How can I best paint/ stain the paneling in my dark family room?
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You could white wash your walls to brighten up the room. I would white wash the brick on the fireplace as well.
Clean the paneling first and allow to dry
Use a primer as a base or use a paint with primer.
You can white wash it
I agree with white washing. It will brighten up the room, but still leave the integrity of the wood paneling, here is a link on how to do that:
http://www.remodelaholic.com/how-to-whitewash-plank-wall-ceiling/
I would go with a nice pale grey for the walls and then white on the fireplace brick. Clean the wood well with TSP to remove all oil and dirt. Then prime and paint.
Definitely whitewash it. What a diff that would make !!
I have the same paneling and brick ! Looking for Ideas also.
There is a paintable wallpaper, it's kind of like watercoloring paper, inexpensivive and thick enough to cover small gaps. For thicker gaps spakle first. When finished it looks like ordinary painted drywall.
Use a good primer and you'll be fine.
Clean it thoroughly with something oil-free, and primer is your friend. I disagree with the comments above in regards to painting the brick, but then I am a fan of old brick. I think a warm and cheerful color that is lighter in tone, but not necessarily white, would look great!
I have 60's panelling (pressed board). Mine was cleaned with deglosser/liquid sandpaper and wiped down with a slightly damp towel. That removes wax, dust etc. in one fell swoop. Use a good high adhesion primer. I like shellac-based Zinsser BIN (red label). It is thin and lightweight, but does an excellent job. If you want the knots to show through, avoid shellac-based. As you are priming, you will see if you prefer the whitewash look. If not move on to your topcoat.
we Painted our dark paneling with tinted kilz and then 2 coats of pale grey satin and trimmed with white. It looks so beachy/cottagey and lightens up the whole house.
i used a light grey on my wood paneling, paint with primer at lowes here are a before and after