How to Whitewash Trim

Whitewashing, sometimes called pickling or liming, is an excellent way to add luster to the wood trim in your home or change the look completely, particularly to complement whitewashed furniture or cabinets. This traditional finish can be applied quickly and easily and give your wood trim a distinctive appearance.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sandpaper
• Sandpaper
• Paint scraper
• Blue painter's tape
• 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.

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. Use blue painter's tape to tape off the borders of the trim to protect the walls and ceiling.

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

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

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

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