How to remove a dado rail using a moulding bar?

2nd March 2020


How to remove a dado rail using a moulding bar


	Shop for Moulding Bars


		You may want to remove a dado rail if it doesn’t fit in with your home’s aesthetic, or if you want to replace it with a new dado rail. You will need to remove an existing dado rail if you are taking out wainscoting or other dado panelling.

		What else will you need?
		A claw hammer

		A utility knife

		A putty knife or other thin-bladed tool

		A marker pen (optional)

		Wonkee’s hoof-by-hoof guide
		Step 1 – Cut caulk Using your utility knife, score your dado rail on the top and bottom edge. You will need to cut through the caulk and paint in this way to avoid tearing the wallpaper or plasterboard when the dado rail is removed.

		It’s also a good idea to score the joint between your dado rail and any mitred corners and ends that butt up against door or window casings, to avoid damaging them.


		Step 2 – Separate rail from wall Starting at the beginning of the dado rail, insert the blade of your putty knife (or equivalent) beneath the bottom edge of the rail and pry gently backwards by pulling the handle toward you. Tap the handle gently with your hammer if necessary. Aim to create a gap between the dado rail and the wall which is just wide enough to fit your moulding bar’s straight claw.

		Step 3 – Insert claw Insert the straight claw of your moulding bar beneath the bottom edge of the dado rail, alongside the putty knife. Again, you can tap the opposite heel of your bar gently with your hammer if necessary. Now remove the putty knife, leaving the moulding bar in place.

		Step 4 – Apply force to bar Pull the shaft of your bar upwards and backwards toward you. Be mindful of how much force is necessary to lift the board and how much may damage it. Some slight ripping noises are not a cause for concern, as this is the sound of the nails pulling free; but splitting or cracking sounds should tell you to slow down!

		Step 5 – Repeat steps 2-4 Repeat steps 2-4 until the entire rail is loose.

		Step 6 – Remove dado rail You should now have no trouble removing the dado rail using just your hands.

		If you find it is still attached too firmly for this, insert the claw of your moulding bar beneath the bottom edge of the dado rail again and pull the shaft towards you to ‘pop’ the board free of any remaining nails.

		Step 7 – Remove nails Remove any protruding nails from your board and wall. To do this, use the steps detailed in: How to pull nails using a moulding bar.

		Step 8 – Label boards (optional) If you will be replacing your dado rail at a later time, it may be helpful to label each board corresponding to the section of wall on which it fits. You can do this by numbering or lettering the back of each board, or even by using a strong tape (such as duct tape) to tape each of your boards to the wall a metre or so above their original position.