How to Whitewash Oak Furniture | ehow.com. You can whitewash furniture with or without stripping it first. Stripping is optional, but means the wood's natural grain will be more visible through the finish.
Things You'll Need
The result looks especially good on oak, which has dark enough grain markings to show through even a heavy coat of whitewash. One of the advantages of this technique is that stripping and sanding are optional -- you can whitewash oak over an existing finish, and it will still look good.
These days, we don't have to be that harsh to create whitewash finishes. You can even whitewash faux wood, if you do the proper amount of preparation.
Dust regularly with a slightly damp, soft, lint-free cloth. Wipe dry with a dry, soft cloth in the direction of the wood grain. Spills should be immediately wiped up with a damp cloth. Clean the surface with a soft cloth dampened with a quality cleaner formulated for wood furniture.
Disadvantages: Wood veneers are attached to fiberboard, which are not as heavy as natural wood boards; if wood veneers are not coated with a surface polish, this makes it easy for liquids to be absorbed through the wood. And unlike solid wood, once damaged, wood veneers can be difficult or costly to repair.
The veneer can not be bleached. If you discover a veneer top, you will need to remove the veneer.
If your goal is a very rustic look (like you would see on old barns), I think you could definitely get away without sanding first. It is still important to clean and dry the surface well prior to whitewashing.
Additionally, moisture can seep into the wood causing it to swell or warp. Sealing your whitewashed furniture with a clear sealant will protect it from these elements and help keep its original look.
The whitewashing technique can be applied to stained or natural wood. Whether it's oak, pine or another variety doesn't matter. The end result may look slightly different due to the differences in the wood species but you'll achieve a similar effect.
If the veneer is in good condition and isn't chipping… you can sand, prime, and paint like you would any piece of furniture.
You can apply a stain to your wood veneer if you want to, but you don't have to. If you want to change the color or hue of the wood, staining will be necessary. Some stains are available as a finish and a stain all in one.
You stain and finish wood veneers exactly the same way that you stain and finish real wood. You will usually stain or finish your wood veneer after it is glued down, but you can apply your stain or finish before gluing if you choose.
Veneer is primarily, designed to give the illusion of solid oak but is manufactured with a layer usually thinner than 1/8 of an inch of hardwood and bonded to a manufactured surface such as High Density Fibreboard that is hidden below.
No, whitewash is not watered down paint. Whitewash is a mixture of lime, water, and other ingredients such as salt or chalk that creates a milky white coating when applied to walls or furniture. It can be used to create an aged look on wood surfaces and also provides protection from the elements.
A simple white glaze or whitewash will lighten up the wood to imitate the freshly sanded raw wood coastal look you just had to cover up. It's not going to be the exact same, but it definitely helps! Just make sure to properly seal before whitewashing the wood.
Similarly to laminate furniture, older pieces of furniture often have a delicate top wood veneer. You can paint veneer furniture without sanding with the same steps as solid wood furniture. However, if you have to do any touch up sanding, make sure to use a very fine grit sandpaper so you don't damage the veneer.
Wipe up the dust with a damp cloth then apply a thin, even coat of primer. Apply a thin, even coat of paint once the primer is dry. Wait for the paint to dry then seal it with a thin layer of clear varnish.
Make sure the veneer doesn't have cracks. If needed, remove any sections of peeling veneer. Clean the piece well, prime, and then apply a few coats of chalk paint to the veneer furniture. It'll look brand new!
Clean veneer and solid wood furniture 6-12 times a year with a mix of water and mild soaps such as Murphy Oil Soap. Dust your furniture regularly between cleanings (about once a week) with a dry dust cloth or a furniture polish that does not contain wax or silicone, such as Endust.
Use Vinegar
In cleaning your veneer wood floor, you can also use it by pouring it into a spray bottle, mixing it with water, and shaking the bottle vigorously for a proper mix. Since it's abrasive on its own, you have to mix it with water before using it to clean the veneer.
Since veneer is thin, it is possible to sand through it so I start with 120 grit. For larger pieces I use a pad sander but smaller pieces I use a sanding block.
As you might expect, veneered pieces are very delicate and require careful sanding to avoid irreversible damage. If you sand veneer too much, you may render it unusable.