Cladding is feasible, but will always look like what is is.

I imagine that stain could be removed fairly easily by sanding, although it would create some dust. (only the beams)

You might test a gel stain too. It will obscure the wood some, but might work better than painting and cladding.

I think the finish on that ceiling looks great! But, I'm not the one living there. :)

Don't paint over and/or clad the beams. If you're going to change it, do it right. Hire professionals to strip the finish and re-stain the wood.

Get a faux finisher. The good ones make you think wood is marble at eye level. At that height, an okay one will work fine.

Yeah, because nobody would ever think that a 16-foot 6" x 10" marble "beam" would look stupid.

The term is faux bois. It's been in the repertoire of artists for centuries. Who would even think that marbleizing was actually being suggested, rather than the technique of faking it???

If they applied this finish to the top of the beam, you have the opportunity to try sanding a one foot length. Try applying a gel stain on another foot section without sanding. If you stay away from the sides, nobody will know or see the test areas except you. It's worth a try.

Hi All;

I was at the house over the weekend and talked to the former owner so I have some more insight. They applied minwax wood finish pickled oak to all wood surfaces: oak cabinet fronts; sanded unpainted pine doors, window frames; unfinished pine ceiling planks and beams. I think they thought it would make it all look the same. (Not sure why they thought that). The ceilings (pine planks/beams) that most alarm me I noticed this weekend really look bad because the stain absorbed at different levels. Possibly due to no or poor sanding. I will attach some photos. In some areas with certain light it looks like it's white washed.

I will attempt several tests before I make any final decisions.

A good faux finisher could glaze over this for a more resonable cost then cladding and re staining.

Any updates? I'm looking at a similar situation.... but of my own doing. We did a whitewash pickle stain but I'm now slightly regretting it and wondering what my options are. Trying to find insight into glazing over it, or just whatever's worked for other people!!