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what should I finish my knotty pine ceiling with?

16 years ago

I'm building a 3 season sunroom that has a Tongue in Groove Knotty pine vaulted ceiling. My contractor said that if I didn't want to stain it, I could just apply linseed oil periodically. Well, I was reading on the net that linseed oil can encourage mildew growth. 1) Is this true? What about shellac as an option?

I want to keep it looking natural, but since the floors are terra cotta colored tile I thought that a color would warm up the ceiling instead of being so yellow. I don't want the finish to be shiny though. What do y'all think? Thanks in advance.

Patrice

Featured Answer

bobismyuncle

16 years ago

If it was mine, I'd use shellac. If it's too glossy, at the end rub it out with a bit of scotch-brite or similar non-woven abrasive pad.

Several advantages:
- Easily renewed or repaired by adding more shellac
- Seals the resins in the knots

Yes, pine can be stained. But it stains with difficulty, as witnessed by all the trim in the restaurant I was in over the weekend. Left to its on, the pine will develop a nice patina, particularly in a UV rich room such as a three season room.

Linseed oil will be more of a maintenance problem.

Or you can do both. Put on some linseed oil, let it dry for a week, then put on a couple of coats of shellac.

Before you jump in with both feet, get some scrap from the contractor and test out your finish options to see if they are to your liking.

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Comments (6)

Mommyquilter
Original Author
16 years ago
thanks bobsmycuncle for the good ideas.
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I forgot to mention the lacca insect is in danger because when its pulled off that mass of sticky stuff it spent a mounth or so building up it gets pinched to death. Any clear or natural finish will do twp makes a 500 series extorted by the green mafia that has a very low voc count. Keep in mind if you put even water on those boards they will darken up same with any clear finish. Natural wood means different things to different people most of the time when Folks say this it means they want the wood to stay exactley how it looks when newley installed thats not going to happen installed exposed to the weather. However....it sounds like your ceiling is not geting any direct weather expousure you could just leave it alone,thats what I did with mine same kinda T%G knoty pine. The down side is its rough so when cobwebs/dust get on it cleaning is a bit involved. Thats where the finish come in it smooths out the stuff. Anything you put on is going to have a a smell for a while,linseed oil takes forever to set up, Sooooooo Pick out a finish you like after its on set up a couple of big fans with one faced to a door way and one straight up on the pine. Close off all other exits and take your Youngen to the zoo that day. John
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It would be helpful to see pics of the opposite wall with painted white brick and more of the room. Your mirrors & light gray furniture give impression you are craving light. Suggestion: First, clean the paneling well & paint out or replace the fireplace insert black to match other accessories & make it less prominent. Then, decide if the paneling is too dark or wrong color to work with furniture + rest of the house & same with brick. It seems like remaining decisions, e.g. paint paneling or replace with drywall, paint brick or reface, add mantle, add bookshelves, etc. will depend on your budget.
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Those current wall colors are awful as they don't even seem to complement the actual wood tones and they are dark. It looks like an awful murky dreary mess. There has to be a color that lightens and brightens the room without it being a "horrible contrast". There is a veritable universe of light paint colors which read completely differently from each other because of the undertones. You might really benefit from hiring a true color specialist to suggest a specific paint that works best in your room. And of course lighting would make a huge difference.
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There have been some great suggestions, but I feel like we’re working in a vacuum here. What is your vision for your home? Although this has focused on the knotty pine, whether to paint it, and what flooring to pick, so much of the process is about the style you want, the furniture you have (or will buy), the colors you like, and the budget. I could go with light oak flooring, old Oriental rugs, nautical touches, red and navy and off-white, but I could also pick a dark green marmoleum floor, Morris chairs, black painted bookcases, a more rustic vibe, and plaids. How do you see it all coming together?
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jamesbodell
16 years ago
Take a look at Waterlox. I love the stuff, I used it on my pine floors.
oruboris
16 years ago
I'm in a similar situation, but am starting my own thread about it-- don't want to be a hijacker.

Just wanted to say linseed, though wonderful in many regards, probably would darken your ceiling quite a lot. I've sprayed in on my father's shake roof at his insistence, and was a little apalled at how much it darkened. But encourage mildew? No. You don't get mildew unless you have moisture, and then your wood finish isn't the main concern.

Linseed was used in interior and exterior oil paints for years, was only replaced when petro chemicals became a cheaper alternative.

I'd use some scrap pieces for color tests before commiting to anything. If you paint a wall the wrong color, its easy to paint over it. Wood finishing is a great deal less forgiving-- a penetrating finish like linseed can never be completely removed and will affect every subsequent layer you put over it [accept, again, for paint].
Dara Strader
7 years ago
Putting a knotty pine TG ceiling on our big back porch. All the posts and trim are painted white. The natural pine boards are too light. Want some contrast in colors?? Any ideas?? Not fond of wiping stain on and off? I have about 48 boards to finish. Do want some color and would like a glossy finish. Help!! Thanks
User
7 years ago
Shellac over coated with gloss polyurethane.

The color chart can be seen Shellac colors

And a place to order Is here.

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