DIY Network

Whitewashing and Pickling Techniques From "Ask DIY Home Improvement" episode DADH-106

Q: I have a picture frame that I would like to whitewash. Can you show me how?

A: (from DIY woodworking and refinishing expert Bruce Johnson) Regardless of what decorating experts have deemed as the "in color" for this year, a splash of white can help the look of most any room in the house. Here are two different techniques for adding some white without using paint -- whitewashing and pickling. A picture frame is a perfect example.

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	Applying a white stain allows you to brighten a wood surface without hiding the grain pattern. Bruce Johnson demonstrates application techniques for whitewashing and pickling wood.
	Figure A
	Figure B
	Figure C
	Figure D

Methods for staining woods white vary according to the type wood you're planning to finish. Whitewashing is the method that's best suited for pine. Pickling is a technique best used on oak.

Important: Stir stains well. Pigments tend to settle to the bottom of the can.

• Painting wood pieces white is one way to bring a splash of white into the room, but the disadvantage is that paint is opaque, so it covers and conceals the natural grain of the wood (figure A). Today, there are techniques for applying white stains that don't necessitate losing the grain of your wood. Until recently this technique involved taking ordinary paint and thinning it down to create a white stain. Today there are white stains that are commercially available that take the guesswork out of staining wood white. White stains are widely available in water-based or oil-based forms.

• Water-based stains dry quickly and produce less fumes or odors. Cleanup is also easier with water-based stains. Soap and water is all that's needed as long as the paint hasn't dried. Bruce prefers water-based white stains for the fast drying times.

• Oil-based stains offer longer working times since they dry more slowly but, since they do give off hazardous fumes, should only be used in well-ventilated areas.

• Safety Alert: Regardless of whether you're using oil- or water-based stains, it's always advisable to wear eye-protection and gloves when working with paint. Use oil-based stains only in well-ventilated areas.

• Whenever applying stains of any type, it's always best to test the stain on a sample of scrap wood of the same wood-type as the piece you'll be working on. We used scraps of pine and oak for this demonstration.

• Though stains can typically be applied using either a brush or rag, Bruce prefers applying white stains with a brush.

• Whitewash stain is ideally suited to pine. Apply the white stain with a brush. Once the stain has set up for 2 or 3 minutes, work the stain into the wood using a rag and wipe away the excess stain -- wiping gently with the grain (figure B). Make sure to work white stain into any knots that may be in the wood to accentuate the knot. Once it's applied, the white stain allows the grain to show through, but it tones down the yellow look of the pine.

• Pickling is the best choice for white-staining oak. When pickling oak wood, again apply the stain with a brush, but it's important to wipe the stain against the grain. Because of the large pores and the natural grain pattern of oak, this technique is essential for working the stain down into the pores of the wood (figure C). Once you've worked the white stain well into the pores of the wood, use a clean rag to wipe away any excess.

• Whether you choose pickling or whitewashing, both of these techniques simply serve to lighten the color of the wood. Neither offers protection. Once the whitewash has dried, use a clear water-based finish to protect the wood. Gently brush on the clear finish (figure D) to protect both the wood and the stain.

  Important: Avoid using oil-based protective finishes over whitewashing or pickling. Oil-based finishes have a yellowish look that will detract from the white coloring.

RESOURCES :

The Weekend Refinisher:
How to Make the Most of Your Furniture-A Step-by-Step Guide
Author: Bruce E. Johnson
Publisher: Ballantine Books
ISBN: 034535866X

The Wood Finisher: How to Finish Everything, From Decks to Floors to Doors
Author: Bruce Johnson
ISBN: 0345372972
Ballantine Books

Creative Pickling
Model: Barbara J. Celietti
Author: 1579901778
(December, 2000)

To order this title from Amazon.com, click here.