How to Whitewash Cabinets
Whitewashing, sometimes called pickling or liming, is an excellent way to revamp wood cabinetry quickly with little cost. Whitewashing wood cabinets will completely change their look and complement other whitewashed wood in the room, such as trim or furniture. This traditional finish can be applied quickly and easily and give your wood furnishings a distinctive appearance.
- Difficulty:
- Moderate
Instructions
Things You'll Need
- Sandpaper
- Sawhorses or work bench
- Paint canvases
- Paint scraper
- Whitewash stain
- Rags or cloths
- Foam brush
- Screwdriver or drill
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1
Select a whitewash or pickling stain; consult manufacturer's guidelines for information about selecting and applying specific products.
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2
Remove the cabinet doors using a screwdriver or drill. Set aside the hardware and screws in a safe place.
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3
Set up saw-horses and place the cabinet doors on the sawhorses. Or, clear off space from a work bench or table where you can paint the doors and leave them to dry.
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4
Protect the work area with paint canvases.
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5
Prepare the doors and trim by removing any old paint or stain and sand until smooth.
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6
Wipe the surfaces with a damp cloth to remove all traces of dust and sawdust.
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7
Apply the stain liberally using a foam brush or rag.
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8
Allow stain to penetrate the wood surface and then wipe off excess stain with a clean, dry cloth before it dries.
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9
Apply additional coats of stain as needed to darken and enrich tones allowing to dry three hours between each coat.
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10
Let the cabinets dry for 24 hours after the last application of stain.
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11
If you are staining both sides of cabinet doors, allow surfaces to dry completely before turning over the doors to paint the other side.
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12
Replace the cabinet doors, hinges and other hardware when all surfaces are completely dry.
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1
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.
