How to Whitewash Pine Furniture

Sometimes called antiquing or pickling—whitewashing—is the best technique for breathing new life into a tired piece of pine furniture.

One of the major reasons for people to buy new furniture is that the furniture looks old and tired after some time that is furniture loses its shine and beauty with time. People who are very interested in stylish furniture can’t bare the old furniture for long. So a remedy to make the old, tired pine furniture to look beautiful one can whitewash the pine furniture. 

Whitewashing is an excellent finish for pine because it offers a more rustic look that perfectly complements pine’s unique texture. It is the process of applying a thinned coat of paint to wood to add a wash of color and bring out its grain. Whitewashing doesn’t mask the details of wood beneath thus allowing the grains of wood to show.

The following steps should be considered for whitewashing pine furniture:

Take it back to naked wood:

In order to whitewash pine furniture you would have to remove the existing paint finishes from the piece of pine furniture you want to whitewash thus taking it back to naked wood in order to expose the wood grain.

Use fine grade sandpaper:

Sanding should be done using a fine grade sandpaper to remove any varnish. Sanding should be done in the direction of the wood grain.

Remove any loose particles:

After sanding the furniture, remove any loose particles from furniture by dusting.

Clean damp cloth to be used:

It is required to remove all the debris from the furniture.

Masking tape to be used:

It is applied to hinges, key holes and fingerplates.

Thin layer of whitewash:

Furniture is painted with a thin layer of whitewash. This should be done from the top of the item to the bottom. Paint in the direction of the wood grain for better results.

Over-saturation of tape:

Check-out if the masking tape is over-saturated with paint or has become loose.

Second thin coat of whitewash:

It is applied for proper finish. Leave furniture to dry completely.

Photo Credit: http://www.ehow.com/boards/paint-wood-furniture-4404510/