Bleached walnut. Sometimes you want to make wood lighter than it is in its raw state. This is common when trying to match the wood to something that already exists. The way to do it is to first bleach out the color of the wood, then apply a stain, if necessary, to achieve the match.
Unlike cherry, maple, and oak (which all darken in color as they age), walnut wood will actually lighten slightly over time.
Over time, however, the natural dark color of walnut wood can lighten and fade due to exposure to sunlight and other environmental factors. This fading can result in the wood taking on a lighter, more yellowish-brown color.
Black walnut can be bleached with hydrogen peroxide or prepared bleaches. In another method, this wood is first coated with a solution of 6 ounces of sodium bisulfite in 1 gallon of water.
You can bleach the walnut and you will get walnut with light color. Just make sure you do the right procedure of bleaching. But the bleached result is never consistent if used to make color finish.
One of the most effective ways to lighten your furniture surfaces with a dark wood stain is by bleaching with a chemical stripper. Since chemicals will be used in this process, make sure to work in a well-ventilated area so you will not breathe in harmful fumes and prevent stains and accidents.
The easiest and least labour intensive method for lightening kitchen cupboards and cabinets is to apply a whitewash. This is a watered down paint mixture that is brushed over the surface of the wood and then wiped away while still wet until you are satisfied with the level of whiteness.
New walnut has a consistent dark-brown color but as it gets older, two changes occur. 1: Unlike maple and cherry, it gets lighter. 2: A rich honey color starts to come through the grain.
Walnut wood offers rich, brown colors that range from light to dark brown. The sapwood (outer part of the tree log) is pale yellow to white and the heartwood (center of the tree log) has brown shades that vary from light brown to dark chocolate brown with some dark brown streaks.
Direct exposure to sunlight over a long time will change the coloring chemicals of walnut and cause the reduction of their dark brown color. Also, the level of exposure will increase the speed of the color shift from dark to pale. However, walnut furniture fades like mad in sunlight.
Color choice is also important when staining walnut wood. Darker stain colors tend to bring out more contrast in the grain pattern, while lighter colors may produce a softer look. The natural color of walnut wood ranges from light brown to dark chocolate brown with tones of purple or gray sometimes present.
The best finish for walnut is a clear one. Several coats of Danish oil provide clarity. For protection, add a compatible clear topcoat.
White washing is simply mixing white paint and water to lighten wood. The more paint you add to your mixture, the less opaque the finished look will be. So, if you're looking to just lighten your wood without covering the wood grain, then use mostly water with a few drops of paint.
For a more traditional look, pair your walnut cabinets with white countertops and backsplashes. This classic combo is timeless and chic. If you want something a little more modern, try pairing walnut cabinets with black or grey countertops.
PolyShades stain and polyurethane also allows you to easily change the color of your currently stained or varnished wood without stripping. Over old varnish you can change the color without removing the old finish or hiding the grain.
Lighten Stained Wood : Household Bleach
You will not believe the impact a little bit of household bleach will have on wood. I've never tried this before (probably because I've not found a piece so stubborn) but I'm in awe. I was blown away at how effective this EASY technique was at getting a natural wood finish.
I've found a mixture of 50:50 vinegar to water does the job. When neutralizing oxalic acid, you can use household baking soda mixed with water. Lightly sand after bleaching and neutralizing the wood.
Dark wood can be lightened with stain for an interesting light-dark effect. Lightening is not recommended for fine woods because it covers the natural color and grain of the wood; as a last resort, though, it can be effective.
Smokey Hills is a rich, graphite gray cabinet stain on Walnut, with slightly warm undertones. Smokey Hills on Walnut is available on these door styles: Adagio. Aldon.
Walnut takes dyes and stains very nicely. The piece on the left is an example. Warm browns and orange-ish browns look good on the steam dried walnut. You can even add an overall burnt umber glaze after the first coat of finish for added effect and to enhance the grain.