How to Make a White Kitchen Cabinet Look Washed

Kitchen cabinets are often repainted or refinished during a remodeling project. If you are redoing your cabinets, one option you have is to whitewash them. In this process, also called pickling or glazing, a thin coat of paint is applied that allows the wood's grain to show through. If the cabinets are already painted white, you'll need to remove the existing paint first.

Drop cloth
Screwdriver
Chemical paint stripper
Safety goggles
Gloves
Putty knife
Toothbrush
Fine-grit sandpaper or sanding block
Clean, dry rags
Flat, oil-based paint
Paintbrush

Instructions

- 1
  Place a drop cloth in your work area. Remove the doors and drawers from the cabinets as well as all hardware, such as hinges, knobs or handles.
- 2
  Don gloves and safety goggles. Apply a chemical paint stripper to the cabinets and allow it to interact with the paint for the time specified by the manufacturer on the packaging.
- 3
  Slide a putty knife along the surface of the cabinets to remove the paint and paint stripper. Use a toothbrush to remove the residue from crevices or trim. Add more paint stripper to any areas where paint remains and scrape or brush it away.
- 4
  Sand down rough spots on the wood with fine-grit sandpaper or a sanding block; work in the direction of the grain. Wipe the dust off with a dry rag.
- 5
  Paint the wood with a thin coat of flat, oil-based paint. Apply the paint using smooth strokes that cover about 3 to 4 inches at a time. Allow the paint to begin drying.
- 6
  Wipe the paint off the wood with a clean rag, going with the grain of the wood. Remove more or less of the paint according to the look you want to achieve. Allow the paint to dry.
- 7
  Apply a second coat of paint to the wood if you want a more contrasting effect, using the same technique. Allow to dry thoroughly.
- 8
  Reinstall the doors, drawers and all hardware.

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