How to Stain Your Furniture White
Staining your furniture white is also referred to as whitewashing or liming. The stain not only gives the furniture a new look, but the process actually protects the wood from nicks and stains. White-stained furniture has an Old-World appearance that complements French country and cottage decorating styles. You can purchase white wood stain from a hardware or home improvement store and stain your furniture yourself. Practice the process on a piece of scrap wood to perfect the technique before staining your furniture. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- 240-grit sanding sponge
- 240-grit sandpaper
- Cloth
- Paint-can opener or screwdriver
- Stir stick
- Paintbrushes
- Rags
- Sanding sealer
- Varnish
Instructions
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Sand the flat surfaces of the furniture with a 240-grit sanding sponge. Sand any curves with a piece of 240-grit sandpaper. Sand until the entire piece is smooth and free of imperfections.
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Wipe off the sawdust with a slightly damp cloth. Let the furniture dry completely.
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Open a can of white stain with a paint-can opener or screwdriver. Stir the contents with a paint stir stick.
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Dip a paintbrush into can. Brush the stain onto the piece of furniture in the same direction as the wood grain. Saturate the wood, but apply an even layer to ensure even coloring.
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Pat the flat side of the bristles gently over the areas you just painted. This process, called flogging, breaks up the brush lines so the stain soaks in evenly.
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Wipe off the stain immediately with a rag, in the same order as you applied it. Replace the rag with a new one when it becomes covered with stain.
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Let the piece of furniture dry completely.
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Open and stir a can of sanding sealer. Dip a paintbrush into the sealer. Apply a thin coat over the entire piece of furniture to help protect the white stain. Brush the sealer on in the direction of the wood grain. Let it dry completely.
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Sand the entire piece of furniture with 280-grit sanding blocks and sandpaper until the surface is smooth and dull.
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Wipe up the sawdust with a slightly damp cloth. Let the piece dry completely.
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Open and stir a can of varnish. Brush a thin layer of varnish onto the piece of furniture, using a paintbrush. The varnish will protect the stain and prevent the piece from scratches or nicks.
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Let the varnish dry for at least 48 hours before using the furniture. Drying times can vary depending on the weather, your climate and the manufacturer's recommendations.
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Tips & Warnings
Apply stain and varnish in a well-ventilated area.
