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Whitewashing is a type of surface covering that is used as a sealant typically on farms for the inside of barns and chicken coops. Traditional whitewash is made by mixing powdered lime with water and provides a paint or sealant that is non-toxic and safe for animals. Many people like the look of whitewash because it’s a thinner paint that allows the natural wood grain to show. It has become a trend to create a whitewash look for household furniture. Although traditional whitewash isn’t a good choice for furniture because it easily rubs off, you can achieve the whitewash look for your furniture by thinning latex paint with water.
Steps
Making Traditional Whitewash
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1Gather the materials. To make traditional whitewash, you’ll need a few materials that can be purchased at your local home improvement store.[1]
- Hydrated lime, also known as builders or masonry lime. Make sure you don’t get garden lime because this is a different substance.
- Fine grade salt
- Water
- A large bucket
- A dust mask, protective eyeglasses, and gloves
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2Mix the whitewash. Combine all of the ingredients in the large bucket to create the whitewash. Make sure to wear protective gear to minimize the risk of being hurt from the lime powder. Wearing a dust mask, protective eyeglasses, and gloves should be sufficient.
- Mix 2 cups of salt with 1 gallon of warm water and stir to dissolve the salt.[2]
- Add 6 to 8 cups of hydrated lime to the salt water.
- Mix well until the lime is dissolved.
- The mixture should be thinner than traditional paint.
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3Paint with the whitewash. Use a paintbrush, roller, or paint sprayer to paint the whitewash where desired.
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4Let the whitewash dry. Allow the whitewash time to dry completely. The wash will turn white as it dries.
Creating a Whitewash Look for Furniture
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1Collect the necessary materials to begin. You can easily get the materials needed to create a whitewash look for furniture from your local home improvement store.[3]
- White latex paint
- Sandpaper, sanding block, or orbital sander
- Water
- Water-based polyurethane, if you want a sealant.
- A cloth
- A bucket or container
- Paintbrush
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2Sand the furniture. Whitewash looks best on raw wood so you need to use sandpaper, a sanding block, or an orbital sander to sand down the furniture. This will remove any finish already on the furniture for the whitewash paint to create the look you’re wanting.[4]
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3Wipe the furniture with a dry tack cloth. You need to remove all of the sawdust from sanding before painting the whitewash on the furniture to ensure a smooth finish. Use a dry tack cloth to wipe down the furniture and remove any dust on it.
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4Mix the whitewash. Add one part paint to one part water in a bucket or container, and mix well. This will thin down the latex paint making it look more like traditional whitewash when you paint it on the furniture by letting the natural wood grain show through the paint.[5]
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5Paint the whitewash on the furniture. Use a paintbrush to paint the whitewash onto the furniture using long brush strokes that follow the wood grain. Apply thin coats for the best results.[6]
- Work in small sections because whitewash dries quickly.
- Allow the paint to dry completely, and then add more coats until you reach your desired look.
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6Create a finish. If desired, after the paint dries. you can paint a water-based polyurethane on the furniture to create a sealant and a finish. This is optional, but may make the whitewash look last longer.
- Choose between a matte or satin finish.
Expert Q&A
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QuestionWhich would be the best method for a wood board ceiling? Would the traditional way last?
Mark SpelmanMark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.
Construction ProfessionalThe traditional method would work well. You should seal the whitewash with varnish or polyurethane when you're done.
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QuestionCan I use oil-based polyurethane?Mark SpelmanMark Spelman is a General Contractor based in Austin, Texas. With over 30 years of construction experience, Mark specializes in constructing interiors, project management, and project estimation. He has been a construction professional since 1987.
Construction ProfessionalDefinitely. This sealer will be a bit stronger than water-based polyurethane.Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.
Warnings
- Lime is highly caustic so you need to take some precautions when handling it. Wear a face mask when you’re scooping the lime out so you don’t inhale the lime dust. It’s also recommended to wear safety glasses and gloves when handling lime as well.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- If you don’t seal your whitewash painted furniture, the paint will be more susceptible to wearing away.⧼thumbs_response⧽
- Unless you apply a sealer on top, whitewash is recommended for inside use only.⧼thumbs_response⧽
References
- ↑ http://www.theprairiehomestead.com/2014/07/whitewash-recipe-barn-coop.html
- ↑ http://www.5acresandadream.com/2014/05/amish-whitewash.html
- ↑ http://www.designsponge.com/2010/09/before-and-after-basics-whitewash.html
- ↑ http://www.bobvila.com/articles/whitewashing/#.VkskbrerTjE
- ↑ http://www.countryliving.com/diy-crafts/how-to/a4668/whitewash-furniture/
- ↑ http://www.perfectlyimperfectblog.com/2010/10/whitewashing-vs-dry-brushing.html
About This Article
To make whitewash, mix 2 cups of salt with 1 gallon of warm water and stir to dissolve the salt. Then mix in 6 to 8 cups of hydrated lime to finish the whitewash, which will be thinner than regular paint. Apply the whitewash with a brush or paint sprayer. To make whitewash with latex paint, mix 1 part white latex paint with 1 part water and apply the mixture like you would apply paint. Keep reading for tips on what type of lime to use and how to seal it in.
