How to fix VJ panelling around light switch?

Question

Have I messed this up?

I failed to do the proper research on how to do the cut outs for light switches for the VJ panelling. Unfortunately it wasn't until after I did the cutting that I made this realisation. When doing the research it seemed that everyone's advice is to get an electrician to remove before and make a smaller hole, pull wires through and then reinstall. Now having already done the cut will it work if I get an electrician out to put in a mounting plate so the switch is brought forward and the cover can be placed back on. Once this is done install panels and fill in gaps. Or any other suggestions to avoid cutting another panel. Thanks

R4addZ · Answer

Hi @Raelisa6

It is quite easy to fix this actually assuming there is some slack in the wires behind the switch, it may not even need the switch to be disconnected and you can prepare things in advance of the electrician arriving. You need to cut a spare bit of pannelling to create an infill piece. So cut out a piece that would just fit in the hole filling it as fully as possible. Then cutout the centre of that piece so that when you lay it over the switch you can just see the screws down the sides and it covers the holes in the corners but not much more. This will give you a rectangular piece with a rectangular hole in it.

When the electrician takes the plate off, he can turn the infill piece on it's end (length vertical) and this will allow it to slide over the plate and with enough slack in the wires it will reach the other side and be slipped fully behind the plate (if there isn't enough slack, the electrician can disconnect and reconnect the wires to install it). This will then drop into the hole in the pannelling and the plate can be resecured using long cover screws (the electrician should have some of these but tell him he will need them when booking the visit). Bear in mind that it may require some packing behind the infill piece to make sure it ends up flush. then simply fill and sand flush. I don't believe there will be any need to take major precautions when filling as the infill piece will stop any filler from getting near the electrics but as a precaution I would turn off the lighting circuit at the fusebox whlst filling and allowing to dry just to be on the safe side, but take advice from the electrician.

Edited to add, try and make the infill piece so that the V lines up in the pannelling as it will be easier to fill and look better.

Dave-1 · Answer

Good Evening @Raelisa6

I would say yes it can be brough forward by an electricain, it might be a bit fidly doing so is all.

I would fill those misscuts as @EricL has suggested tho think its going to be very close with a cover over the top.  One way you could fix that is with a thin cover plate over the hole so there is no gap but it will stand higher then any other light switches.  There may be larger switches available so the faceplate of them will cover more of the edge of the hole. I would talk to an electrican first a sthey will be able to say yes it can be done and also recomend maybe a larger plate.

Dave

EricL · Answer

Hello @Raelisa6

Thank you for sharing your question about your VJ panelling. There is no need to worry, the good news is that the error can be fixed with the help of the electrician. I still recommend getting the electrician to properly remove all your light switches and power points. As for the one that you've cut out too big, I suggest asking the electrician to bring the mounting plate forward as you suggested. I then suggest filling the cut edge with

https://www.bunnings.com.au/uni-pro-500g-multi-purpose-interior-filler-500g_p1210281

.

The filling will need to be precise as the only thing that will overlap the light switch cutout is the cover plate. My best advice is to test the cover plate to make sure that you've not missed any spot along the cut out.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @ @Remarka6le for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric