Our fire surround has been painted with too strong a colour and want it to look like a pale pine colour. Can I strip it easily? And should fit be stained- or just polished?

Is there a product I can use to keep my knotty pine paneling the raw ‘blonde’ color it is after sanding? Polyurethane and acrylic urethane both turn the wood a darker honey/golden hue.

I have a small cement porch can I use the deck paint I have on that..?

I have installed pine beadboard on a short wall that I want to finish. I want to achieve a “honey” color. I’ve been told to simply use a polyurathane and the wood “ages” and I’ll receive the desired color. Others have told me to use varnish. What’s the difference? And