
- Whitewashing pine and other types of wood. Pine is softwood and it can be easily damaged because of its natural tendency to move, unlike other hardwood.
- Things you will need
- Instructions
- Paint and water technique. You must first clean the wood you will work on. Wash with gentle soap and water. Dry the wood completely.
- Paint and wax to whitewash wood. Try the paint and wax technique for a distressed appearance. For areas of the wood that you don’t want to be painted, use wax.
How do you whitewash paneling?
Instead of tearing the paneling out and starting fresh, lighten it up with a homemade paint-based whitewash. While traditional whitewashing is done with lime, a paint-based whitewash will produce similar results. Mixing the whitewash yourself allows you to make it as bright and bold or thin as you'd like.
How do you whitewash pine furniture?
Wash with gentle soap and water. Dry the wood completely. Sand the wood down it if is very rough. A smoother surface makes it easier for the whitewash to be absorbed. If you need to use soap, make sure the wood dries completely before you begin to whitewash. Stain the pine wood to make the grains stand out.
Can You whitewash knotty pine walls?
Knotty pine can be changed with only a few steps and a little hard work. This usually includes painting and staining the wood. Have you considered another alternative that will brighten the wood but still keep it looking natural? You can whitewash your varnished knotty pine walls pretty simple once you know how.
How do you whitewash sanded wood?
Stain your sanded wood with a brown or gray stain to give it a more aged look, but don't use a self-sealing stain. Let the stain dry completely, and then lightly sand and wipe down the wood again before whitewashing. Commercial whitewashes are easy to use and offer reliable results, but you can also mix your own whitewash using flat latex paint.

How do you whitewash pine boards?
2:366:26How to Whitewash Wood with Paint - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipStore that's just for paint.MoreStore that's just for paint.
What kind of paint do you use to whitewash pine?
We recommend a water and paint mixture. It's super easy to mix and apply, and it's budget-friendly. Mix white, latex paint with water in a 1:1 ratio, which will give you a nice, transparent look. Test on a scrap piece of wood or an inconspicuous area, then adjust the ratio to your liking.
Can wood paneling be whitewashed?
Whitewash the Panels You can get the same look by whitewashing your panels. Again, a light sanding will help the paint adhere. Dilute white latex paint with water, and oil-based paint with turpentine. Use a 2 to 1 ratio of paint to water for thicker coverage, and reverse the ratio for a thinner application.
How do you lighten pine paneling?
A great solution would be to try an environmentally safe, non-toxic citrus stripper called CitriStrip before staining the wood to brighten up the room. The only other option — that would preserve the knotty pine — is to sand everything down, get down to the bare wood, and bleach the walls.
Do you have to sand before whitewashing?
Do I need to sand before whitewashing? Nope, you don't have to at all. People do because they think that it adheres better but I didn't do it with mine and it worked out perfectly.
How do you make a washed wood look?
0:005:075 DIY White Wash Finishes for Wood - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWhitewash i let the stain soak into the wood for about 10 minutes. And then used a clean lint-freeMoreWhitewash i let the stain soak into the wood for about 10 minutes. And then used a clean lint-free rag to wipe off the excess. This is the important part of the process.
Can you GREY wash wood paneling?
Grey washing your wood paneling is a great way to brighten up a dark room. Before you begin painting, you must remove and cover any furniture with plastic. Then begin by cleaning and sanding the paneling. Once the walls are prepped, you can begin grey washing them.
How do you make dark wood paneling lighter?
How to Brighten Up Dark Wood PanelingLightly sand the paneling with 100-grit sandpaper to remove any gloss.Use a damp cloth to wipe any sanding dust off the walls.Prime the walls with a quality primer and allow to dry.Apply two topcoats of wall paint.
How do you white wash a wall panel?
7:0810:32How to whitewash paneling - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo dip your paintbrush in there you can see it kind of kind of watery. If it's too watery you mightMoreSo dip your paintbrush in there you can see it kind of kind of watery. If it's too watery you might want to add some more primer and less mineral spirits once I let it drip a little bit.
Can you whitewash knotty pine paneling?
You can whitewash your varnished knotty pine walls pretty simple once you know how. Many homeowners use this technique when they want to bring a nautical, farmhouse, or cottage feel to their rooms. Whitewash has changed over the years.
How do you modernize pine paneling?
Drywall. If you are tired of the look of paneling and want a more modern feel to your room, you can cover the knotty pine with drywall. Most knotty pine is 3/4 inch thick, which means you can apply drywall directly to the pine. Cut the drywall to size and screw it in place with drywall screws.
How do you make pine wood look modern?
A wood-on-white effect brightens the room and black elements offer high-contrast, which are keys to modern design. For more light reflection, give pine walls a couple of coats of high-gloss varnish or white paint; or, deemphasize knots with dark gray, blue or green stain.
How to whitewash knotty pine?
Knotty pine that has been painted or sealed with a top coat will need to be stripped to reopen the grain. Strip off paint or stain by brushing on a chemical stripper and letting it sit according to the manufacturer's directions. Once the old paint or stain has bubbled up, scrape it off with a putty knife, being careful not to gouge the softened wood. Prepare unfinished or lightly stained wood by sanding it with 100-grit sandpaper. Brush away all sanding dust before continuing. Stain your sanded wood with a brown or gray stain to give it a more aged look, but don't use a self-sealing stain. Let the stain dry completely, and then lightly sand and wipe down the wood again before whitewashing.
