror or family message bulletin board over holes ... LOL

I would think you could pull something thur the hole, using a nail and sting system, anything to back the hole an then fill only the hole with plastic wood putty stuff,,, dab on Gripper and paint. NOTE once you paint paneling it no longer becomes maintenance free. --70.13.xx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 6:29 AM
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PattyK,

I did not know there anything in the world that was maintenance free,...especially paneling inside MH's. I have holes in paneling and now they need maintenance.

Painting this paneling a lighter neutral color will give the illusion this 2/1 MH is bigger than it is. And I need all the illusion I can get,..LOL.

Today, the 30 year old particle board base kitchen cabinets are being removed with a Sawzaw and crow-bar. I am sure I will find some treasures behind those nasty greasy cabinets. It really amazes me how MH people live in all this filth. --68.62.xxx.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by GEOMO [MO]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 8:25 AM
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Two things to help:

1. Would Bondo work in the holes. Sound like a perfect application for it.

2. For those (like me) that have trouble with the cans of spray foam, they make a dispenser with special cans of spray foam. Lowe's carries them. The tip seals and the flow can be adjusted from the size of a pencil lead clear up squirting a lot. Plus it can be used in a lot more positions than the regular cans. I have found this tool very valuable for my sealing and filling projects. --72.133.xxx.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by V [OH]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 8:55 AM
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I bet fiberglass screen and bondo would do it, bondo sticks almost as good as spray foam, but Roy with or without butter-fingers I have found that using sunscreen just prior to these products allows it to peel off quickly. --64.134.xxx.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Echo [GA]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 9:00 AM
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My biggest issue with "wood" paneling is fixing holes with out painting it. I've had good luck with making the holes look like knot holes with either paint or wood filler wax in brown. --98.94.xx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by gevans [SC]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 9:46 AM
Message:

Roy:

Save your straws from McDs. Throw away the original straw after the first use.

I use disposable gloves with this stuff.

And I try to use a whole can at a time. There are always plenty of places to put the stuff: water pipes, dryer vent, behind washing machine, under sink, etc.

Underfill is the key. If you have a problem with overfilling, get the low expansion foam instead. It cost more per cubic inch of foam, but is easier to work with. --141.129.x.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by pattyk [MO]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 1:51 PM
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meaning paneling doesn't need to be painted, once you paint it you will have to again and again. I suppose you have gone years without doing anything to the walls ? --173.119.x.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by ll [AZ]) Posted on: Nov 28, 2012 8:50 PM
Message:

Spray foam tube cleaning instructions:

Keep some acetone handy and when you are done wash the tube out with it and it will be good as new again!

With boats we make up some stuff called "mish-mash" it's resin mixed with short chopped up glass fibers for strength. YOu mix it really thick and stuff it in holes and such, then grind it smooth. Bondo makes a product with fibers in it.

Remember mobiles flex a lot so anything solid like spackle will crack and pop loose eventually. --24.121.xxx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Nov 29, 2012 3:36 AM
Message:

Roy,

Lightly sand & clean the area around the hole, use some spray adhesive to hold fiberglass mesh tape over the hole, apply some bondo, sand & paint.

--71.243.xx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Nov 29, 2012 3:58 AM
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Bondo seems to rule here. Where do you buy Bondo? What does it cost? How long does it take to dry hard? --68.62.xxx.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by BillS [CO]) Posted on: Nov 29, 2012 9:57 AM
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I have purchased Bondo at an autoparts store. Don't remember the rest but don't recall it being all that expensive. --75.160.xxx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Ellen [ME]) Posted on: Nov 29, 2012 4:51 PM
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I think I've seen bondo in the paint aisle with glue at Home Depot. --64.222.xxx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by MikeA [TX]) Posted on: Nov 29, 2012 5:03 PM
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The real bondo is in an autoparts store. Similar product called Durham's Rock Hard putty is the equilavent product for wood. It hardens in about 45 minutes. It is by the spackling at the big box stores, cost 5 or 6 bucks for a about a half gallon can of poweder you mix with water. --108.240.xxx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Travis [OK]) Posted on: Nov 29, 2012 5:15 PM
Message:

Metal tape works in a pinch. Get the heaviest gauge you can find and double tape it. When painted or textured its nearly invisible. It's a fast solution and a bit ghetto, but you can use the time saved to do other fix up projects.

Spray foam works good but is hard to cut flush with the wall. A v-notched trowel makes a good saw or a very long sawsall blade done by hand works ok too. Finish it with plaster of Paris instead of mud.

Our tenants love kicking holes! --68.12.xxx.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Travis [OK]) Posted on: Nov 29, 2012 5:25 PM
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Another trick I've seen done is sheets of drywall cut in half to create A wainscoting effect. Finished with a chair rail trim or cheap substitute. It sounds like a pain and is, but much easier than dry walling entire place just to cover waist high holes. It really looks good with painted paneling and can be painted the same color and then do chair rail in white. Or just do metal tape! --68.12.xxx.xx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by Ellen [ME]) Posted on: Nov 29, 2012 7:45 PM
Message:

A dremel works excellent for trimming spray foam flat. Be sure to let it cure enough.

Wanted to reuse a dryer hole that I had filled with foam and spackled. It had blended so well, it took me a bit to find the exact location. The wall material wasn't sheetrock or paneling. 4x8 something that is similar to paneling, but not quite. --64.222.xxx.xxx

Fixing Holes in Paneling (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Dec 6, 2012 11:16 PM
Message:

Roy, instant fix, no mess: a blank elec plate (light switch / outlet cover). 2 screws and it look like it belongs.

Holes on bedroom doors or kitchen walls/ kids' room walls: a corkboard or message board from Walmart.

For holes on doors, we use $8 Walmart tall dressing mirrors.

In low end homes, we also use lotsa luan "patches": squares to repair odd spots, like inside a closet or a ceiling. Cut neatly, edges sanded, primed & painted. Sounds worse than it looks. Not for high end homes.

--50.129.xxx.xxx

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