Plaster panelling?!

kzzhar0

We've recently moved into a property built in 1927 which still has the original panelling in the hallway. It's been painted over by the last owners which looks ok but when you knock it it sounds solid - not wood solid but wall/plaster solid. I've since been told that lots of wall panelling back then was done using plaster - is this the case? It really doesn't feel like wood but strange that it could be plaster? Does anyone have any info on this? Thanks 

FreeBear

It is possible that the moldings are indeed plaster. They would have made a mix with Plaster of Paris, possibly animal hair, and and a few other ingredients (mainly fillers such as chalk). Applied a thick layer to the wall, and then dragged a profiled mold along to generate the shape. Quite a skill that takes a lot of practice & patience. I have seen it done once for a very ornate architrave around a door..

The alternative method is to make the moldings on a bench, and once hardened & dried, glued to the wall. Modern versions would be cornice trims & covings.

To test to see if your moldings are plaster, you'd need to cut a small section out to see how it is constructed - If it is plaster and you want to strip the paint off, it will need to be done very carefully.  Something like Kling-Strip should do it, but test a small area first. Just don't use a hot air gun and scraper.

kzzhar0

FreeBear said:

It is possible that the moldings are indeed plaster. They would have made a mix with Plaster of Paris, possibly animal hair, and and a few other ingredients (mainly fillers such as chalk). Applied a thick layer to the wall, and then dragged a profiled mold along to generate the shape. Quite a skill that takes a lot of practice & patience. I have seen it done once for a very ornate architrave around a door..

The alternative method is to make the moldings on a bench, and once hardened & dried, glued to the wall. Modern versions would be cornice trims & covings.

To test to see if your moldings are plaster, you'd need to cut a small section out to see how it is constructed - If it is plaster and you want to strip the paint off, it will need to be done very carefully.  Something like Kling-Strip should do it, but test a small area first. Just don't use a hot air gun and scraper.

Thank you, that's so interesting I had no idea it was done that way. It has a slight look of a grain but definitely doesn't sound like wood. There is also a bit that seems to have been filled (badly) with plaster which was why we noticed it to begin with. 
Will have to test a piece but don't want to rush it so will probably leave it for now! Thanks