How to protect knotty pine from fading?
These come in many forms, but a brush-on coat of acrylic or polyurethane sealer will protect your whitewashed knotty pine from fading and staining. Use one to two coats of sealer on furniture that will be gently used. Let the sealer dry completely, sanding with 100-grit sandpaper and wiping off the dust between coats.
What color is knotty pine?
The pale golden color and generous sprinkling of open knots give knotty pine its distinctive and well-loved look. Back in the day, natural woods were whitewashed with a lime solution to keep furniture and home-building planks and boards safe from insects.
Do you seal knotty pine?
Whether or not you want to seal your whitewashed knotty pine depends on how the wood will be used. Walls and wainscoting can be allowed to age naturally, while floors, dressers, tables, beds and chairs should be sealed with a clear protective coat.
Can you use flat latex paint to whitewash?
Commercial whitewashes are easy to use and offer reliable results , but you can also mix your own whitewash using flat latex paint. This allows you to play with the color by choosing either pure white paint, a warmer cream or even adding a bit of blue, green, pink or whatever color you like to get the exact look you want. Simply mix two parts paint with one part water and you're ready to go.
Is whitewashing wood better than staining?
Whitewashing is closer in technique to staining than to painting. Use a clean paintbrush to apply the whitewash to your wood, working in long, even strokes with the grain of the knotty pine. You might have to dab the whitewash into the open knots to get full coverage, which is why a paintbrush is better for this type of wood than a roller would be.
Step 1: Remove Old Varnish
If you’re lucky, you may have some knotty pine on the walls that were never finished. I say this is lucky because you can simply skip this step. Ideally, wood should always be conditioned, sealed, and finished as a final product. However, you may be the one deciding to add that knotty pine. I promise I’m not judging.
Step 2: Prepare Your Whitewash
Select the type of whitewashing you’d like to use. Again, modern whitewashing uses paints and stains, not the actual calcimine chemical. Do you want to use water or oil-based paints or stains? This is really up to you, but latex paint is water-based and inexpensive.
Step 4: Sand and Reapply
This step may also not be necessary. Depending on how rich you want the whitewash, you may find you’d like a second or third coat. Be sure to let the whitewash dry entirely before prepping for the other coats.
Step 5: Finish
This step is optional, but a varnished piece will last longer and look more professional. Consider using polyurethane shellac to seal the paint and wood.
What is whitewashing wood?
White washing is the process of painting unfinished wood with a diluted paint solution so that the grain shows through. Traditionally, this was done with some sort of crazy chemical lime solution, but in this blog post, we are only focusing on paint and stain.
Why whitewash furniture?
Why whitewash? Whitewashing lends a softer, more natural look than a hard white coat of paint. It has lately been associated with cottage or shabby-chic style furniture; however, when applied to larger elements of a room, it can feel rustic and natural.
Can you sand paneling down to unfinished wood?
Chances are, you will end up with paneling that just looks poorly painted. A couple solutions could be to flip the boards over to an unfinished side or sand the panels down to the bare unfinished wood before beginning your work.
Can you stain white paneling?
If the paneling is stained, but not sealed, then the stain may discolor your white paint and look terrible. If the paneling is sealed, then you will not be able to penetrate the grain; however, you can try a thinned coat of white paint and see if you like the effect.
How to whitewash a wood floor?
Begin inside a closet or in an inconspicuous corner of the room. Use a paintbrush or a painting sponge and apply a light coat of whitewash by following the grain of the wood. A dry cloth or sponge may be needed to wipe down streaks. It may take a few strokes to find the application method that works best for you.
What to use to brighten dark paneling?
A sealant is recommended for walls that will need frequent washing. A paint brush or sponge will help you brighten dark paneling. While once the height of interior design, today many people find that dark paneling gives a room a dated, dull and dark look.
How to remove sanding residue from walls?
Wipe down the walls with a tack cloth or lightly moistened cleaning cloth to remove the sanding residue. Tack cloths are treated to be slightly sticky and are available in the paint department of your local hardware or home center.
What is beaded paneling?
Beaded paneling, also known as beadboard, adds a touch of a cottage or rustic style to a room, depending on its color. If too dark, the paneling may overwhelm the space, making it feel dreary and dull rather than warm and inviting. Instead of tearing the paneling out and starting fresh, lighten it up with a homemade paint-based whitewash.
Can you whitewash paneling with lime?
Instead of tearing the paneling out and starting fresh, lighten it up with a homemade paint-based whitewash. While traditional whitewashing is done with lime, a paint-based whitewash will produce similar results. Mixing the whitewash yourself allows you to make it as bright and bold or thin as you'd like.
Can you seal paneling after whitewashing?
You may seal the paneling with a coat of polyurethane after the whitewash dries for at least several hours, but this is unnecessary and will make the whitewash look less realistic, because it adds shine. The same whitewash technique can be used with shades other than white, if desired, such as warm light gray.
