painting knotty pine

[Bugnubs]

YAY!!! Good for you that you're going to paint that wretched old knotty pine! Dark, dingy knotty pine rooms are rooms to commit suicide in. I know everyone has their own taste, but sheesh people, it's not rare, beautiful old wide-board, handcrafted early paneling. It's 1930's or 40's PINE T&G. Let it die in peace along with wringer-washers and linoleum square flooring.

Be sure to go over the wood very well with TSP or similar to remove the oils, dirt, and grease build-up before you paint on anything to give it tooth. And dot over the knots especially well with primer. And don't forget to post pics of your fresh beach cottage! I am sooo green with envy!

[superfly10]

thanks for the support. Yes, plan is to use some TSP, light sand, wipe down, spot prime/seal the knots, then prime the rest. Then paint!!!

Since I'm doing this before the furniture is moved in, I'm considering trying to spray it when I paint. Would that give me a better coat in the grooves? I'm just toying with the idea right now.

[Kansas therapist]

We have a 1920s dutch colonial, and the entire basement has original knotty pine paneling. I have contemplated taking it down and selling it. It there a market out there?

["K"]

I just bought a lake house that has a knotty pine dining room, I recently bought some tinted stain with aqua, if it is "bleachable" that might look good. I personally don't want to paint it, it is the thick kind of paneling, and eventho dated, it should be able to have a refresher...?
I'm searching for the bleaching stuff now, I've thought about stripping, but that may be very time consuming. We'll see, since I'm not worried at the moment for resale value, I am the only one who has to like it, I guess it shows my age.
I like that it is different, it just needs to be lighter.
Any other creative ideas out there?????? Need more ideas other than covering it up w paint, there has got to be something else...
"K"

[Cecilia_Rose]

Originally Posted by "K"

I just bought a lake house that has a knotty pine dining room, I recently bought some tinted stain with aqua, if it is "bleachable" that might look good. I personally don't want to paint it, it is the thick kind of paneling, and eventho dated, it should be able to have a refresher...?
I'm searching for the bleaching stuff now, I've thought about stripping, but that may be very time consuming. We'll see, since I'm not worried at the moment for resale value, I am the only one who has to like it, I guess it shows my age.
I like that it is different, it just needs to be lighter.
Any other creative ideas out there?????? Need more ideas other than covering it up w paint, there has got to be something else...
"K"

Have you considered "upholstering" your walls. There are a lot of fabrics available. Cream colored burlap would do up nice. Or you could get fancy and do a stripe etc. Or you can go the starch route. All you need is cotton fabric, liquid starch, a large container, and stuff to cut with. Both methods will keep the paneling original for the next person. Recipe for starch method below.


Starch Method


1. Remove the selvage edge from the fabric by cutting it off with scissors. Cut a length of fabric 2 inches larger than the length of the wall.

2. Place liquid starch in a container. Submerge the fabric panel in the liquid starch until it is thoroughly soaked. The fabric must be 100% cotton to absorb starch.

3. Fold and press the fabric together with your hands to remove excess starch. Do not wring the fabric because it will stretch.

4. Spread the fabric on the wall, pressing and smoothing it with your hands to remove any air bubbles. Cut excess fabric from the ceiling and bottom of the wall using a wallpaper edge cutting tool.

5. Cut out the next fabric panel. Soak in it liquid starch, then fold and squeeze out the excess starch. Place it on the wall next to the first panel, lining up the fabric pattern. Smooth and remove excess fabric from the top and bottom. Continue around the room. Let dry.

6. To remove the fabric from the wall, pull from one corner. Wash the wall to remove excess starch.

[1971mt]

google coastal living magazine and you will find a 1950's NJ shore house that was all knotty pine. The new owners actually restored the knotty pine and then decorated with both modern and retro furniture with bright blue and lime green as the color. It is very cool and hip along side the original knotty pine.