Has anyone had experience installing over cheap paneling, the kind that comes in 4X8 sheets? If so, what did you use to level out the surface? Thanks
Charlie

I did it once with sheetrock mud. I taped the corners and then all the seams. Skimed the grooves, sanded and then plastered. May be quicker just to pull off the paneling.
Doyle

yes, I would definately remove the paneling.

I've done Rasa Calce over thick paneling. grooves were at least 1/4" deep. Used bondo to fill the grooves.

Worked great. Removal was not an option. see the result in the gallery under 'entry'

I have done it both ways as well. As Doyle said if not an option use taping mud or hot mud. Make sure you tape all joints and use an oil base primer so the mud will adhere.

I remember one job were I started to remove the exesting dark paneling so that I could plaster the drywall I thought was under the paneling only to fined the paneling was nail to the studs.That job got real costly$$$$ for the home owner as I had to drywall the complete area.With that job unlike Kersteen's this paneling was not of good quality so plastering on top was not an option to start with.
Ken.
Bottom line is I'll always remove the paneling if I can.

I have experimented with the Faster Plaster Wall Liner over cheap paneling and putting Calcenova Arredo over it and polishing it. It works. I took the experimental board to Atl. this past Saturday to the 'update meeting'. It will also work over tile, concrete or brick walls, messed up gypsum and plaster walls, plank walls, etc. Web site is www.flexiwall.com.