How to accurately mark behind wet wall panel

iffy100 · Friday at 11:57 AM

Basically I'm putting wet wall panels up in the bathroom and was wondering if there is a nifty trick to accurately measure and locate plug holes and switches etc

foxhole · Friday at 3:07 PM

Offer up panel to wall and level a line across to top and bottom of your socket, reduce measurement 5mm top and bottom to allow overlap of socket edge .
Measure across to socket from previous panel or corner of room to either side of socket ( reducing again by 5mm for overlap).
If your measuring skills are poor increase overlap to 10mm and adjust after testing fit .
(You can always make aperture larger to fit).
Pencil marks are easily wiped off.

endecotp · Saturday at 4:03 PM

If you have a laser level, you can point that at the spot on the wall and then mark where the laser meets the ceiling and adjacent wall.

deethomas · 2026-03-01T22:26:01+0000

Draw a line of blue/red chalk, or red lipstick*, over the edge of each socket/fixture. Place your panel level to the floor and gentry press the panel against the sockets/fixture to transfer their location.

*Black lipstick if you're goth.

robinbanks · 2026-03-01T22:35:02+0000

endecotp said:
If you have a laser level, you can point that at the spot on the wall and then mark where the laser meets the ceiling and adjacent wall.

If you have a laser level you can put it + mode, align the cross on one corner of the socket etc then place the panel in place and mark it up where the cross shines on it

iffy100 · 2026-03-01T23:21:12+0000

deethomas said:
Draw a line of blue/red chalk, or red lipstick*, over the edge of each socket/fixture. Place your panel level to the floor and gentry press the panel against the sockets/fixture to transfer their location.

*Black lipstick if you're goth.

Tried that and it works great.

iffy100 · 2026-03-01T23:23:21+0000

robinbanks said:
If you have a laser level you can put it + mode, align the cross on one corner of the socket etc then place the panel in place and mark it up where the cross shines on it

Really interested in buying a laser level. I'm just an enthusiastic beginner but really enjoy this DIY stuff. Please suggest a laser level that'll be good for my low skill level. Thanks.

endecotp · 2026-03-02T00:15:55+0000

iffy100 said:
Please suggest a laser level that'll be good for my low skill level. Thanks.

There are various brands of small cube-shaped lasers that cost about £50. Example: I have a Bosch Quigo. Then the prices jump substantially. I guess the more expensive ones are better, but I've never used one.

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How to accurately mark behind wet wall panel

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