DIY Network

Upgrading a Family Room: Removing Spindle Wall Partition and Painting Paneling From "Weekend Remodeling" episode WKR-104

Removing a spindle wall partition, painting paneling and spindles.

On a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the hardest, this project is a 3.

Part 1 took 18 hours over a period of two and a half days.

Prep and paint the old paneling = 4 hours
Remove spindle, etc. = 5 hours
Install corner cabinet = 4 hours
Install new mantel and fireplace door = 5 hours

We spent approximately $2,000 on supplies. If you were to hire a contractor to do this job, you would probably spend around $3,500. (Instructions continued below)

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Materials:

paint
paint rollers
paint pans
4-inch paintbrush
2-inch paintbrush
drop cloths
paint for panels
painter's tape
paddles for stirring paint
primer
light fixtures
sandpaper
fireplace doors
wool soap
sand block
sand poles
sandpaper for poles
2 x 4 x 8 studs
drywall finishing tools
drywall mud
joint compound
screw gun
screws
nail gun/nails
baseboard molding
crown molding

	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D
	Figure E
	Figure F
	Figure G
	Figure H

1. Instead of replacing old paneling, you can clean it and give it a coat of paint. First, look for any loose nails sticking out and countersink them with a nail set.

2. Clean the panel with cleaner and a degreaser (figure A) -- one that will not leave any residue on the paneling. Wipe it down good with a sponge and clean water.

3. Sand the paneling with 150 grit fine sand paper (figure B).

4. After you remove the dust from sanding, prime the panel walls using a roller (figure C). Use a special primer designed just for paneling.

   Expert Tip: Whenever you are applying a light color paint over a dark surface, spend the extra money and buy a good quality primer that covers well and dries quickly. You will be painting sooner and using less paint and that means you will be spending less time and money on the job.

5. After you have primed the walls, give the paneling a couple coats of paint.

6. Use a reciprocating saw to cut off the spindles near the top (figure D). Be careful and do not just knock the spindles loose with a hammer because you might damage the ceiling at the top plate. Since ceiling panels can be hard to match, you want to avoid as much recurrent work here as possible. Removing the spindles goes quickly, just make sure to take care of the nails as you go (removing them, etc.).

7. Carefully pry the top plate off (figure E), being careful not to damage the ceiling.

8. Remove the base plate (figure F) using a hammer and elbow grease.

   Expert Tip: In demolition on a job you may be tempted to go a little crazy with a hammer and crowbar, but be careful and take your time because you never know what you might need to use at the end of a job.

9. Use the same procedure on a half wall with spindles.

10. To remove a top shelf on a half wall start by removing the decorative trim molding and then with a few taps the top should come right off.

11. To repair the nail holes in the ceiling, put a generous amount of dry wall mud on the holes with your finger (figure G) and go over each area. The trick is not to just fill in the holes, but to apply the mud and then pull away leaving a point similar to the original pattern that is on your ceiling. Done correctly, the repairs to the ceiling will just disappear.

    Expert Tip: Small drywall repairs such as nail holes and hairline cracks are great for the do-it-yourselfer. All you need is a small container of spackle and your fingertip and you can tackle any small repair job.

12. To redo stairwell spindles, use an 80-grit sanding sponge to sand them down. The soft sanding block will allow you to get into all nooks and crannies (figure H). This may seem like a lot of work, but it is easier and cheaper than replacing the spindles. When you have finished sanding, wipe off all the dust, fill in any holes and then prime and paint them.

RESOURCES :
Grand Finishes for Carpentry: A Step-by-Step Guide Through Molding Installation Projects
ISBN: 0312263317
Author: Matthew Nikitas
Order this title from Amazon. Griffin Trade Paperback

Paint (Pittsburgh Coatings and Supply Co.)
Pittsburgh Coatings and Supply Co
Knoxville, TN 37921
Phone: 865-525-2222

Fireplace Doors (Hearth and Patio)
Hearth and Patio
Knoxville, TN 37922
Phone: 865-693-0770

Light Fixtures (American Lighting)
American Lighting
Knoxville, TN 37919
Phone: 865-694-0028

Cabinets and Upper Units (Encompass Cabinetry Coordinators)
Encompass Cabinetry Coordinators
Knoxville, TN Phone: 865-389-0542

Vinyl Flooring (Broadway Carpets)
Broadway Carpets
Knoxville, TN 37917
Phone: 865-525-5511

Couch Slipcovers (Waverly Fabrics)
Waverly Fabrics
New York, NY 10016
Phone: 212-213-7900
Fax: 212-213-7682
Email: waverly@fsco.com
Website: www.waverly.com

Building Fireplace Mantels: Distinctive Projects for Any Style Home
ISBN: 1561583855
Author: Mario Rodriguez
Order this title from Amazon.
The Taunton Press Inc.
Website: www.taunton.com

Fireplace: Decorating and Planning Ideas (Better Homes and Gardens)
ISBN: 0696211025
Author: Judith P. Knuth, Editor
Order this title from Amazon.
Meredith Books Corp.
Website: www.meredith.com

Start-to-Finish Cabinets and Countertops
ISBN: 0897214765
Author: Ortho Books Editor
Order this title from Amazon, click here.
Ortho Books
Columbus, OH 43216