1917 Dado panels - polish or wallpaper?

[Classical Dj]

The Dado panelling in the entrance hall has been previously sanded and lightly varnished, however, it showing deep cuts and scratches from when someone took off paint to reveal the woodgrain. I was thinking about taking the panels off and seeing if the other side was in better condition, then, sand it and polish. But i don't want to go to all this trouble if, the dado panelling in this era was covered with wallpaper..


Any ideas??

[astrid]

depends on what sort of panel, and where you are.
Lining board was often painted, rarely polished.

My hall from 1880 is lincrusta
a sort of embossed lino

federation and edwardian up to cali bungalow sometimes used wallpaper on flat panels with strapping

check out Ian Evans "restoring old houses" or ring the NT or your local historical society.

astrid

[seriph1]

There are ways to lessen the impact of scrtaches but without seeing the panels it is hard to advise. If you have some pics it would be a help.

have fun!

[seriph1]

depends on what sort of panel, and where you are.
Lining board was often painted, rarely polished.

My hall from 1880 is lincrusta
a sort of embossed lino

astrid

Hi Astrid - any chance of seeing some pics ... I always enjoy seeing lincrusta and Anaglypta panelling .... and after more than 120 years it's still being made for the resto/repro market!

[astrid]

Hi steve,
Ill get some pics going,got a problem with the camea cable at the moment.
The stufff in my hall is unfortunatly deteriorating.
some nit painted it pale pink in the 50's and im stuck with it,
I think the expansion and contraction of the paint is causing the top surface of the lincrusta to crack off so I'm stuck withpale pink panel
If anyone can suggest how to get the paint off without damaging the original surface, I'm listening. I hate pink.

Astrid

[seriph1]

I can only imagine that spraying the pink with another colour would be worth trying - gawd .... pink ....

[astrid]

problen is the more coats of paint the more damage it causes to the embossed surface so i dont want to paint it again.
When we repainted the hall last time we had to match in with the panal.
pinkish cream.
I dont know what this stuff was made of, it seems to be a cardboardy type of stuff, but hard.
Someone told me its linseed oil based so washing with turps is out
Astrid

[Lignum]

depends on what sort of panel, and where you are.
Lining board was often painted, rarely polished.

All the skirting, panelling and architraves in my parents house (circ 1917) is Oregon painted to look like Oak, complete with medullary rays. Its awseome, you cannot tell the difference. I wonder if it was a lack of Oak that prompted that, because the cost of the artist to paint it would have been very high.

[seriph1]

From the oldhouseweb, website

Lincrusta was invented in 1877 to bring the ornate plaster work so loved by wealthy Victorians to those of more modest means. More than a century later, Lincrusta, still produced by its original manufacturer in Lancashire, England, is popular once again for its looks and durability. Shown here is Italian Renaissance, with a 40" straight match repeat. It is one of ten wall patterns, seven friezes and six dados available through US distributors.
Those restoring old homes today value Lincrusta for its ability to hide cracks, pits and uneven old plaster walls. The deeply embossed relief wall covering can be painted with oil-based gloss, vinyl silk or acrylic eggshell emulsion to enrich the detail. Typically, the area below the chair-rail was varnished in Victorian times to ensure durability. However, the manufacturer points out that un-varnished Lincrusta can be re-painted many times.

[seriph1]

Hi Lig

The faux process was adopted, usually because the material either wasn't available or affordable. Baltic Pine was used throughout many homes and this material was available almost for free as it came across as ballast from Britain. I saw some doors that were faux oak stiles and rails and faux burl walnut panels ..... bloody brilliant.

[astrid]

mine must have been originaly varnished cos the paint is buggering it up.
plus the more times its painted the more the detail will get lost.
astrid

[Lignum]

I saw some doors that were faux oak stiles and rails and faux burl walnut panels ..... bloody brilliant.

To Mum and Dads credit they never painted over them when (she) went into the decorating craze of the 70`s I loved the skill and craftsmanship back in the early part of last century. Whoever painted the panels obviously painted the pressed tin celing, and its mind blowing. The colors change from the edge to the center and you cannot tell where its joined. Its like it was air brushed. Next time im there ill take some pics of the wood and celing.

[Classical Dj]

Hi guys, me again. Thanks for replying so helpfully to my thread. I haven't had access to internet for a while, but now i do and I've brought some pics of the the panels in the front entrance hall with me. Here they are!

Cheers, Max

[astrid]

Its hard to see the damage from the pics, but I think if you strip off the old polish and re do them the scars will blend in.
you could also just clean them with viniger, veg oil and a touch of meths.
then rub them over with boiled linseed.
try this on the least obtrusive panel.
it will only take an hour, and if its no good youve lost nothing
happy new year

Astrid

PS heh just enlarged the pics I think the problem is lack of proper prep and your going to have to strip it.
but give the other a shot
Is this plywood?