How to Refinish Wood Paneling
- 1). Remove all the furniture and other items, or at least move them into the center of the room. Stripping off the old finish and applying new finish can be a messy job. Cover the top of the baseboards with masking or blue painter's tape. Protect surfaces adjacent to the paneling with newspaper and masking tape.
- 2). Wipe the paneling down with warm water and a sponge.
- 3). Brush a chemical stripper onto one section at a time, following the manufacturer's recommendations for how long to let it sit. Don gloves, properly ventilate the room, and work in 10-minute increments, with fresh air breaks in between. Scrape off the old vanish with a putty knife and scrub brush. Wash the panels with mineral spirits to remove the stripper.
- 4). Squirt caulk from a caulking gun into all gaps and spaces along the baseboard and the edges. Remove or sink any protruding nails with a hammer and nail set. Fill nail and other holes in the paneling with wood putty and remove the excess with a putty knife. Allow the putty to dry and sand it down flush with the panel.
- 5). Apply finish or stain, then finish. Once the walls have been cleaned and stripped, the stain may look fine. But if it's faded or you want to change the color, brush on new stain. Stain is not as dense as paint so it is important to go slow to avoid splattering. Watch for drips and runs. Let the stain soak in for five minutes, then wipe off the excess with a clean rage. Let the stain dry for 24 hours, then brush on finish. Apply one coat, let it dry according to the directions and buff the surface lightly with a very fine sandpaper (240-grit or higher). Wipe up dust with a clean rag and apply a second coat for better protection.