How to white wash wood. For this project i used Chalk Paint – Pure White by Annie Sloan and White wax also by Annie Sloan. In this post i will show you how to mix a very simple mixture and the technique i used to apply this to the pine wood. #DIY #Furnituremakeover #Furnituremakeoverideas
Come and join me and see how i have achieved this subtle whitewashed look.
Pine is a beautiful wood in many ways. From the knots, to the patterns. But styles change and this desperately needed a makeover.
It is such a fun feeling to take a piece of furniture and update its look. Whether you completely change the look or just subtly change parts!
Its such a rewarding feeling!
Step 1 – Cleaning
Before i start the process of the whitewashing. I always clean the piece of furniture i am going to be refinishing. This is a crucial step.
Over the years grime and dirt can build up on a piece of furniture. This must be properly washed away.
I use a furniture cleaner that i buy at the hardware store, something similiar to TSP. Something that is specifically designed for washing furniture.
I thoroughly wash the piece. I also quickly wipe over it with a cloth with just water on it to remove any residual cleaning product. So that this doesnt effect the outcome of the finish.
Unbelievable how dirty furniture is sometimes!!!
Step 2 – Sanding
After the piece of furniture has dried, i began sanding the whole thing. I work in the direction of the grain and used 220 grit sand paper.
This is to open up the grain to allow the whitewash to work its way into the wood easier. This really makes a big difference. But this step can feel a little unnecessary but really makes a difference in how the paint sinks into the wood.
Step 3 – Whitewashing
(I mix 1.1 ratio) of paint to water. In this project i used Pure White Chalk Paint by Annie Sloan. It is also possible to use any water based paint.
I found this such a fun project. It is amazing to see the difference.
This process is simple and you achieve such a beautiful look.
I wanted to update this cuboard and change it to become lighter and brighter.
To freshen up the dated pine. There is something so satisfying about whitewashing wood.
The things i used for this project:
- Pure white paint and white wax by Annie Sloan (Find a stockist here)
- Paint brushes
- Spray bottle
- Water
- Cloth/ old rags to wipe off excess
Step 4 – Waxing with white wax
After the paint has fully dried i began the waxing process.
White wax is more pliable in my opinion! I feel it stretches further and is almost softer. This makes it easier to use for some projects.
I change my mind when it comes to how i like to apply the wax. If there is a large flat surface it can be easier to apply with a lint free cloth. If it is carvings/appliques/ indents it can work much better with a brush.
I usually just grab a cheap chip brush or my trusted Annie Sloan waxing brush. Depends a little on whether it is clean. I try but sometimes lazieness takes over.
I then work in small sections at a time. I have learnt to work quite methodically when doing the waxing to not miss any areas. Moving from one side to the other, putting the wax on first then wiping off any excess.
This is one of the areas i have suffered most with! I used to wipe off the wax and think that was enough but i realised i really had to wipe. Until the cloth easily slides across the surface.
I have started to have a last stage cloth at hand to wipe over a few last times just to be sure that there will not be any tackiness left.
I love the effect of white washing wood. It is so satisfying seeing the change in color of the wood. I have used the same effect with different colors and the results are lovely. There really is an endless amount of colors to use as washes.
Hope you liked reading this article and feel free to write me a message if there is anything your wondering about. Sign up for my email updates for weekly makeovers.
Anna x
