Stain Wood Paneling
Whether you are trying to get your house ready to sell or you are just ready for an updated look, staining wood paneling is a great way to update and freshen your home's appearance without spending a lot of money. Many homes feature dark wood paneling that was popular in the '60s and '70s. Modern homeowners often desire a lighter appearance that reflects light and opens up a room. If you find yourself less than thrilled with the wood paneling in your home, staining the wood to lighten it can provide an alternative to the more costly option of removing it completely.
Instructions
1. Wash the paneling with warm soapy water. Start at the top and work your way down to keep dirt and dust from running down over the clean wood. You may need to wash and rinse the paneling several times to get it completely clean, particularly if it has been awhile since it has been washed or if there has been smoking in the room.
2. Use a wax remover found at hardware and home improvement stores to remove waxy films from the paneling. You do not need to use wax remover if the paneling has never been waxed, but if you are unsure, it is best to err on the side of caution. Use a de-glossing liquid purchased from a paint store to remove glossy finishes.
3. Purchase a stain suitable for the type of wood your paneling is made of from a home improvement or paint store. Consider purchasing a clear conditioner if your paneling is made of a soft wood, such as pine or cedar. The clear conditioner will help seal off some of the pores in the wood, making it soak up less of the stain and giving you a truer color.
4. Apply the clear conditioner to your wood paneling with a clean paint brush prior to staining. Most clear conditioners dry quickly, allowing you to apply the stain as soon as 15 minutes after applying the conditioner. Read the directions on the conditioner for specific instructions. Many of them work best when the wood is stained within two hours after application.
5. Mix a faux finish for your paneling if you want more control over the color of the stain. Fill an empty paint can with one quart of oil-based paint. Add 1/2 to 3/4 quart of paint thinner to the paint and mix it well. Use a little less paint thinner if the paneling is very rough. You can use any shade you desire. The stain will come out lighter than the actual color of the paint.
6. Use a clean paintbrush and apply the faux finish mixture to two or three grooves, working from top to bottom. Brush the mixture evenly over the panels next to the grooves you just stained. Work quickly and evenly from the ceiling to the floor or baseboard to keep the coverage even.
7. Use a rag to wipe down the paneling you just painted from top to bottom. Some darkness may show through, but the paneling will dry slightly lighter than what you see immediately after wiping.
8. Use a rag to wipe down the paneling you just stained from top to bottom. Some darkness may show through, but the paneling will dry slightly lighter than what you see immediately after wiping.
Tips Warnings
Work with another person if you can. The process works best when one person applies the stain and the other person wipes the walls down so that the stain does not dry before it is wiped.
Do not use too much stain. The stain can run or drip if you over saturate the paint brush.
Do not go back for touch-ups without redoing the entire wall. Applying additional stain for a touch-up will create a light spot on the wall.
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