Can I Whitewash My Stained Furniture?

Preparations

• If your furniture has any hardware, such as handles or hinges on cabinets and desks, you must remove it and set it aside. All drawers and doors should also be removed, as these need to be stripped and painted separately. Drawers and doors should be placed on clean work surfaces, and the furniture should be placed on top of plastic sheeting or a drop cloth to protect the floor.

Stripping

• If your furniture was previously stained, it most likely has a protective topcoat that needs to be stripped. The topcoat can be removed using solvents, such as varnish stripper or mineral spirits. If there are a lot of vertical surfaces on the furniture, use a gel-based varnish stripper to remove the protective topcoat. Spread the solvent over the entire surface of the piece of furniture and allow it to soak for 10 minutes. Scrape off the topcoat with a putty knife or paint scraper.

Sanding

• This is another option for removing the protective topcoat. Sanding is also necessary to remove the stain from the wood. Start with a medium-grade sandpaper to remove the stain, then move up to a fine-grade sandpaper to smooth the surface of the wood. If there are a lot of flat surfaces on the furniture, you can use a hand-held belt sander for this job. Sanding blocks and sanding sponges are good tools for getting into small and oddly shaped areas. When you are finished sanding, wipe the entire surface with a tack cloth to remove any dust before whitewashing.

Whitewashing

• Typically, whitewash is applied using a rag or a paintbrush. However, if you are whitewashing a particularly large, flat surface, a roller will work very well. Once the whitewash is applied, you can decide whether you want to leave the brushstrokes or texture from the roller. If you prefer a smooth surface, wipe down the furniture with a soft, clean cloth — always wipe with the grain. Apply additional coats as desired. Once the whitewash is dry, apply a clear wood sealer. See the manufacturer's instructions, as these vary from product to product.