This article discusses if you need to prime before whitewashing. Whitewashing is similar to painting in terms of application. However, it is easier and faster to do. While preparing your furniture for whitewashing, you might have wondered if you need to prime it. To help you get started with your whitewashing project, we will discuss this question below.

Do you prime before whitewashing? You do not need to prime before whitewashing. It is also recommended that you do not apply primer to the wood. Primer is made for painting and not whitewashing. If you prime a wood, it will obscure the grain. On the other hand, you can use an oil-based primer if you need to prime other surfaces like walls and bricks.

How do you prepare wood for whitewashing? Do you have to sand before whitewashing? How do you whitewash wood paneling? Can you whitewash with colored paint? These are some of the questions that we will discuss. Check out the rest of the article below for more tips and information.

What is Whitewashing?

Whitewashing furniture creates the appearance of weathered wood. The whitewash provides a vintage and rustic look into the wood which looks like the white wood stain is applied on the furniture. It is a good alternative to painting and is also easy to do.

How to Prepare Wood before Whitewashing

To prepare wood for whitewashing, you need to sand and clean it. This will remove stains, dust, dirt, paint, and varnish from the wood. By sanding the wood, the whitewash will easily adhere to it. Do not whitewash a wood without removing the varnish or paint first because it can prevent the whitewash from sticking into the wood. Below are the steps on how to prepare the wood before whitewashing.

Sand the Wood

Do this process like you would when painting. Use the 150 grit sandpaper to remove stains and to even out the texture of the wood. This type of grit is rough enough to scuff the surface without scratching it up. Make sure to work in the same direction as the grain and put even pressure to avoid wood depression in various areas.

Clean the Wood

Once you have sand the wood, the next step is to clean it. Wipe the wood with a wet sponge or rag to remove any residue. Make sure to thoroughly clean the surface of the wood.

How to Whitewash Wood Paneling

There are a few steps that you need to do when it comes to whitewashing wood paneling which includes sanding, cleaning, and applying the whitewash. Let us learn more about these steps below.

Step 1 – Preparing the Wood

Prepare the wood by sanding to remove any stain and existing paint on it. Take note that wood paneling tends to be smooth which means that you can easily create a rough surface to help the paint stick into it. Use 220-grit sandpaper for sanding.

Step 2 – Cleaning the Wood

The next step is cleaning the wood to remove any dust from sanding as well as the dirt that has accumulated over time. Create a cleaning solution by mixing a bucket of warm water and dish detergent. You can also use specialty products that are designed to clean wood paneling. Allow the wood to dry thoroughly.

Step 3 – Applying Whitewash

The last step is to apply whitewash into the wood. Make sure to cover the floor to prevent whitewash from spilling into it. Create the whitewash using the traditional method which includes lime and salt. You can also use diluted paint. Carefully apply the whitewash into the wood and allow it to dry. You can add another layer if you want to make the whitewash thicker.

How to Whitewash Furniture

To whitewash furniture, you can water-based paint or masonry lime. Use a half and half mixture of lime and water or paint and water. You can add more water if you want a thin consistency of whitewash. To have a unique look into your furniture, you can apply a layer of colored paint into it before you apply the whitewash. This way, the colored paint will show through the whitewash and adds a whimsical look to it.

Make sure to clean the furniture before and allow it to thoroughly dry before whitewashing. Use paint to apply the whitewash on the furniture and dab it with rags. Allow it to dry so you can determine if you need to add another layer or not.

✅ Video – How to Whitewash & Distress Furniture: DIY Farmhouse Coffee Table (Easy & Budget-Friendly)

Taralynn McNitt shared the video below on how to whitewash and distress furniture. The video shows how to whitewash a farmhouse coffee table. It is an easy and affordable method that you can do for your furniture. Check out the video for more tips and ideas.

How to Whitewash Brick

To whitewash bricks, you can use latex-based paint because it adheres better on the bricks as compared to water-based paint. You can also use the lime and water method. You can whitewash both the interior and exterior bricks in your home.

Wash the Bricks

Start with washing the bricks and all grout or mortar with the use of a scrub brush and cleaning solution. You can make your cleaning solution or you can purchase one that is specifically made for bricks. After cleaning, rinse the bricks and allow them to dry. If the brick has been painted, you need to repair any chips and re-prime before whitewashing.

Applying Whitewash into the Bricks

Create your whitewash mixture in a container making sure that it has an even consistency. You can use a spray bottle to apply the whitewash to the bricks. Then, moist a cloth with the whitewash and use it to spread the whitewash into the bricks. Use a brush for hard-to-reach places. Let it dry before applying another layer.

Do You Have to Sand Before Whitewashing?

You need to sand the wood before whitewashing. Sanding will remove paint, stain, or varnish from the wood. Thoroughly sand the surface that you would like to whitewash. For more information about this topic, you can check out this article that we have written titled, do you need to sand before whitewashing? We have shared an in-depth discussion about the topic.

What Do You Use to Whitewash?

You can use water-based or latex paint, chalk, and masonry lime to create a whitewash. The ingredient that you will use will have to depend on the appearance that you would like the furniture to have. Moreover, each ingredient has its pros and cons. Whitewash that is made from chalk can easily flake and wash off. On the other hand, whitewash that is made from masonry comes with antibacterial benefits and is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. You can also check out this article titled, why do you whitewash trees? We have shared tips and information about the importance of whitewashing trees.

Do You Need to Seal Whitewash?

Sealing the whitewash is important to maintain, protect, and prolong the appearance of the whitewashed furniture. Allow the whitewash to dry completely and apply a clear water-based sealant on the surface. You can choose from a wide array of sealants available on the market. Most sealants can be applied with the use of a brush or a sponge. We have also written this article that discusses if you need to seal whitewash. Check out the article for more tips and information about the topic.

Can You Whitewash Over Varnished Wood?

You cannot whitewash over varnished wood. You need to remove the varnish because it prevents the whitewash from soaking into the wood. On the other hand, you can use chalk paint if you do not want to remove the varnish. The chalk paint will easily cover the varnish. Depending on how dark the wood is or how you want the furniture to look, you may need to add more layers of whitewash.

Can You Whitewash with Color Paint?

You can whitewash with color paint. The traditional color of whitewash is white but you can use any color that you want. When using masonry lime and water, you can add powdered color pigments of your choice. You can choose any color of the paint as long as it is water-based or latex. Adjust the amount of water to create the look that you want. Using bright colors to whitewash will provide the furniture with a more sheer effect and make it more noticeable. We have also written this article that discusses if you can whitewash with any color. Check out the article to learn more about colored whitewash.

Does Whitewash have to be White?

Whitewash does not have to be white. The traditional color of whitewash is white but you can create whitewash in different colors. You can use water-based or latex paint or add powdered color into the traditional whitewash solution. Choose a color that you want to make your furniture stand out while keeping that weathered and vintage look. We have also shared this article that discusses if you need to whitewash walls before painting. Check out the article for more tips and ideas about the topic.

Conclusion

In this article, we have discusses if you need to prime before whitewashing. We have found out that there is no need to prime wood before whitewashing. Priming wood will do more bad than good because it will obscure the grain. However, you can prime walls and bricks before whitewashing using oil-based primers. We hope that this article has helped you learn more about preparing and whitewashing different surfaces. Thank you for reading!