How to Whitewash Furniture

Whitewashing, sometimes called pickling or liming, can be applied quickly and easily to give wood furnishings a distinctive appearance. It creates a wax-like coating that protects wood and brings out the luster of wood grain. Tints and dyes can be added during the whitewashing process to achieve a frosted or "French Cottage" look.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Sandpaper
• Paint scraper
• Whitewash stain
• Rags or cloths
• Foam brush

1. Select a whitewash or pickling stain; consult manufacturer's guidelines for information about selecting and applying specific products and adding tints or dyes.

2. Prepare the surface by removing any paint or stain previously applied to the furniture and sand until smooth.

3. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth to remove all traces of dust and sawdust.

4. Apply the stain liberally using a foam brush or rag.

5. Allow stain to penetrate the wood surface and then wipe off excess stain with a clean, dry cloth before it dries.

6. Apply additional coats of stain as needed to darken and enrich tones allowing to dry three hours between each coat.

7. Let the furniture dry for 24 hours after the last application of stain.

Tips & Warnings

• Wipe off stain in the direction of the wood grain. Applying more pressure will result in lighter tones, less pressure will result in darker tones.

• Work as a team with one of you applying stain and the other wiping excess stain to ensure a consistent finish.

• Before applying whitewash to furniture, whitewash a piece of similar wood or a small portion of the furniture that's hidden from view to confirm that the results will be as desired.

• Leftover stain and empty cans may harm the environment; contact your local hazardous materials coordinator for disposal information.