How to Whitewash Wood: 3 Simple Techniques

Step 3

How to whitewash wood with the paint and drag method

This technique works best on surfaces with high texture, like rough or reclaimed wood. It creates a more rustic, barn wood look.

What you’ll need:

• Wood;
• White paint;
• Plastic scraper or wide putty knife.

Pour a bead of paint directly down the center of the board.

Use the scraper to drag the paint across the board and fill in the wood grain grooves.

Use a rag to clean up the paint scraped off the wood surface.

Repeat in needed areas and let it dry overnight.

Step 4

Seal the whitewashed wood

Now that you know how to whitewash wood, choose the technique that’s right for your project and desired look. For all techniques, consider finishing with a coat of polyurethane to seal in your hard work.

Frequently asked questions for whitewashing wood

Do you need to sand the wood before whitewashing it?

Maybe. We asked Andre Kazimierski, CEO of Impoovy Painters in Naperville, Illinois, about it. He says you don’t have to sand wood before applying a whitewash unless there’s an existing finish on the surface. If you’re whitewashing raw wood, you don’t need to sand it.

If you’re whitewashing IKEA furniture or any other kind of flat-pack furniture, you should definitely sand it beforehand.

How long does whitewash last on wood?

That depends on whether the whitewashed wood is indoors or outdoors. It may only last a few years outdoors because of weathering and sun exposure, according to Kazimierski. The whitewash coat, if done well, could last upwards of 20 years indoors.

Do you have to seal wood after whitewashing it?

Yes. After the whitewash dries, apply a clear, water-based polyurethane to protect it from damage. You may also want to sand it with a fine-grit sandpaper after sealing for a smooth surface.

What’s the difference between whitewash, limewash and milk paint?  

A whitewash is just paint and water. Limewash is made with crushed limestone (mostly calcium carbonate), water and pigments. It’s a process that’s been used for centuries.

“Limewash is used primarily for brick and stone features,” says Tom Nolan, founder of AllStar Home. It also takes longer to dry than whitewash

Milk paint uses milk protein as its base, mixed with lime and pigments. It comes in a powder, and you mix it with water prior to painting. It offers lots of richer color possibilities than a whitewash.

Where whitewash gives wood a faded, worn appearance, milk paint is perfect for a more ornamental finish with a pop of color. Milk paint is also used to create a chipped, antique look for wood.