Wainscot Project

[Quads]

Tailing off the pendant lighting project, I showed this image to my wife as an explanation of wainscoting which she then fell in love with. She has seen it in other houses we looked at in our house search, which I noticed, but apparently she didn't, as my explanation "do you remember that house that.... ____ "

So she saw this, it became clear to her, as did her desire and insistence in me installing it for her.
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_01.jpg

So, she instantly fell in love with it, and said "let's do it"

Let's? Meaning you're going to help me?
No... Let's like... YOU.
I kind of hemmed and hawed on it as I didn't want to get started on it, but there have been a few new tools I've been looking at and decided if I were ever to make a few tool purchases. I tried putting it off telling her "you know, this isn't a 2 hour project like the lights were" and seeing her pout about the house somewhat motivated me into action. Along with the opportunity to pick up a kick ass miter saw. She gets wainscoting, I get tool, and probably some sex when I'm done. Win / win, right?

So I head down to HD, check out what they have for options, then to HF to pick up a few things I needed, (new thread, new tools) and finally to Lowe's where I ended up buying the material (and miter saw (http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay?partNumber=157783-67702-C12FDH&langId=-1&storeId=10151&productId=1037899&catalogId=10051&cmRelshp=sim&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1)) for what I needed as I liked their selection of molding and a buck less per sheet of the lapstrake paneling.

So this is what she wanted for the top cap after digging around the various options. Not my personal preference, but it will work.

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_02.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_03.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_04.jpg

Inside and outside corners will get this treatment.

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_05.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_06.jpg

As a reminder, this is the formal dinning room I'm working with. Dimensions are roughly 16'X20'

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_07.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_08.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_09.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_10.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_11.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_12.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_13.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_14.jpg

Next comes the prep work and planning.

[Quads]

The dreadful wallpaper boarder needed to come down, at least the top few inches as I had a debate of running the wainscoting down to the floor, or marry it with the existing baseboard, and how high I was going to run it. You can see that it would be easier to kill a few of the top inches of wallpaper than it would have been to hack the outlets and switch boxes up to make everything measure up and work together.

So the process of stripping the top few inches of the wallpaper, cutting the caulking out of the baseboards and such, and general detail of the room to have a clean, workable space to start with.

So, it's not a hard task, it's just a PITA. Water bottle with a putty knife and some peeling, light scraping, and a spatula. Pics for general entertainment.
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_15.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_16.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_17.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_18.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_19.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_20.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_21.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_22.jpg

Here's one of the other reasons I picked Lowes over HD. Lowes will happily cut your wood for FREE. I had them cut the full sheets down to the height I needed on their standing saw which was much easier than me doing so on my table saw.

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_23.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_24.jpg

This is where the two come together at the baseboard, which keep in mind, the baseboard is going to get painted, along with the wainscoting, once it's done.

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_25.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_26.jpg

My helper... kicking some ass and taking some names.
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_27.jpg

Also reminding me before i make *ANY* cuts, make sure the room is square.
Which, it isn't. One wall is a good grip out of plumb. I love the look on my Wifey's face when I holler at her "Hey honey... check this out!!! This wall is *way* out of plumb"
'is that bad?' she asks
Well, it's not good. It should be (My Cousin Vinny) dead on bawlls accurate AFAIC, however if the house is insured for more than the note, then it's just fine. And if it hasn't fallen down since it was build in 1917.... it should last until oru kids graduated, and we sell the place. (or burn it down)

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_28.jpg

[Quads]

At this point, the room is pretty much prepped. I've got a few last details to clean up and then I'll start hanging material on the walls.
More updated to come through the week.

[Quads]

Got a couple of panels up as a test / first run. The basic premise is that they are stapled and glued to the wall.

