Whitewashing (also called pickling) is a great way to dress up wooden walls or furniture, or to duplicate historical finishes. True whitewashing uses hydrated lime, which is caustic and not quite color-safe. Use a whitewash stain or diluted house paint to achieve the look with less fuss.
What You'll Need
- Minwax Water-Based Whitewash Stain
- or Water-based Benjamin Moore low-lustre Waterbourne satin Impervo in white
- No 150 Sandpaper
- Short-nap roller
- Soft bristle brush
- Lots of clean, dry rags
- Scotch-Brite steel wool pad
- Optional: Sander
The Process
1. PICK YOUR PAINT: Select a whitewash or pickling stain—consult manufacturer's guidelines for information about applying specific products—or make your own by taking latex-based paint and reducing with water by 25 percent. If you want more wood to show, use more water.
2. PREP THE SURFACE: Sand and clean all surfaces to be whitewashed. Remove any existing paint or stain by sanding with 150 grit sandpaper until smooth. A light sanding will ensure the finish has the tooth it needs to stick. If you're starting with unfinished wood, make sure to clean away any excess dirt or cobwebs. TIP: You might want to invest in a small palm sander to make the sanding process easier and quicker.
3. PAINT: Apply the whitewash liberally over the wood. Before it dries, wipe off as much of the excess stain as necessary to get the look you want. Always wipe in the direction of the wood grain. We recommend working as a team, with one of you applying stain and the other wiping. This will make it easier to achieve an even finish. TIP: As you apply your whitewash, cover a small area at a time with a brush, wipe off the excess with a rag, and then use a dry soft bristle brush over the still-damp surface. This will eliminate the ropy streaks that wiping can leave.
4. APPLY ADDITIONAL COATS: Allow whitewash to dry completely before the next coat. Apply more coats, wiping off excess stain with a clean cloth each time, until you achieve the color you want. Allow to dry between each coat.
5. LET DRY: Let the wood trim dry for 24 hours after the last application of stain.
6. FINISHING TOUCH: For a smoother finish, rub the entire surface gently with a steel-wool scouring pad.
