Skip to Content

How to Whitewash Bare Wood with a Latex Paint and Water Mixture

Learn how to whitewash a bare wood crate with a simple water and latex paint mixture.

I’ve been whitewashing furniture before I even knew what whitewashing was. It can also be called “pickling wood,” although some people would say they are two totally different techniques. Let me show you how to whitewash bare wood with a latex paint and water mixture.

Disclosure; this post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This does not affect the price you pay. This disclosure statement refers to the rest of the Amazon links in this post. See more on my disclosure page.

There are loads of paint products on the market that are made specifically for whitewashing. Some of these products are white gel stains and pickling stains and a white wax called liming wax that will give any piece a white washed look.

While these products work well, I’m sharing the old way to whitewash or pickle wood; with regular old white paint and water.

I just learned the other day that generally whitewashing is referring to a pine wood surface while pickling is referring to an oak wood surface. Did you know that?

A friend gave this crate to me because she was about to throw it away. I kept it a while and almost gave it away myself. I’m so glad I didn’t.

the wood before white wash

It’s a simple wooden crate. You can see where the two top slats have come off.

the wood before white wash

There are so many uses for wooden crates. Not too long ago I rounded up ways to repurpose them. Why did I ever think of getting rid of this?

Supplies to whitewash wood

whitewash wood materials

How to whitewash bare wood

  1. Mix white paint with water; 1 part white paint to 1 part water.
  2. Apply the paint solution in the direction of the grain with a paintbrush or lint free cloth.
  3. Use the lint free cloth to wipe the excess paint away.
  4. Continue this process until you are pleased with the finish.
  5. Apply a sealer after the whitewash is dry.

Note; if you are looking for a more opaque finish, try using more paint and less water. If you are looking for a more translucent finish, use less paint and more water.

Always test a small area before completing the entire project. Don’t forget to wait until it fully dries before deciding if you need another coat because it will look completely different once the paint dries.

Easy right? Like I said earlier, there are a ton of products on the market that will “whitewash” a surface without having to mix your own paint. When it’s this easy, why not whitewash it yourself?

This white wash technique will also work on any painted or stained surface too. Always test a small area first before completing the entire project to make sure the end result is what you want.

Side note; most “pickling” techniques (when working with stain) call for wiping against the direction of the grain when working with oak wood. This ensures that the paint or stain seeps way down into the pores of the wood. This doesn’t apply to this project because it’s not oak wood and we aren’t using a stain.

If you are looking for a weathered white wash look, I’ve shared a few different techniques for that. I’ve created a post for a DIY weathered wood look on a smooth surface (like laminate) and also how to create a weathered wood look on new wood. The last post about DIY weathered wood techniques uses a product you never would think to use! I of course have video tutorials on both.

Related Whitewash furniture posts

How to use Lime wax with a Lime Washed Coffee Table Makeover

Lime Washed Coffee Table Makeover with Liming Wax

How to Create an Antique Fireplace Mantel with a Whitewash Technique

antique fireplace mantel with white wash

How to Create the Weathered Barn Wood look with New Wood

DIY Weathered Barn Wood look

White washed furniture makeovers that will wow you!

white washed furniture makeovers

Best White Wash Wood Stains with Products

white washing the kitchen cabinet

Do You Need to Seal Whitewash Furniture and Wood?

sealing whitewash furniture and wood

Paint Wash for Furniture; Easiest Way to Mute Outdated Furniture Tones

applying tan wash or paint wash to pine wood

How to whitewash wood with step by step pictures

  • Mix the paint solution 1 part water to 1 part white paint.
stirring the diluted paint mixture for whitewashing bare wood
  • Apply paint to surface in direction of grain with a paintbrush.
applying the first coat of whitewash
applying second coat of whitewash
applying paint mixture to whitewash the wood
whitewashing bare wood
  • Make sure to wipe excessive paint with lint free cloth in the direction of the grain. Also watch out for drip marks.
drips on the wood from the whitewash
wiping away the whitewash paint mixture
whitewash wood

I’m loving the way the old crate is looking now. It’s brighter and looks more finished.

whitewashed wood

I love how the whitewash finish highlights the wood grain.

One of the benefits of whitewashing any wood surface is that it highlight the wood without hiding the wood grain.

whitewashed wood crate

Almost done! Funny how a little paint can transform a simple wooden crate.

After the paint was dry, I used a Polycrylic spray sealer.

sealing the whitewashed wood with polycrylic

The last thing I did was add a few cabinet pulls to really “jazz” it up.

I used gorilla glue to attach the pulls to the wood.

gorilla glue

Video tutorial for how to white wash.

My intentions were to use this as shoe storage. I quickly changed my mind when I realized how well it could work as blanket storage in our living room!

whitewashed wood crate
how to whitewash wood

Maybe I should have used a little wood filler or putty to cover up the holes, but it adds to the rustic vibe right?

how to whitewash wood
whitewash wood

If you are curious about my chippy blue antique barn door, it’s a staple in this room and I love it!

how to whitewash wood with white paint and water

How to Whitewash Bare wood

how to whitewash wood

Learn how to whitewash bare wood or how to pickle bare wood with this simple white paint and water mixture. This is so easy it doesn't require an expensive paint or stain. 

Prep Time 5 minutes
Active Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Difficulty Easy
Estimated Cost 30 dollars

Materials

  • White paint (any type paint will do)
  • Water
  • Paintbrush
  • Lint free rags

Instructions

  1. Mix white paint with water; 1 part white paint to 1 part water.
  2. Apply the paint solution in the direction of the grain with a paintbrush or lint free cloth.
  3. Use the lint free cloth to wipe the excess paint away.
  4. Continue this process until you are pleased with the finish.
  5. Apply a sealer after the whitewash is dry.

Notes

If you are looking for a more opaque finish, try using more paint and less water. If you are looking for a more translucent finish, use less paint and more water.

I hope this looks as easy as it was to complete. Make sure to check out all my painting and refinishing furniture posts here! Thanks for following along friends.

Lindsey**

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


  1. Kelly says:

    Hi,

    I want to try your technique for creating the weathered barn wood look combined with this white washing technique. My question is, which would you do first?
    Thanks!

  2. Carrie says:

    It looks so much better now! So glad you didn’t toss it!

  3. Debbi Lewis says:

    I love it! As an owner of 2 furbabies, I immediately thought you had made a bed for a small dog. Appreciate you sharing the technique!

  4. carrie says:

    It is pretty amazing how white washing CAN take the orange and yellow colors out of the wood! Thank you for your tutorial- and adding those handles was a great idea!

Skip to Instructions