Staple Gun
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_29.JPG

My old trusty hot dog compressor.
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_30.JPG

Liquid Nails adhesive. This is specifically for paneling. Not nearly as hard core as what you'd use for framing or something.
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_31.JPG

One panel up.
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_32.JPG

The back side of a panel just before it goes up with a squirt of liquid nail.
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_33.JPG

The spot it's going to live:
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_34.JPG

And the two together.
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_35.JPG

This obviously needs to be finished, trimmed in, painted, etc. but I wanted to get a quick update on the first couple of panels as they were going up.
I need to get some work done and have a meeting later, but I'm going to try and knock a few more out tonight.

[jrees]

Looking forward to seeing how it goes. My project hit a slight bump in the road, and I might have to go a different direction.......this might be a way to go.

[Seven©]

:subscribed:

I've been kicking around the idea of doing that in our dining room for years.
But, in my "mind's eye" it just seems it would make the room look smaller.
Curious to hear your end thoughts, Q.

[Wedge Rock]

Hmmm... I thought you were doing wainscoting, not paneling. You know, the 3" t-i-g pine boards.


http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_27.jpg


Seriously. Put some women's sunglasses on that kid and he looks just like Pablo. You get that cheek swab DNA test yet?

[ACE'S FULL]

How tall did you cut your panels?

[Seven©]

that kid looks just like Pablo.

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/8400/straightface.png

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7240/wainscot27.jpg

wow

[Quads]

How tall did you cut your panels?

I had them cut at 31-1/2"
Because remember it will sit on top of the existing baseboard which is 5", plus the 1/2" cap for a total height of 36". Again, the goal here is to sneak under the light switches.

[Quads]

Hmmm... I thought you were doing wainscoting, not paneling. You know, the 3" t-i-g pine boards.


Right. I'd love to do the T&G method.
This is 250ish in materials. True T&G would have been quite a bit more. And, far more effort.

[sunsetpizza]

Very classy. I like it.

[ACE'S FULL]

I had them cut at 31-1/2"
Because remember it will sit on top of the existing baseboard which is 5", plus the 1/2" cap for a total height of 36". Again, the goal here is to sneak under the light switches.

thanks bro!!

Very classy. I like it.

^^ this!

[Pablo Sanchez]

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/8400/straightface.png

http://img199.imageshack.us/img199/7240/wainscot27.jpg

wow

:win:

[timsta007]

When my parents did their remodel a couple years ago, they painstakingly salvaged/removed the redwood siding from the front of the house. They took it to a lumber shop, had it all planed, stained, and refinished and used it for wainscoating in their dining room (much smaller room than yours) but it looks fucking amazing. I'll try and shoot some pics of it next time I'm over.

Looking forward to seeing more pics of your project.

[Quads]

Post 4 updated with a few panels in place.

[Quads]

When my parents did their remodel a couple years ago, they painstakingly salvaged/removed the redwood siding from the front of the house. They took it to a lumber shop, had it all planed, stained, and refinished and used it for wainscoating in their dining room (much smaller room than yours) but it looks fucking amazing. I'll try and shoot some pics of it next time I'm over.

Looking forward to seeing more pics of your project.

Please do. I would love to see it.
I like your parents even more now. Such a great re-use of wood.

[Wedge Rock]

Lemma ax you this: Why did you take down the wallpaper border? Why not just panel right over it?

[jrees]

Lemma ax you this: Why did you take down the wallpaper border? Why not just panel right over it?

I think he's just taking off the top few inches as it would be visible after the trim was put up.

[Wedge Rock]

I think he's just taking off the top few inches as it would be visible after the trim was put up.

Ya think? Looks like it'll be completely covered in this pic...


http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_32.JPG

[Quads]

Lemma ax you this: Why did you take down the wallpaper border? Why not just panel right over it?

a) Go back and read the OP. (post 2 actually)
ii) Pay attention to the light switches.

[Wedge Rock]

a) Go back and read the OP. (post 2 actually)
ii) Pay attention to the light switches.

