How to Create a Wash on Painted Furniture

Sand the furniture to remove as much of the old paint finish as possible. The old paint needs to be removed so that it does not show through the wash. Sanding also removes surface marks, such as scratches and scuff marks. Wipe away any sanding dust with a damp cloth and wait for the furniture to dry before continuing.

Prime the furniture piece to seal it from moisture and to give it an even surface. Primer also covers any old paint you could not remove. Let the primer dry before continuing. Refer to the manufacturer’s directions for recommended drying times.

Paint your base color on the furniture using a high quality brush. Avoid low quality brushes because they tend to fall apart easily and not spread paint well. Check to make sure you have not left any bare spots. If you have, paint over them. Wait for the paint to dry before continuing.

Dilute the second color with a 1-part water, 1-part paint mixture. Diluting the paint helps it spread more easily across the surface and makes the paint look worn because of its transparent appearance. There are glazes available to create a color wash but using water is less expensive and saves you time in painting.

Dip the paint brush into the second color and apply it to the furniture. Work the brush in an up-and-down and left-to-right motion throughout every section you want to paint. Your result should look like brush marks of transparent color over your base color. If the paint is too transparent, wait for the first coat to dry then add an additional coat of your second color.