Ways to refinish knotty pine paneling

How can one either cover gym-seal or remove it from knotty pine wall paneling altogether? I'd like a different finish. Helen L. Chobert

Gym-seal? If you mean a gymnasium floor finish that is similar to varnish, then the best way to take it off is to use a standard chemical paint remover.

Old-fashioned sanding and scraping also would do the trick.A belt sander, which is available at most rental yards, would be appropriate if it is carefully used with the proper sandpaper texture.

What you do to refinish the knotty pine is then up for grabs -- yours.

Would you then prefer a flat finish on the panels? If so, consider a flat varnish, shell ac, lacquer, or an oil or oil stain.