Pickled wood panels have a white-washed appearance.
Wood panels are an attractive decor option for interior walls; however, paneled rooms are often dark. For those who want to update wood paneling without removing it, there is the option of painting it. Although wood paneling is easily primed and painted with a solid color paint, there are other options. Pickling is a paint technique that applies a whitewash to the wood panels. The result is a completely new look for the room that still reveals the grain of the wood.
Instructions
1. Clean the surface of the wood panels thoroughly using a scrubber sponge and a degreasing cleaner. Make sure to wipe every inch of surface, as any oil or dust will interfere with the pickling process.
2. Lay a plastic tarp over the entire surface of the floor and place tape on all baseboards and molding. Make sure there are no small spaces near the floor boards, as pickling paint is very thin and splatters easily.
3. Pour 1 gallon of white or off-white paint into a 3-gallon bucket. You can use either water-based paint or oil-based paint for the project.
4. Dilute the paint by 25 percent to form the pickling finish. When using water-based paint, add 1 quart of water to the bucket. When using oil-based paint, add 1 quart of paint thinner to the bucket. Stir the bucket mixture well with a paint stirrer.
5. Dip a paint brush into the bucket of pickling paint and apply it to the wall in long thin strokes. Cover an area that is approximately 4 feet by 4 feet and then stop. Allow the paint to sit for ten minutes.
6. Wipe the painted area with a clean cloth using long downward strokes. Do not rub the cloth back and forth. If desired, wipe the area a second time to achieve a lighter appearance.
7. Continue painting small sections of the paneling and wiping it down until all of the wood paneling is covered.
8. Allow the paint to dry overnight and apply a thin coat of clear water-based sealant on top of the wood panels. Brush the sealant on gently so as not to dissolve the pickling underneath it. Wait until dry and apply a second coat to cover any missed areas.
Tags: wood panels, wood paneling, , Make sure, oil-based paint, paint quart, water-based paint