Wood veneer walls - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

AAPaint · 11-24-2005, 11:17 AM

I have a customer with walls that are covered with a wood veneer he wants painted over so they will look normal like drywall. Problem is, I've never run across this before. The veneer seems to be slightly lifting at the edges of each sheet where they meet. How can I take care of these seams so they don't show, and how do I ensure I don't have an obviously grainy looking surface.

I'm doubting skimming over something like this is plausible and I'd hate to see it fall down as the wood expands and contracts. The walls are very smooth and the panels seem to be 4x8 sheets of oak possibly??

Any input would be greatly appreciated on this one because it's got to be done right...just slapping paint on it is not going to provide a very nice look and caulking the cracks where the sheets are raised will just create a very ugly mess....

Exroadog · 11-24-2005, 11:29 AM

I've had luck using Gardz and "Peel Stop" with similar issues. Not knowing how bad your situation is though, might not do it.

Tom R · 11-24-2005, 11:37 AM

Sounds to me like you'd be 'marrying' up to a product that's already failing, - - once you touch it, - - it's 'yours'.

Technically, veneered panel products need to be treated equally on both sides to be stable, - - that's probably part of the reason it's already suffering.

The only way I would even 'attempt' it is to knife-off the peeled edges, - - and cover with decorative batten-strips, - - then paint over everything, - - but I realize that's probably not the look they want.

**ProWallGuy** · 11-24-2005, 09:58 PM

All I can say is be careful. Only job I've burned on in over 5 years was a wall covered with tongue-n-groove oak. Bear in mind that wood will move and flex with the humidity changes and temperatures. Whatever you put on it better be durable and flexible. You really need to make sure the wood is stable and not moving at all.