Easy Process Of Pickling Finish Wood Paneling
Pickling is a process that will help wood produce a whitish or grayish washed-out appearance, and it is considered an effective way when it comes to brightening dark paneling that is predominant over a room and creating a dark-colored atmosphere. Also known as bleaching or whitewashing, the present-day pickling methods use stains as well as pigments in order to simulate caustic preservatives. The bleached, discolored, and old look of pickled paneling complements decor themes controlled by light colors and hard, cold surfaces, which may include tile and stone. The pickling process mostly looks best on light, wide-grained wood, including oak, ash, fir, and pine.
Things You Will Need
- A Drop Cloth
- 120-Grit Sandpaper
- 150-Grit Sandpaper
- Pole Sander(Optional)
- A Paintbrush & Rags
- Chemical Stripper(Optional)
- Pickling Stain
- Clear Finish
Steps
- Strip The Paneling
First of all, place a drop cloth on the floor & overall exposed surfaces & then take apart the paneling with the help of a chemical stripper if it has a finish. Make sure to put or spread stain or pigments to the bare wood in order to imitate the appearance of a wood preservative. It is highly possible to change the color of the paneling by varnishing or painting over an existing finish, however, that is a different method that produces a different effect. - Sand The Paneling With 150 & 120 Grit Sandpaper
Now, start sanding the paneling by hand with the help of 150-grit sandpaper, progressing with the grain, before you apply the pickling pigments. If you had to sand the paneling using an orbital sander in order to get rid of the finish, rub out or remove sanding marks by hand-sanding with the help of 120-grit paper before you sand with 150-grit paper. An easy way when it comes to hand-sanding walls is to use a pole sander, which is usually designed to sand drywall. - Make Pickling Satin
Next, buy a pre-mixed pickling stain or mix your own. You can make your own pickling satin by dissipating white wood primer using 50 percent water or mineral spirits, which is entirely dependent on the primer base, and add pigments in order to shift the hue as desired. The primer needs to be runny, however, thick enough to bind without dripping. - Brush The Pickling Stain Onto The Bare Wood
Brush the pickling stain onto the bare wood with the help of a paintbrush, but make sure to brush along the grain of the wood. Entirely, protect a 4-foot section of the paneling, from ceiling to floor. If in case the paneling is divided by trim, protect a section betwixt adjacent strips. - Wipe Off The Stain Before It Dries
Remove the stain, by washing, before it dries with the help of a rag, progressing along the grain of the wood. You will need numerous rags in order to finish the job, get rid of each one as it becomes saturated. - Allow The Stain To Dry Completely
Finally, allow the stain that stays on the surface to dry, before wiping it lightly one last time with the help of a clean rag in order to get rid of any residual powder. Cover the pickling stain with one or two coats of a clear finish, including polyurethane varnish. Apply the varnish by painting in the direction of the grain with the help of a paintbrush.