How to Make Faux Weathered White Wood

As wood ages, it fades to a pale gray and eventually turns white due to exposure and oxidation. You don't have to wait for wood to age naturally, if you like the look and want it fast. Fade any piece of furniture, craft project, deck or building to a weathered, sun-bleached white color using household ingredients. The technique works best on wood that is naturally light in color such as pine and maple.

2 glass jars
Steel wool
White vinegar
Black teabag
1 cup boiling water
Paintbrush
Wood
Sand paper
Belt sander (optional)

Instructions

- 1
  Rip the steel wool into smaller pieces and put it into the jar.
- 2
  Cover the steel wool with vinegar and fill the jar to the top. Close the jar tightly and set it aside for at least one day. The vinegar will dissolve the steel wool, creating an iron solution.
- 3
  Place the teabag into the other glass jar and fill it with boiling water. Allow the tea to steep for several minutes until the it is strong and dark.
- 4
  Dip the paintbrush into the tea and paint the wood. Coat all surfaces evenly, then allow the tea to dry completely.
- 5
  Dip the paintbrush into the iron solution. Paint the wood thoroughly. The iron solution reacts with the tannins in the tea to create a gray color.
- 6
  Allow the wood to dry completely. It will be a medium to dark gray color when set.
- 7
  Sand the wood. Us a belt sander if the project is large. As you sand, the gray color will fade from soft gray to white. Continue sanding until you have achieved the white shade you want.

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Woodworking