How to Whitewash and Pickle Kitchen Cabinets
If you are thinking of pickling your kitchen cabinets, the result depends on wood type. Pickled whitewash, an '80s trend usually involving the use of pastel paint colors, is a technique commonly seen on raw oak, birch and maple surfaces. Unlike ordinary kitchen cabinet paint, the pickling method requires a less opaque application of color to allow the beauty of the natural wood grain to show through. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Fine-grit sandpaper
- Oil-based stain
- Paint mixing stick
- Clean cotton cloth
Instructions
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Sand the wood lightly with fine-grit sandpaper to remove any shine and help the paint adhere. Wipe down the kitchen cabinets with a microfiber cloth to remove residues from sanding.
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Remove all hardware from the kitchen cabinets, using a screwdriver. Place the hardware and screws in a sealed plastic baggie so you can account for everything when the pickled whitewashing is complete.
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Prepare an oil-based paint for the pickling. Choose an opaque, flat white or pastel oil-based stain. Open the can and stir the stain well, using a wooden paint mixing stick.
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Open all of the windows to let some fresh air in, then brush the stain onto the cabinets. There is no need for perfection. Wait approximately 10 minutes, giving the stain time to sink into the pores of the wood.
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Fold a clean cotton cloth neatly into a palm-sized square. Use the cloth to wipe the stain from the wood. Use long strokes, wiping from top to bottom. Continue wiping all of the cabinets until you achieve the desired pickled look.
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Wait 24 hours and brush on an even coat of non-yellowing, water-based, crystal-clear polyurethane. Wait two hours, then sand lightly with fine-grit sandpaper. Wipe down the cabinets with a microfiber cloth and brush on a second coat of polyurethane for a shinier look.
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Tips & Warnings
If your cabinets already have a layer of paint, it is important to strip the cabinets down to bare wood, using a paint stripper. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the label, sand the cabinets lightly, then apply your whitewash.
Do not apply stain or polyurethane without opening the windows first to avoid over-inhalation of fumes.
References
Resources
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