How to whitewash painted furniture?

Whitewashing painted furniture is a great way to give it a fresh, vintage look. I white washed my furniture a few weeks ago, so I can tell you  how to whitewash furniture easily. Read on to get the steps.

How Do I Whitewash Furniture?

• To start, I prepared my furniture by cleaning it thoroughly to remove any dust or grease. 

• As the existing paint was glossy, I lightly sanded the surface with fine-grit sandpaper to help the whitewash adhere better. 

• After sanding, I wiped down the furniture to remove any dust.

• Next, I mixed the whitewash solution. I usually combine white latex paint with water in a ratio of about 1 part paint to 2 parts water. The exact ratio can vary depending on how transparent I want the finish to be. For a more opaque look, I use less water; for a more translucent effect, I add more.

• I then applied the whitewash using a brush or a clean cloth. I worked in small sections, brushing on the mixture and then wiped it off with a cloth to achieve the desired effect. The more I wipe, the more of the original color will show through.

• Once I whitewashed the entire piece, I let it dry completely. 

• As needed, I applied a second coat for a more intense whitewashed look. 

• Finally, I finished with a clear sealer to protect the surface and enhance the durability of the whitewash.

I hope you get a clear picture on how do you whitewash furniture.

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A favourite among homeowners and designers for its textural, casual look, whitewashing has been a popular form of treating wood for decades. In this easy step-by-step tutorial, I will tell you how to whitewash painted furniture to give it that classic vintage look. It might look complicated because the results are amazing and the process is very simple!

• White paint

• Paint stirrer

• Bucket

• Paintbrush

• Wood furnishing or surface

• Sandpaper

• Rag

• Dropcloth

• First, sand the furniture you are planning to whitewash. You want to ensure the paint will adhere to the wood (which is harder when it is watered down), so get previous paint or sealant off with sandpaper. After that, wipe the furniture down with a rag.

• Mix your white paint with water. You can opt for a 1:1 ratio for an opaque look. If you want it to be a bit streakier, then mix more water.

• After that, you can start applying the whitewash. You can apply it with a brush for grain, a rag for a smoother look, or pour it on for an all-over glaze. You can even use a paintbrush if you don't mind the look of brushstrokes.

• You may have to use a second coat depending on how opaque you want the whitewash.

• Allow the whitewash to dry. It will take less time to dry than it’d take with normal paint since whitewash is thinner. However, you should leave it for at least a couple of hours before touching. Allow it to sit overnight before using.

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I hope now you have a complete understanding of how to whitewash painted furniture.