White wash for non-permanent color on cabinets?
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I want to update our honey oak kitchen cabinets to white but my husband is against permanently changing the color. Has anyone tried anything like white washing for a non permanent color? Will it damage the cabinets?
5 answers
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Oak soaks in a lot of pigment.That being said,I have a solid oak kitchen that is also driving me crazy.too too much.i think a white washed kitchen would look beautiful.It really depends on how much ratio of paint /water you want to use.Do not think you will be able to reverse it once you apply a pigment to the oak.Can you replace any of the center panels? if no,then then speak to him about trying whitewashing one set of cabinets to see how it looks before committing to the entire kitchen.Men tend to be committed to oak cabinets, they are beautiful,but,have become dated especially when the entire room is OAK!Find some pictures on Pinterest of white washed cabinets and kitchens to see if you can sway him?The newest trend is having several types of finishes and colored cabinets especially in kitchens.Good luck!!!
Funnygirl
on Mar 19, 2015
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Thanks for the advice Funnygirl. We did remove the cabinets and under cabinet range hood above the stove. We replaced it with an attractive stainless steel & glass island range hood. I had forgotten about those cabinets so I could whitewash those and could see how they would look to show him. I saw a picture where they replaced cabinet soffits with white lighted glass cabinets but he nixed that idea. I think it would have been pretty and would have complimented the oak and would have helped replace the cabinet space we lost.
Margaret Pizzi
on Mar 19, 2015
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You might try white wax - there are various "white", "liming" or "pickling" waxes on the market, or you can try making your own with pigment+clear wax.Experiment also with removing it with solvents, clear wax or heat... however I doubt your husband will remember it's there, as a white wash effect will raise your cabinets from basic to custom. Let wax dry thoroughly for best protection.
Duv310660
on Mar 20, 2015
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if you clean them well and apply a new coat of poly on them the white is less likely to soak into the wood and be permanent, I white washed over some of my ponderosa pine and it came right off after I chickened out
Shirley Searcy
on Mar 21, 2015
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Well, you are in the US, so you will have the most options. Just Google 'white wax', 'liming wax' or 'pickling wax' and see what you come up with. Making your own white wax just involves adding an amount of white/light coloured pigment - either acrylic paint in a tube, craft paint or chalk paint - too clear wax and mixing it up. The more pigment, the more opaque it will be, making everything under appear more pastel in colour. 2 things: 1. often this is done to leave the most wax in the crevices of details, etc. (so it looks opposite of a darker 'antiqued' accumulation of wax), and 2. prepared waxes with pigment will be more expensive, but possibly easier/creamier to apply. Just experiment a bit with putting it on, and if you are concerned, removing it. It's just basic waxing. A first coat of plain clear wax may help a thorough removal (I am guessing here; I've never removed it myself & likely will depend on brand, etc.). Use thin application as directed and build up a couple of layers as you like. May be worth getting a pad for your sander or drill for buffing to save your arm. I recently tried Miss Mustard Seed's white wax; it was very creamy but possibly more expensive than you really need to go for your purposes. Hope this helps.
Duv310660
on Mar 21, 2015
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