Can I Stain Knotty Pinewood Paneling?

Surface Preparation

• Whether the installed existing paneling is pinewood knotty paneling or pressed board wood grain paneling, it can be stained or painted. Begin by cleaning the paneling from floor to ceiling. Attempts to save time by cleaning only part of the surface will result in striated colors after the new stain or new paint dries. Use a soft cotton rag dipped in warm soapy water. Wipe the soap solution off with a different cotton cloth dipped in clean warm water.

Surface Sanding

• Any wood surface or pressed board surface paneling must be roughed up to receive the stain or paint. Use vertical motions with a piece of rough grain sand paper. Follow that process with a fine grain sand paper. Use only vertical motions over the entire paneling surface. Failure to sand the entire surface will also result in striated coloring of the paint or incomplete saturation with the stain.

Staining

• Purchase an oil-based stain, preferable a teak oil. The teak oil stain will lengthen the life of the paneling. Staining with an oil-based surface-preserving stain is critical for paneling exposed to extreme sunlight. Apply the stain with a cheap 4-inch chip brush. Buy at least three or more brushes, depending upon the size of the area to cover with stain. For installed knotty pinewood paneling with a smooth surface, use a soft clean cotton rag to finish the polish effect of the stain. Use a paint with an oil base when paint is selected over stain.

Coloring

• The coloring of the stain depends upon the other existing elements in the space. If the paneling is stained in a birch bark color use a birch bark color trim also. Carry the color of the paneling and the trim through the space. Never stain one segment of paneling differently than another segment in the same space. Never use two colors of trim for paneling in the same space either. Avoid inconvenient and untimely return trips to the supplier in the middle of the project. Always purchase at least 5 percent more of the stain or paint than is needed for full coverage.