For whitewashing projects, choose a latex (or water-based) paint. Creating the whitewashing mixture takes combining equal parts of paint and water. Bricks absorb moisture, so this helps them hold the color for longer.
Mix the Whitewash
Mix a 50/50 solution of water and white latex paint. Stir until the mix is even. Avoid using oil-based paint. It does not mix as well with water.
What kind of paint do I use for whitewashing? Any water-based paint will work for whitewashing, but when it comes to furniture, I like to use latex paint with a satin finish. This is the same kind of paint you would use to paint the walls inside your house, and it comes in a rainbow of colors.
Whitewash, or calcimine, kalsomine, calsomine, or lime paint is a type of paint made from slaked lime (calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2) or chalk calcium carbonate, (CaCO3), sometimes known as "whiting". Various other additives are sometimes used.
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.
We recommend a water and paint mixture. It's super easy to mix and apply, and it's budget-friendly. Mix white, latex paint with water in a 1:1 ratio, which will give you a nice, transparent look. Test on a scrap piece of wood or an inconspicuous area, then adjust the ratio to your liking.
Traditional whitewash is made by mixing powdered lime with water and provides a paint or sealant that is non-toxic and safe for animals. Many people like the look of whitewash because it's a thinner paint that allows the natural wood grain to show.
Water was added until it achieved the consistency of pancake batter. Whitewash can be applied with a roller, but brushes seem to work best. If you vary the thickness of whitewash, you can make your home look like a gracious English cottage.
First make sure you protect anything that you don't want to get painted with sheets first. Using either the roller or the paintbrush, spread an even layer of whitewash over the freshly sanded wood. Don't worry about getting too much.
That means that Satin, semi-gloss, and High Gloss will be the easiest to wipe away blemishes without harming the surfaces. That being said, not many homeowners want their interior walls to shine at that level. Usually, Satin, Semi-Gloss, and High Gloss are left to cabinets, trim, and doors.
Because latex paint whitewash does not produce that classic salty look, realism comes by way of creative application. Using cheaper, rougher brushes like horsehair chip brushes is a good way to replicate the streaky effect of traditional whitewash.
The substance which is used for white washing is Calcium oxide . Calcium oxide when reacted with water produces Calcium hydroxide(Lime water).
The easiest way to make whitewash paint is to simply dilute regular latex paint with some water. I like to keep the ratio at 1 part water to 2 parts flat white paint, but I've used eggshell and satin paint sheens with good success, too.
Salt was often added to exterior limewash to make it more durable and dry slower, producing a better finish. Salt probably came from local salt works. Limewash could also be colored if the opaque white lime color was not desirable.
The ratio of water to paint that I prefer is four parts water to one part latex paint. This whitewash can be used over any paint color and I made a short video showing you how I do the whitewash process. The piece for this project is the pedestal cedar chest I bought at auction a couple of weeks ago.
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.
You can certainly whitewash without sanding, but you take more of a risk of splotchy results. 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.
If you're applying whitewash stain to the ceiling, you may wish to use a roller and extension handle for best and quickest coverage, and then follow with a wide brush to ensure that the stain gets into all the nooks and crannies, and the roller marks get smoothed out.
Let dry in between coats and re-apply as often as you feel necessary to achieve the effect you want, somewhere between 2-3 coats. I applied 2 coats on my table. After the paint has fully dried, you can distress your piece of furniture as much or as little as you want.
Ideal for applications on raw, unfinished wood, so you will need to sand away any existing finish before applying. Add a satin polyurethane or water-based matte sealant to extend the life of the whitewash. If applied correctly, whitewashing can last up to 20 to 30 years, with little need for maintenance.
Whitewash preserves the natural texture of the brick while bonding tenaciously to any masonry or coarse wood surface. Some people use paint that they thin out with water to create a similar look but it does not give quite the same result.
Smoother Finish: Unlike Limewash, the whitewash formula provides a smoother surface finish. Long-Lasting: Unlike paint, which requires frequent maintenance, Whitewash is low maintenance and lasts for years. Applicable for Painted Bricks: Unlike Limewash, the Whitewash formula can easily be applied on painted bricks.