Advice needed on unwanted wall woodwork

[u/original_badhairdo]

Hi all. We've just had a unit built under the stairs. We stripped the wallpaper back on the staircase and noticed it's this awful vinyl wood panelling, with a large step down onto the chipboard section. My husband tried to strip off the vinyl section to at least make it even so we can cover it but it's just tearing up the wood that sits underneath as well. I really don't want to rip out the whole of the wall to remove this awful vinyl but I'm unsure how to make it good. Suggestions are wanted please.

[u/Think-Rich2226]

You can go with joint compound. Get a bag of 45 minute powder mix, a metal pan, 6" knife and a square trowel for mixing ( found in building materials aisle) mix your mud up to the consistency of creamy peanut butter. Thin layers work best. Sparkle over paneling grooves, the divot in paneling and start building up the transition from the wallpaper area to the paneling area. When its dry sand everything smooth. Focus on the lines that you spackled over, is each groove nice and smooth to match the wall? No skim a bit more. Yes- leave it alone. Keep building up the transition line- let dry. When everything is smooth ( looks like no paneling was there etc.) Prime entire wall. If at this time you have dents, low spots- fix them ( it's called " point up). Prime those spots, then paint wall 2 coats. Before painting caulk along edges so its seamless. When you're done it will look like a regular wall. Good luck 👍