Yeah, that's what I don't get... Your panel seems to cover it completely... seems like it would get in the way of the switchplates. If you're just gonna cover the whole border, why bother taking it down.

Is the border lower in this part of the room:
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_15.jpg

...than it is in this part?
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_32.JPG

[Quads]

No, because the switch plates would overlap the top piece of the wainscot, so i had to take a couple inches of the wallpaper down.

[Wedge Rock]

Did you consider moving the switches up a couple inches?

If you could move them all up a few inches above the border, same height around the room, that sounds like less work than tearing down all that border (especially if you have enough wiring to move it...) if you had to rewire, than I agree, better to remove the wallpaper...

[Aust1227]

Project looks great. Glad to see the pneumatic tools.

Do you have an airless paint gun? If not, rent one for the day, tape off EVERYTHING and go to town, the results will be 10X better than traditional brushing.. Worth the money, and using an airless gun is fun as hell! Then again, you have the car painting stuff, right? You will use that?

[JCinPA]

Did you consider moving the switches up a couple inches?


If you could move them all up a few inches above the border, same height around the room, that sounds like less work than tearing down all that border (especially if you have enough wiring to move it...) if you had to rewire, than I agree, better to remove the wallpaper...

That would be much more work than the route taken, methinks.




I'm the old guy on the forum, I can use words like "methinks". Don't give me any shit about it! ;)

[Quads]

Project looks great. Glad to see the pneumatic tools.

Do you have an airless paint gun? If not, rent one for the day, tape off EVERYTHING and go to town, the results will be 10X better than traditional brushing.. Worth the money, and using an airless gun is fun as hell! Then again, you have the car painting stuff, right? You will use that?

I have can / air guns from my race car days and painting, but yes, the plan is to tape it off and spray it... AIRLESS. It's the only way to do it. Water based paints really suck through a can. I've got a buddy with one that I may borrow, or I'll rent one.

That would be much more work than the route taken, methinks.




I'm the old guy on the forum, I can use words like "methinks". Don't give me any shit about it! ;)

See... even the old guy gets it.

[FL70]

Might be too late, but plain old white vinegar takes wall paper backing down like a champ.

[Quads]

yeah, I read that as well, after the fact. It wasn't too bad once I used a spatula to knock the top of it off to allow for some water to seep down into it. I'd spray it, wait a few, spray it down again, and then chase it with a plastic putty knife and it came down pretty easily. I've got about 1/2 the wainscoting up now, and should finish this week. The hard part is going to be the trim and corners.

[Quads]

Coming along with some updates. I've got all the paneling up, and one piece of top molding as an example. I'll get the rest of it trimmed out hopefully over the weekend / next week and finish with painting.

Poor lighting / Cell phone pics:

http://www.imgcafe.com/view/uploads/2011032620.jpg

http://www.imgcafe.com/view/uploads/201103bnb.jpg

http://www.imgcafe.com/view/uploads/201103ycy.jpg

http://www.imgcafe.com/view/uploads/201103ses.jpg

http://www.imgcafe.com/view/uploads/201103yhy.jpg

[Trann]

How does one handle seams in the boards? Or does it just get covered with primer/paint?

[Quads]

How does one handle seams in the boards? Or does it just get covered with primer/paint?

Butting the one end to the next, each is milled to where the lapsrake ends and begins (if that makes sense) so you have a butt joint there. I plan to caulk it and paint it. Highly doubt it will be noticeable unless I eff something up (fair possibility) or unless you were really looking for it / had the seams pointed out to you.
Once I finish the caulking / patching, I'll photograph them, as well once they are painted over.

[Randy2310]

Here's one of the other reasons I picked Lowes over HD. Lowes will happily cut your wood for FREE. I had them cut the full sheets down to the height I needed on their standing saw which was much easier than me doing so on my table saw.


