Whitewash is affordable and is also easy to do. You can whitewash furniture or walls even if you do not have much painting experience. On the other hand, while whitewash is a simple task, it is still inevitable to make mistakes. Mistakes done when whitewashing wood and other materials will affect its appearance and how long the whitewash can last. Read the rest of the article below to learn more about the common mistakes done when whitewashing and the necessary steps to fix them.<\/p>\n\n\n
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Common Mistakes When Whitewashing<\/h2>\n
Some of the common mistakes done when whitewashing includes not removing the existing finish on the material, whitewashing without cleaning the surface of the material, not sanding the wood, whitewash runs, and missed spots.<\/strong> These mistakes will affect how the whitewashed wood or walls appear. The good thing is that these mistakes can be easily fixed. Let us learn more about how to deal with these whitewash mistakes below.<\/p>\n One of the common mistakes done when whitewashing is leaving the existing finish on the surface of the material. Take note that any kind of finish should be removed. Otherwise, the whitewash will easily peel off from the material because it cannot adhere perfectly.<\/p>\n How to Fix It:<\/strong><\/p>\n Use a sandpaper to remove the finish from the surface of the material. Exposing the surface of the material will make the whitewash stick into it. See to it that the surface is smooth. Start by using the lowest grit of sandpaper and continue with the higher grit to thoroughly remove the existing finish.<\/p>\n Another common mistake done is whitewashing without cleaning the surface of the material first. Regardless of whether the furniture is new or not, it needs to be cleaned before you start applying the whitewash. Bear in mind that wood accumulates oil which can make the whitewash peel off. Aside from that, dust and debris on the surface can mix with the whitewash making the color appear dirty.<\/p>\n How to Fix It:<\/strong><\/p>\n Take some time to clean the surface of the material before you start whitewashing. Use water and soap solution. You can also use cleaning chemicals according to the surface that you will clean. However, be careful when using cleaning chemicals and make sure to follow the instructions on how to apply them. White vinegar and warm water solution can also be used to clean wood.<\/p>\n When whitewashing, it is unavoidable that you will miss some spots especially if you are painting a wide surface. This can also happen due to poor lighting and spreading the whitewash unevenly into the material. Fret not because this can be easily remedied.<\/p>\n How to Fix It:<\/strong><\/p>\n To fix this mistake, you first need to wait until the whitewash has dried so you can see the spots that you have missed. When painting a dark wood or surfaces like bricks, you can easily determine which areas you have missed. Simply apply whitewash into these areas.<\/p>\n Another common mistake done when whitewashing is not sanding the material. Sanding the material is very important especially if you are working with rough woods and walls with uneven surfaces. Unless you want to have a natural look and would like to paint the surface as it is, you first need to remove imperfections by sanding. Moreover, skipping the sanding process will have an impact on the surface of the wood and other materials as well.<\/p>\n How to Fix It:<\/strong><\/p>\n To fix this problem, use sandpaper and begin sanding the surface until you have made sure that it is smooth and even. Sanding also helps remove stains, dirt, and debris that got stuck on the surface of the material. Once you are done sanding, use a damp cloth to clean the material. For more information the importance of sanding before whitewashing, you can check out this article that we have written titled, do you need to sand before whitewashing<\/a>? <\/p>\n This can happen if you use a brush or roller that is larger than the surface of the material that you are painting. Another reason is that you are applying too much whitewash on the brush that it spills on the edges. Whitewash runs can be an issue if you are whitewashing inside a border and the whitewash spills on the edges.<\/p>\n How to Fix It:<\/strong><\/p>\n Wait for the whitewash to dry and use sandpaper to remove the run. If you are using a paint-based whitewash, you can bad thinner on a rag and use it to wipe off the runs<\/p>\n Using oil-based paint for whitewashing is not ideal because oil does not mix with water. Take note that whitewash can be achieved by diluting paint with water. When you use oil-based paint, the paint will separate and will create an unpleasant look into the material. It will also easily peel off and get flaky.<\/p>\n How to Fix It:<\/strong><\/p>\n When using paint for whitewashing, choose those that are water-based or latex. They will create the ideal stain effect to achieve a weathered and vintage look. You can choose any shade that you want as long as you choose water-based paint.<\/p>\n HomeMadeModern shared the video below on YouTube. It shows 5 DIY whitewash finishes for wood. In the video, the step by step process on how to whitewash wood is discussed. Watch the video for the visual demonstration.<\/p>\n\n\nWhitewashing without Removing the Existing Finish<\/h3>\n
Whitewashing on a Dirty Surface<\/h3>\n
Missed to Whitewash Some Spots<\/h3>\n
Not Sanding the Wood before Whitewashing<\/h3>\n
Whitewash Runs<\/h3>\n
Using Oil-Based Paint for Whitewashing<\/h3>\n
\u2705 Video – 5 DIY White Wash Finishes for Wood<\/h4>\n