Mobile homes often have MDF paneling.
Many mobile homes are manufactured with printed-sheet paneling in synthetic-wood finishes. The panels are made of a medium-density fiberboard (MDF) and are directly installed over wall studs. MDF panels are less expensive than solid-wood panels, but are thinner and easily damaged by doorknobs and furniture. Repairing a mobile home's wood paneling is a simple DIY project that only requires a few tools and some patience. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Obtain a section of paneling with a pattern that matches the damaged paneling. Home improvement stores carry a wide selection of paneling from which to choose. Use a utility knife or saw to cut a square or rectangle patch large enough to cover the hole completely.
2. Tape the patch over the hole with masking tape. Outline the patch on the existing paneling by scoring with the utility knife.
3. Untape the patch from the paneling and set it aside. Score the outline until you cut all the way through the paneling. Remove the damaged section of paneling to make a cutout.
4. Make furring strips, which are thin strips of wood nailed to wall studs to support the paneling. Cut four pieces of scrap wood to frame the cutout. Use a caulk gun to place panel adhesive on half of the front of the scrap wood and adhere the half with the adhesive behind the cut out so that the other half of the scrap wood can be used to support the patch. Clamp the scrap pieces to the paneling with clamps until the panel adhesive is completely dry.
5. Squeeze construction adhesive with a caulk gun onto the other half of the four scrap wood furring strips and on the back of the patch around its perimeter. Press the patch over top of the furring strips so that the pattern matches.
6. Press the patch securely into place. Nail color-match paneling nails with a hammer by countersinking them around the perimeter of the patch. Fill the nail holes with a putty that matches the color of the paneling to make the patch less noticeable.
Tags: scrap wood, furring strips, around perimeter, other half, panel adhesive, paneling make