How to Refinish Furniture in a Whitewash Finish
Whitewash is a subtle finish that covers wood in a sheer application to enhance -- but not cover -- grain markings. The use of a whitewash finish shows off the natural beauty of wood and is easy to use in your wood furniture refinishing project. Whitewash finish is different from traditional white paint, in that the coverage is light and allows you to see the wood through the paint. Whether you want to whitewash your dining table or a wooden rocking chair, preparing the surface is important to achieve the look you are going for. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Plastic sheet
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Paint stripper
- Putty knife
- Cloth
- Whitewash stain
- Synthetic paintbrush
- Clear finish
Instructions
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Place the furniture onto a plastic sheet outside your home, in a secure, well-ventilated area, such as the garage.
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Sand natural, lightly stained or evenly painted wood with fine-grit sandpaper, by hand, to smooth and prepare the surface for the whitewash. For furniture with peeling or chipped paint, apply a thin layer of paint stripper to the surface and leave it on as directed by the manufacturer's instructions. Scrape away the removed paint with a putty knife after the recommended time and then smooth out with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe the furniture down with a clean cloth to remove any dust.
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Apply the whitewash finish to the furniture with a synthetic paintbrush, such as nylon, polyester or a blend of the two. Brush the whitewash onto the wood, going in the same direction as the grain. You may only need one coat, as the wood grain should be visible through the finish.
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Allow the furniture to dry for at least three hours. For extra protection, add a clear finish over the whitewash and allow to dry for an additional three hours.
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References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
