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How To

How to Whitewash Furniture

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(53 Ratings)

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
  • Sandpaper
  • Paint scraper
  • Whitewash stain
  • Rags or cloths
  • Foam brush
  1. Step 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. Step 2

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

  3. Step 3

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

  4. Step 4

    Apply the stain liberally using a foam brush or rag.

  5. Step 5

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

  6. Step 6

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

  7. Step 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.

Comments  

dmarsh said

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on 11/5/2009 I am wanting to white wash a large outside deck. I didn't want to paint it a solid white and thought this would be a good alternative. What do I need to do and what product would be good to withstand the weather. Thanks

PamW said

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on 8/26/2007 To redo a chair that has been whitewashed when new- do I need to strip off the old coats or do I just sand the chair and start at step one?

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