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Painting Knotty Pine Walls? How To Do It Right

Knotty pine walls can provide a wonderful rustic charm, but over time the wood can start to feel dated. Painting knotty pine is an affordable way to give this textured wall treatment a fresh, updated look. With the right prep work and paint products, you can transform your knotty pine walls into any color scheme you desire.

Painting over pine paneling does require some special considerations. The knots and grooves need proper sealing, and the right primers and paints must be used to ensure long-lasting results. Follow these essential tips for how to paint knotty pine walls like a pro.

Understanding the Challenges of Painting Knotty Pine

Before diving into the process, it's helpful to understand what makes painting knotty pine tricky. The knot holes and natural resin can cause several issues:

Being aware of these potential problems will allow you to take the proper steps to avoid them. With patience and the right prep work, you can achieve beautiful results.

painting knotty pine walls

Prep Knotty Pine Walls for Painting

Proper surface prep is crucial when painting any wall, and knotty pine is no exception. Take time to thoroughly clean and seal the wood before applying any paint.

Clean Surfaces Thoroughly

Use a mild soap and water solution to wash pine walls and remove any dirt, grease, or grime. Let the wood dry completely for at least 24 hours. Go over the walls carefully with a tack cloth to pick up any remaining dust or debris in crevices.

Fill Holes and Imperfections

Inspect walls closely and fill any cracks, holes, or defects with spackle or wood filler. Allow filler to dry completely as directed on the product label before sanding smooth.

Sand Walls Lightly

Use 150-220 grit sandpaper to lightly degloss walls and smooth any rough areas. This helps create a surface paint can properly adhere to. Focus on sanding any glossy varnish coating. Always sand with the wood grain.

Remove All Dust

Carefully wipe sanded walls with a lint-free tack cloth or vacuum thoroughly with a soft brush attachment. Leftover fine dust particles will prevent paint from bonding correctly.

Seal Knots and Apply Primer

Sealing pine knots with a dedicated knot sealing primer prevents bleeding and stubborn stains. Oil-based primers also do best at blocking tannins. Alternatively, use a high-quality acrylic bonding primer.

Choosing the Right Paint Products

Selecting quality paint designed for use on pine wood is key to achieving long-lasting results.

Oil or Latex Paint

Both oil and latex (acrylic) paints work well on knotty pine. Oil-based paint offers superior adhesion and durability. However, water-based latex paints provide easier cleanup and fewer fumes.

Flat or Eggshell Paint Finish

Flat or eggshell finishes do best to hide imperfections in knotty wood grain. They have less sheen while still allowing the wood's natural texture to show through.

Darker Neutral Hues

Deep earthy tones like navy, charcoal, black, or dark grey help conceal knots and variation in the wood. Stark white or light colors make flaws more obvious.

Warm Undertone Paints

Choose paint colors with warm red, brown, terracotta or mustard undertones. These pair nicely with pine's natural wood tones without clashing.

High Quality Paint Brands

Invest in premium quality paint designed specifically for use on wood. Top brands like Benjamin Moore Regal Select and Sherwin Williams ProClassic offer excellent coverage and durability.

Applying Paint to Knotty Pine

Employ these techniques for getting flawless results painting knotty pine paneling or walls:

Use Quality Paint Supplies

Invest in a premium nylon/polyester roller cover with a 1/4" nap and quality angled sash brush. Purchase enough paint to complete the entire project.

Cut In Wall Edges First

Use a high-quality angled sash brush to carefully "cut in" along ceilings, corners, trim and moldings before rolling on main wall color. This ensures straight, defined edges.

Work In Small Sections

Divide walls into 3-4 foot wide sections. Apply paint in a zig zag "W" motion and blend sections together to avoid lap marks.

Maintain A Wet Paint Edge

As you paint, overlap sections while still wet to create uniform color. Feather out paint before moving to new areas.

Paint From Top To Bottom

Paint upper walls first, then proceed to lower sections. Finish with baseboard trim last to prevent paint splatter drips.

Apply Multiple Coats

Expect to apply at least two to three coats for adequate coverage and color depth. Gently sand between coats to smooth any texture or defects.

Check For Missed Spots

Inspect walls for any missed areas needing touch up after each coat. Knotty pine often requires extra attention to achieve complete coverage.

Achieving a Flawless Painted Finish

Adding final touches and protective seals give painted pine walls an elegant complete appearance.

Allow Proper Dry Time

Let each coat of paint cure for at least 24 hours before adding another layer or second coat. This prevents drips, tackiness, or bubbling.

Caulk Before Installing Trim

Run a thin bead of paintable latex caulk along edges and between trim and walls for a seamless transition. Smooth with a wet finger.

Add Painted Trim for Crisp Edges

New pine trim adds clean, finished edges around doors, windows, and along the perimeter of the room. Paint trim to match the wall color.

Apply Protective Clear Coat

1-2 coats of satin or semi-gloss polyurethane seals the painted finish and protects walls from scratches, scuffs, and yellowing over time.

Use leftover paint to quickly touch up any problem areas as needed over the years. Properly cared for, painted knotty pine can look amazing for decades.

While painting knotty pine requires careful prep and application, the results are truly transformative. Expected dated brown walls turn into any lively color scheme you desire. Just allow enough time for each step and use the right products for success.