Wood paneling can give your home a classic, rustic look. But dark wood paneling can sometimes dampen ambient light and create a dreary atmosphere. While it’s possible to replace all the paneling, I recommend utilizing other paint and bleaching options that can lighten their appearance.
In this article, I’ll run through simple steps and ideas that can help you DIY lighten your wood paneling and offer advice on what I’ve learned about wood paneling as an industry professional.
Evaluate the Existing Finish
Wood panels come in various types and finishes. To start, you’ll need to figure out which finish is on your wood panels. The most common finishes you’ll likely encounter are polyurethane, shellac, lacquer, and wax.
Before lightening the wood paneling, you’ll need to remove the finish. I won’t detail the exact process for each (because some of them are extremely involved or have multiple options for stripping them), but I’ll give you a brief overview of common methods to help you start:
Plan to sand off or chemically stripwith lacquer-thinner and denatured alcohol.
You’ll need to remove it using acetone.
Take it off with lacquer thinner or denatured alcohol.
Use removal methods like heat, scraping, and either acetone or mineral spirits.
Once the wood you’ve stripped the wood, you’re ready for the preparation step.
Clean and Prepare the Surface
Before applying any new finishes, you’ll need to clean and prep your wood paneling. Begin by cleaning the boards using a wood cleaner. This removes built-up residual particles or chemicals from the stripping process. Then, fill any holes or imperfections with wood putty and sand them smooth.
Be sure to carefully clean inside corners, along edges, and in the crevices of any tongue-and-groove paneling, spaces where dirt often accumulates.
Lighten the Paneling
This is where you have some choices. Applying wood bleach, oxalic acid, paint, or wood stain are all ways to add a luminous touch to your dark paneling.
product. This type of bleach works by chemically bleaching the color from the existing finish to lighten the tone.
To use a 2-part wood bleach:
- Wear gloves and eye protection, and create as much ventilation in the area as possible.
- Mix the wood bleach according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Apply a thin, even coat using a paint pad, clean rag, or foam brush.
- Allow the bleach to sit per the manufacturer’s instructions, then thoroughly neutralize and rinse your paneling.
- Let paneling fully dry.
Be sure to first test the wood bleach on an inconspicuous area of your paneling to ensure you’re happy with the level of lightening.
You can use oxalic acid, available at home improvement stores, for a more gradual lightening effect. Mix up a concentrated solution of oxalic acid according to the instructions on the bottle. Then, apply it to your wood paneling using a clean rag or brush.
Let the oxalic acid solution sit on the boards for 15 to 20 minutes before wiping it off. Next, neutralize the wood with a solution of baking soda and water. Oxalic acid lifts discoloration and yellowed finishes from the surface of the wood and subtly lightens the tone.
For a fully painted, whitewashed look, you can use a white wood stain or apply a thin light gray, off-white, or other neutral-colored paint. To ensure that the paint properly adheres to your wood, scuff-sand the panels before painting.
If you want to maintain more visibility of the wood grain, opt for a semi-transparent white stain instead of solid paint. Carefully wipe or brush the white stain on evenly, following the direction of the wood grain. Apply thin coats, allowing the stain to fully dry between coats.
For a weathered driftwood appearance, purchase a gray-tinted whitewash stain product and apply multiple thin coats. Finish by sealing your whitewashed wood paneling with matte, water-based polyurethane for protection.
So, Is it Difficult to Lighten Your Wood Paneling?
Lightening paneled walls requires work but is very achievable for a dedicated DIYer. Thorough preparation is the most important first step. Proper cleaning and sanding ensures the new finish takes well. Consider how intensively you want to renew the look of your wood paneling, which will inform you which lightening option you should choose. Patience is also key throughout the process—don’t forget to allow plenty of drying time between steps.
FAQs About Lightening Wood Paneling
Yes, white stain is very effective for lightening wood paneling without fully obscuring the beauty of the natural wood grain.
Yes, you can usually paint over existing panels, but some may not take paint well. Try a bit of paint on a small, out-of-sight patch to gauge how it’ll look.
Using a strong 2-part chemical wood bleach is generally the fastest way to lighten wood paneling. It can often lighten the wood dramatically in less than 30 minutes.
If you use the proper products correctly, lightening your wall paneling takes 2 to 3 days for a mid-sized project.