O RLY? I always use HD and they've always cut studs / plywood / homasote insulation boards etc etc no problem no charge

[Quads]

OK, the trim is done.
Need to patch and caulk everything, then the hard part.... tape, mask and paint.

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_36.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_37.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_38.jpg

[huge1s]

Lookin good. You gonna use wood filler for the staple holes? I recommend non-white so you can see where you filled and where to sand (made this mistake on some base boards.....)

[NathanJax]

Lookin good. You gonna use wood filler for the staple holes? I recommend non-white so you can see where you filled and where to sand (made this mistake on some base boards.....)

+1

:mrgreen:

[MsprinM]

Is it me or does that corner piece seem to be sticking out about a 1/4".

[Wedge Rock]

Those walls don't appear to be plumb...

[Quads]

Lookin good. You gonna use wood filler for the staple holes? I recommend non-white so you can see where you filled and where to sand (made this mistake on some base boards.....)

Yes. Fill all the staple holes, and joints, and caulk everything else. The inside corner shown is not all that straight (the worst of them all) so it will need a little finishing.

[JCinPA]

Silicone caulk ... covers a multitude of problems. I hope that product made some sumbitch very rich.

[huge1s]

Silicone caulk ... covers a multitude of problems. I hope that product made some sumbitch very rich.

NO!!!!! You want the paintable stuff for a job like this. Silicone will mess up your paint job.

[jrees]

NO!!!!! You want the paintable stuff for a job like this. Silicone will mess up your paint job.

Yeah, this.

Here is the stuff I always have on hand. Great to work with.
DAP Products - Caulks and Sealants - DAP® KWIK SEAL® Tub & Tile Adhesive Caulk
(http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx?BrandID=22&SubcatID=5)

[Scuba_Dave]

Some silicone caulks are paint-able

GE Silicone II Paintable Silicone Is Rain-Ready in Three Hours (http://www.caulkyourhome.com/ge-silicone-II-paintable-silicone.php)

[JumperJeff]

Yeah, this.

Here is the stuff I always have on hand. Great to work with.
DAP Products - Caulks and Sealants - DAP® KWIK SEAL® Tub & Tile Adhesive Caulk
(http://www.dap.com/product_details.aspx?BrandID=22&SubcatID=5)

2nd the DAP. I've used it for baseboard seams and around tubs many times and it works great.

[huge1s]

Some silicone caulks are paint-able

GE Silicone II Paintable Silicone Is Rain-Ready in Three Hours (http://www.caulkyourhome.com/ge-silicone-II-paintable-silicone.php)

Right, I just didn't want someone to see that and not realize there is a difference. I bought several tubes of caulk to seal the baseboards in my basement finish (previous house) and one of the tubes was in the wrong bin (of course, they make all the tubes look almost exactly the same). It wasn't paintable and totall f-d up my paint job.

[Quads]

OK, it's pretty much done other than some minor detail work with a detail paint brush, and putting the room back together.

Sprayed it earlier this week. Broke out the airless gun, which, IMO, is the only way to paint. Take it from me, I fucking hate painting. With an airless rig, it's less of a PITA. The biggest issue with an airless rig is cleaning it, but the results are bar none.

Picks:
http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_42.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_39.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_40.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_43.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_45.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_46.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_51.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_50.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_54.jpg

Pretty self explanatory. Wifey is putting getting new window treatments and we'll get the Walker Evans photographs on the walls and the room put back together.

[JCinPA]

Outstanding job! You do nice work.

Scratch that, you do excellent work!

[aceinthehole4212]

Job well done man, it looks like it turned out very nicely.

[Wedge Rock]

Nice result, brother.

[BrianBradford]

Q, I can only judge by seeing that 1 room, but it seems as though you have a really beautiful home. VERY NICE WORK!

[Trann]

Very nice. Love the wine chiller.

Shouldn't those outlet covers be white?

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_51.jpg

[ACE'S FULL]

Nice looking job mano!

[Quads]

Very nice. Love the wine chiller.

