How to remove wood paneling from wall?

Question

What is the best way to remove paneling from a plaster wall with minimal wall damage?

Its an old house w/ plaster walls not drywall.

I would like off, dont want to paint it.

All help appreciated.

Answer 1

try a nail punch to drive the nail through the panel, hopefully its not glued. you'll have to find the nails

Answer 2

just tear it down and drywall over the plaster or take the plaster down as well. or prepare to do it whole lotta skimming.

Answer 3

First, score with a razor knife any edges where paint or caulk has overlapped a seam.  This will keep the paint from stripping off a surface adjacent to the paneling.

Remove any trim, it is usually nailed into place with small finish nails.  A flat prybar is helpful here, with a scrap wood block (shim) to avoid marking up any underlying wallboard.  Once you can see the entire surface of the panel (i.e. not blocked by more trim, paint lines etc) start in one hidden corner/edge (like the baseboard) and pry it free.  You should be fine unless it is being held with adhesive as well.

Answer 4

12  inch flat bar and a hammer.

Answer 5

Purchase a Wonderbar from a hardware or Home Improvement store. This is a short prybar. find where the paneling meets and push the flat side of the bar in and pry it loose. Try to do this near the nails. After you get one piece off, use a wooden block under the bar when prying to avoid damaging the bare plaster. Hopefully, it isn't glued on but it is very possible.

Answer 6

if these panels are nailed to the wall it 's easy, with a crow bar go to a corner and try to lift an edge , you will see if it's lose or not, then lift gently and with a pair of pliers remove the nails , if the board is glued to the wall , unfortunately there will be damage to the walls when you pull it off , you might need to replace it with new dry wall .

Answer 7

If you don't want to paint the paneling and there is no dry wall behind it you are in for a lot of work. I don't know what your budget is or what look you are looking for but you could always just cover it with 1/4 or 3/8 dry wall and tape float and paint. Just leave the paneling and cover it. When you think about the labor of getting the paneling down and the disposal of it then all the skim floating you are going to have to do to make it look like something and if the old plaster is even going to be workable you may just want to go over it with thin drywall and start over. Just my 2 sense.