How to Bleach Pine

Remove any existing varnish or finish from the pine. Put on eye protection and chemical-resistant gloves. Dollop paint stripper thickly onto the pine with a disposable brush. Scrape off all softened varnish with a scraper, once the paint stripper’s dwell time is complete. Scrub off lacquer and shellac finishes with steel wool drenched in denatured alcohol.

Saturate a cloth with water. Rinse the pine to clean off the paint stripper or denatured alcohol. Let the wood air-dry.

Mix equal portions of hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide from a two-part wood bleaching system. Mix the chemicals in a plastic bucket, and use only the amount you can apply immediately to the pine. Follow the bleaching system’s directions.

Spread the bleaching mixture onto the pine with a sponge. Apply the mixture smoothly and evenly, thoroughly coating the pine. Let the mixture sit on the pine for the amount of time advised by the bleach system manufacturer.

Saturate a cloth with warm water. Use it to thoroughly rinse the hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide mixture from the pine.

Neutralize any remaining hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide with a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water. Evenly wipe the vinegar solution onto the pine with a fresh cloth.

Drench another cloth with warm water. Wipe the vinegar off the pine, thoroughly rinsing the wood.

Let the pine air-dry for 24 hours. Once the pine is dry, inspect its color. If the hue is not light enough, repeat the entire procedure.

Sand the pine lightly when it is the hue you desire. Rub 400-grit sandpaper over the pine to smooth the surface and remove any fuzzy wood grain.