Shouldn't those outlet covers be white?

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_51.jpg

They should, yes. Which I'll replace them once I go to LowesDepot and find something else. I'm looking for white, molded, or wood covers. I need to change out the outlets as well from the cream color (existing) to white.

I'll also get some better (non-cellphone) picks once the room is put together.

Thanks to all for the comments. Considering the relatively low cost of the project, and the end result, I'm very happy with the end results. Lot of bang for the visual fit and finish buck, with minimal costs and effort.

[Wedge Rock]

Shouldn't those outlet covers be white?

http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/020806/ocd.gif

[Scuba_Dave]

Nice job on the project
Had to look up the sprayer, looks like a nice tool to have

[Quads]

A few more picks (crappy cell phone) of the room put together.
Next comes the pictures on the wall and this project is done.
AFAIC, it's in the Wifey's hands now.

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_55.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_56.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_57.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_58.jpg

http://www.pcpotato.com/uploader/files/1/wainscot_59.jpg

[Trann]

http://www.toothpastefordinner.com/020806/ocd.gif

I find your lack of punctuation... disturbing.

[SniperD5]

Out of curiosity, why'd you decide to not paint the baseboards?

[NathanJax]

Out of curiosity, why'd you decide to not paint the baseboards?

I think it goes with the wood around the windows/doors nicely...



As far as outlet covers, when we bought our house, I swapped out every switch and outlet over to Lutron stuff with hidden screws like these...

http://www.letsupply.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/648f47c6b0f5d602b0a984005a8809e3/m/a/maestrodimswitch_01_hero_1.png

http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/13f/c/AAAADBbXGEsAAAAAAT_Bdg.jpg?v=1301565190000


Always loved the look, and also almost always see them in high end homes...

[Quads]

Out of curiosity, why'd you decide to not paint the baseboards?

Kind of what NJ said, to an extent. If I did the baseboard, which I was going to do originally, or at least wanted to do, but didn't. There isn't an easy transition spot to break to the wood casings from paint to natural finish. Particularly around the two pocket doors that go to the living room, and the kitchen. And again from the baseboard to the doorwall.

I figured it if really pissed me off (later) that I didn't do it, I could always go back and paint them. but doing it and not liking it, would be a much harder proposition.

[Quads]

I think it goes with the wood around the windows/doors nicely...



As far as outlet covers, when we bought our house, I swapped out every switch and outlet over to Lutron stuff with hidden screws like these...

http://www.letsupply.com/media/catalog/product/cache/1/image/648f47c6b0f5d602b0a984005a8809e3/m/a/maestrodimswitch_01_hero_1.png

http://cn1.kaboodle.com/hi/img/c/0/0/13f/c/AAAADBbXGEsAAAAAAT_Bdg.jpg?v=1301565190000


Always loved the look, and also almost always see them in high end homes...

Yeah, I like those also, and would consider them if I can't find the one I'm after. I've seen them in magazines and other houses, just need to find them in the store.

[Shadow]

Lookin forward to the next nice meal in that room!

Now that you've practiced there, I have a few rooms you can do.

[Quads]

Lookin forward to the next nice meal in that room!

Now that you've practiced there, I have a few rooms you can do.

Send your wifey over for a night or two, and I'll do your whole god damn house in wainscoting. Inside and out.

[timsta007]

Here are the pictures from my folks place that I promised months ago. Sorry it took so long, and sorry they are more of the crappy cell phone variety. They don't do the woodwork justice.


http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r178/timsta007/Wainscoat1.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r178/timsta007/Wainscoat2.jpg

http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r178/timsta007/Wainscoat3.jpg

[Quads]

Tell your Folks I say hello, and nicely done on the house.

[timsta007]

Will do. Yours looks stellar as well. I owe you a phonecall at some point and figure out sometime to come visit. Probably not until next spring/summer though cuz I ain't coming in the fucking winter.