Need to find out how to lighten up dark paneling w/o replacing paneli

You could Paint it a light color or you could ”pickle it” which would lighten the wood without hiding the grain.

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I painted mine. Put a good primer on and paint. It looks great! I did white the first time and it's light gray now. Love it!

We bought an old house one time that was dark paneling in every room. We took caulk and caulked every crack then used aroma free Kilz prime paint to prime one room at a time. Then we painted and in dining and living room put wallpaper boarders along the ceiling. It really looked nice! It takes time and lots of elbow work, but it can be done and look nice when it is done!

I have seen many U Tube videos using wood conditioners and wood restoring products that should help. I'm sorry I can't send a link.

If it is real wood paneling g, you could clean it, prime, and then whitewash it. If it is the stuff that comes in 4x8 sheets you might could plaster over it and then paint it if rough Venetian plaster walls will fit your decor. However, if you have several rooms with this type paneling this could be extremely labor intensive. It turns out very pretty but it is hard work plastering every inch of it.

white -wash it. My sister did it to a room she had in a home she bought. First she painted white over paneling and then went back over with a rag or sponge. It turned out beautiful.