Expert: Greg Scholl - 5/5/2009

Question
QUESTION: We have just built a new barn and the barn walls and ceiling are 1x6 knotty pine T&G.  I want it to look great, and stain evenly.  Should I use something like a Cabots clear or a verithane finish?  There is a probably 6,000 linear feet of T&G and I don't want to mess it up...and don't really trust my contractors knowledge on the subject.  Any help you can provide is greatly appreciated.  Do I need to apply any pre-stain (like Bix), some guy I was talking to said that pine doesn't stain evenly and without prestaining would look uneven and blotchy.  Help!!!

ANSWER: Hey Will, there are many ways to finish paneling like this, and it may or may not need a conditioner depending on the type and color of the stain.Cabots clear and Varathane are clear...so it's not an issue with being blotchy. The only way to know, and an important step in a project like this, is to do some samples of your finishes to see what you like and how it will look. Have your contractor help you select a few ideas, and different products, and then do some samples on the same material. I would tend towards an oil stain type product that can be applied easily, doesn't have a noticeable gloss, and can be reapplied. The technique used to cover that much area will also be important, also, to make sure you get even coverage and blending.Hope that helps a little, but every situation is different. Post back if need be, and experiment, that will lead you where you need to go. - Greg

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QUESTION: Greg,

Thanks for the input.  A quick follow-up:  Once the 1x6 knotty pine T&G is up on the walls do I need to wait for any amount of time before putting the Varathane Poly on it (to limit cupping)?  Some of the boards when delivered had gotten rain on them and want to make sure I do all I can to keep it from warping and cupping.  The contractors have already installed most of it, will letting it air out (while already installed) help anything or is it better to get the Varathane on as soon as possible?  Thanks for your insights.

ANSWER: What they do is more important then what you do.....as in they need to let the material acclimate to the environment for several days before installing it, especially if it got wet....just like flooring, it shouldn't be brought in to the area and immediately installed.....I assume it's all blind nailed, on the tongues side only.......have you done a sample as I suggested with the Varathane? to make sure it's as you want it to be, and that finishing it will be successful? I'm not sure I'd pick that product.......make sure it is what you want BEFORE you start in on it......

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QUESTION: Greg,

I hear you.  I am not overly confident that the materials were allowed to acclimate properly...but it is up on the walls already.  What is the likely result of not acclimating?  How bad do you think it may end up?  Give me the cold hard truth.

Also, I have taken some boards down to the local Kelly Moore store and done samples with Cabot's Clear Solution and Varathane Poly Semi-gloss and Satin.  I like the Semi-gloss as the satin is pretty dull.  You mentioned that you weren't sure you'd pick that product,  what would you recommend?  Is varathane not a good product, or is there something better?  My goal is to keep it light in color, almost natural, and trying to avoid the "amber effect" of stains.  I have banged on the Varathane covered board and brushed against it and it seems not to get buffed off or lose its luster when doing so.  Let me know what you would do if it was your project.  

thanks for all of your insights, I know I have been asking a lot of question.

Best,

Will

Answer
It'll probably move around a bit, gaps, small cracks....can happen. The real concern with a surface finish like the Varathane is going to be applying it evenly and consistently....penetrating oils,oil stains,oil finishes, are much more forgiving, and typically easier to apply evenly as they are low to no gloss. Is the Varathane an Acrylic? (waterborne) That will leave the Pine the lightest of all the finishes, but because it's a surface film finish, variations in you application will cause differences in light reflection, sheen, etc., over the wide expanse of all that surface area, it may create an uneven effect....and be warned...the Pine is going to darken, exposure to UV, oxidation, and the natural aging process will cause the Pine to darken and take on a more Brown hue....no matter what you do.