Painting Over Stained Knotty Pine

Secure painter's tape around the edges of the knotty pine. Unless you are preparing to paint the floor, lay a drop cloth on the floor to protect it.

Strip old finish off the knotty pine. Use any gel wood stripper. Ventilate the area by opening windows. Then paint the stripper on, using a paintbrush and following the grain of the wood. Follow the manufacturer's directions regarding how long to leave the stripper on, and then remove the stripper with a paint scraper. Follow the grain of the wood. Dump used stripper and finish into an old coffee can.

Wipe down the knotty pine with a soft cotton rag dipped in a bucket of warm water with a squirt of gentle biodegradable soap. Wash the paintbrush and paint scraper with warm soap and water, and discard the coffee can. Allow the knotty pine to dry thoroughly.

Inspect the pine for any little bits of finish that may not have come off. Go over them with fine-grade sandpaper. Gently sand the entire knotty pine surface; this will allow the paint to adhere to the wood. Remove the sanding dust, using a clean cloth.

Apply one coat of primer. Choose a primer designed to prevent stains and cover surfaces that have uneven color. Use a soft paintbrush, or if you are painting a large area such as a floor, pour primer into a painter's tray. Dip a paint roller into the tray, and roll along the upper edge to distribute primer evenly on the roller. Apply the primer. Allow it to dry for at least four hours.

Apply two coats of interior paint over the primer. Apply it the same way you applied the primer. Allow the paint to dry between coats. Remove painter's tape after the second coat has dried.