Pickling an Oak Armoire

Cover your work area with drop cloths to protect the floor and any nearby furniture.

Remove the handles or drawer pulls from the armoire, or protect them with a light coat of petroleum jelly applied with your finger or a cotton swab. Be careful not to get any petroleum jelly on the wood.

Clean your armoire with 1 tablespoon or so of mild dishwashing liquid stirred into 1 quart of warm water. Wring your sponge out thoroughly after wetting it in the soapy water so that you don’t soak the wood. Let the armoire dry completely before continuing.

Sand your armoire with 120-grit sandpaper. Wipe the sanding dust away with a tack cloth.

Mix 1 quart of oil-based white paint with 1 cup of mineral spirits. Stir them well to thoroughly blend them.

Brush the diluted paint generously onto the armoire. Let it sit for a second or two and then wipe off the excess with a clean shop cloth, just as you would if you were applying stain. Continue until the armoire is completely pickled.

Let your first coat of pickling dry overnight before deciding whether or not to apply a second coat.

Seal the pickling with two coats of water-based clear sealer to protect it, if you like. Let the first coat dry completely before adding the second. Use a sealer with flat or satin finish, because a top coat that is too shiny obscures the beauty of the pickled grain.