Knotty pine walls, while great with some decorating schemes, just don't complement all homes. Painting knotty pine can be challenging. Oiled pine may not accept paint well, while unfinished pine absorbs a lot of paint, which can result in uneven coverage. The resins inside the pine can bleed through the paint, creating unsightly stains on your wall. With a little care and preparation, however, you can paint pine walls to give your room a fresh look.
Instructions
1. Mix a solution of 1 cup of ammonia and 2 cups of warm water. Dip a rag in the solution and clean any dust, grease or debris that might have built up on the knotty pine walls.
2. Lay down drop cloths, cover furniture, and tape off molding or areas you don't want painted. Open windows and doors for good ventilation.
3. Examine your walls to see if they have a glossy finish. If so, sand the entire surface with an electric sander and fine grit sandpaper. Wipe the walls with a damp cloth to remove dust and debris.
4. Use wood filler according to the manufacturer's instructions to fill in any cracks in knotty . Press wood filler into the cracks with a putty knife by holding the flat edge of the blade with wood filler on it against the wall and slowly dragging it down over the hole. Filling in cracks around the knots will be especially helpful in preventing bleeding. Allow the product to dry.
5. Sand the wood filler with fine grit sandpaper to smooth the wall. Wipe away any dust with a damp rag.
6. Prime the walls with a good quality oil or latex primer/sealer. Be sure the primer notes that it prevents bleeding. Allow the first coat to dry for 24 hours, then apply a second coat. A third coat can be applied if the second coat still looks uneven after drying. Use a small 1- or 2-inch brush for edging and narrow surfaces, and a roller for expansive surfaces.
7. Paint your walls with an interior oil or latex paint, depending on whether you used an oil or latex primer, in the color of your choice. Again, use a roller to paint large surfaces and a small brush for edging or small spaces. Apply a second or third coat if necessary for good coverage. Allow your paint to dry thoroughly before cleaning up and decorating the room.
Tags: wood filler, pine walls, walls with, , brush edging, fine grit