How To: Weather Furniture
Weathered finishes have a way of making a space feel welcoming and lived-in. Furniture and decor with a worn-in look brings rustic charm to a room, whether you opt for small doses or larger furniture.
Washing furniture is a great way to revive an old piece of wooden furniture while keeping the wood grain visible.
Here's an example of a weathered chair I updated using Superior Paint Co. Barn Wood
Here's my project for this tutorial...
For this project I choose Superior Paint Co. Little White 8oz and mixed with 16oz of distilled water.
- Mixing your own wash. a 2:1 ratio of Superior chalk paint and water will create a very thick layer of wash, while a 1:1 and 1:2 ratio result in successively thinner mixes.
- Apply the wash to the furniture. Use a paint brush to apply long strokes to the surface of the furniture. As the mixture will dry quickly, apply the wash in relatively small sections rather than attempting to coat the entire piece.
- Work the whitewash into the wood (optional). Before the whitewash dries, use a clean rag or staining pad to rub the whitewash into the grain and knots of the wood and even the brush strokes into one level coating.
Once my Little White wash is dry I took a dry brillo pad and lightly buffed the high points to highlight the detail and expose the stained wood underneath.
- Add additional colours if you desire. Applying additional layers (and again wiping off the excess) will create depth and richness to a piece that obscures more of the wood grain.
- Seal the washed furniture. After the washing is completely dried, apply a Top Coat Sealer over the surface. This will protect the job and allow it to look fresh and new for a long time. Top Coat Sealer can be applied using a brush, sprayed or with the Top Coat Applicator Kit.
Tips
- Although this technique is known as whitewashing, it is possible to use any Superior chalk paint colours.
- Applying two layers of wash in different colors can create the effect of one color "peeking through" under the thin overcoat.
- You may want to test the wash first on a piece of scrap wood of the same type, or on an unobtrusive corner of the furniture.
- Always make sure to properly prep your furniture ie. Repair, Clean, Strip or Sand if needed.
- If you have poor water quality make sure to use distilled water.
Things You'll Need
- Furniture
- Cleaner (we recommend using TSP ECO mixed with warm water)
- Drop Cloth
- Superior Chalk Paint
- Brushes
- Top Coat Sealer
- Staining Pad
- Clean Rag
- Brillo Pad
For inspiration check out our Pinterest Board of weathered furniture and home decor: https://www.pinterest.com/superior_paint/glazing-and-washing-with-superior-paint-co-paints/