Wood paneling has been around for a long time. If you have wood paneling in your home then you’ve seen how it can last for years to come. If you have decided that you’ve had enough of wood paneling but don’t want to change it out for more expensive drywall or other coverings, you can change its look with a few simple steps and ideas.
First you should wash the old paneling. This may bring out some of the hidden colors that may be covered from years of grime and dirt. You may be surprised that the color and look is what you’ve wanted to begin with. If not you still have it cleaned for applying paint, stain, or whatever application you may use to change your wood paneling into something more your style.
A new coat of staining can often make your old wood paneling look like a new room. Apply stain directly to a lint free cloth and wipe on sections of the wall one at a time. Immediately wipe off the excess with a clean rag. The longer you leave the stain on without wiping away the excess the darker the color will be. Use a small paint brush to fill in the small cracks and voids that appear with time in wood paneling.
Pickling wood is technique used to apply a whitish translucent look to wood. Thin whit enamel paint with equal parts of paint thinner or mineral spirits. Use a small brush to apply and wipe it off with a lint free rag. The longer you leave it the whiter the color will become. Use a small brush to fill in the cracks and wipe free any runs. Use a test piece of wood to determine the color of pickling you want when applying the mixture.
You can get that drywall like smooth finish from paneling if you buy some shrink free spackling and apply it to the grooves. Use a small putty knife and a wet rag to smooth out the grooves perfectly. Dab in the rough knot holes as well to cover any small indentions or holes. Let the spackling dry thoroughly and paint over the paneling with your primer. After the first coat is on, you can see where the holes and grooves may still need spackling. Let the paint dry and reapply spackling where it is necessary.
You can paint the wood paneling without using wood putty or spackling to fill in the gaps and it will give it a more country look. You also can use blue painting tape and create a two tone paint along the borders of the natural grooves. Paint the grooves first with one color. Apply the blue painters tape over the seams in a straight line. Paint around the rest of the wood paneling and let it dry. Remove the tape for a country look with a little more color.
With a little creativity you can change that old wood paneling room into something unique and different with little money. You don’t have to spend a fortune on remodeling when you use a little elbow grease and some good ideas and advice.
