Transcript

Using Minwax Whitewash Pickling Stain

In this project, Ron is finishing a brand new pine cabinet with a Minwax product called a pickling stain. The final product is a flash back to the styles of the Mark Twain era, and creates a clean, country look that fits will in the decor of many homes.

Read More
Advertisement
Sanding with the direction of the wood grain
Step 1

Prepare the Cabinet

Begin by removing the doors of the cabinet. Sand all of the surfaces using a quarter of a sheet of 120 grit sandpaper that has been folded into thirds. The result is a sanding pad that is the perfect size to fit in the palm of your hand. Make sure that you always move in the direction of the wood grain. You may also find it helpful to wrap the sandpaper around a block of wood. This will give you a sharper edge to work into bevels and corners that may be harder to reach with your hand. For large flat surfaces, an orbital or palm sander can also be a big time saver.

Applying wood conditioning pre-stain
Step 2

Condition the Wood

Soft woods, such as the pine in this cabinet, can sometimes appear blotchy when stained. To prevent this, the wood needs to be conditioned. Ron is using a pre-stain conditioner from Minwax on this cabinet. Apply the conditioner with a clean brush designed for latex paints and then let it sit for 30 minutes. Follow up with a light sanding pass using the 120 grit paper again. The conditioner will raise the grain of the wood, and the sand paper will ensure that you have a smooth surface to apply the stain to.

Wiping away excess stain
Step 3

Apply the Whitewash Pickling Stain

Apply the stain with the same clean brush designed for latex products that you used to apply the conditioner, making sure that it is well cleaned before you begin. The stain should be applied with long, smooth strokes in the same direction. Once the stain is applied, wipe it away with a soft cotton cloth that you've folded into a pad. Always move with the wood grain. The more pressure you apply to the pad, the more the wood grain will show through the stain on the final product.

Demonstrating the qualities of a Purdy paint brush
Step 4

Choose the Right Products for the Top Coat

Use a clear, water based polycrylic top coat. Ron is using Minwax for this project. Make sure you use a high quality brush, such as a Purdy, that is designed for latex or water based products, so that stray bristles don't get left behind in your top coat.

Advertisement
Using long strokes to apply the top coat
Step 5

Apply the Top Coat

In the same way that you applied the stain and the conditioner, apply the water based top coat using long smooth strokes. Finish each surface with overlapping continuous strokes in a process called "striking off." When finishing around the bottom of the cabinet, put it up on small block or shims so that the polycrylic doesn't stick the furniture to the surface of the bench or floor where you are working.

Using tack cloth to wipe away dust
Step 6

Final Top Coat

After allowing the first coat to dry for about 4 hours, lightly sand the cabinet one last time with 220 grit sand paper. Use a tack cloth to wipe away any excess reside left behind by the sand paper, and then apply the second and final coat to the cabinet.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Related Tips

Blog Articles

May 29, 2024

Expert Tips: How to Mount a TV on the Wall

Get step-by-step instructions on how to mount a TV on the wall, especially for big screen TVs. Master the art of wall mounting with our tips.

May 22, 2024

Frustrated by Stripped Screws? Here’s How to Get Them Out Fast

We've all been there. You're in the middle of a project, and suddenly your screwdriver spins uselessly in the screw head. The screw is stripped, and frustration sets in. With a little know-how and this simple trick, you can tackle a stripped screw and get your project back on track.

May 15, 2024

The Secret to Finishing Plywood Edges

Plywood projects are fantastic, but exposed edges can be an eyesore. This blog post unveils the magic of edge banding - a simple technique to create flawless, finished edges on your plywood projects, making them look professional and ready for paint or stain. Watch the video to learn how to apply edge banding like a pro!

Advertisement
Recent Articles
Advertisement
Advertisement