How to Antique White Stain a Table

Megan
by Megan
2 Materials
$20
45 Minutes
Easy

Hi! I want to share with you how to take a dark table to a lighter finish. This is becoming a popular finish! I'm seeing a lot of lighter finishes by designers on instagram. I wanted to put together a tutorial on the products to buy to achieve this light white stained table top finish so you can easily stain your own table at home! :) You can follow me on Instagram here! This is a fun technique that will save you time from completely stripping your wood furniture retaining. :)I began sanding this table with 80 grit sand paper. I know this can sound abrasive but, you want to create scratches so that the white stain will seep into those scratches. :) Its like you are almost creating your own wood grain with sand paper! How fun is this!?

Once you have created enough scratches with the 80 grit sandpaper, lightly go over it with a finer grade sandpaper like 220 grit sand paper. This will help sullen out the scratches just a bit. After you have sanded to your liking you can begin by applying your antique white stain. :) I used Rust-oleums. The main thing is that it is a white stain. Use a foam brush to apply the stain!Completed picture of the antique white stained table top above. :)

I lightly sanded the edges also with 220 grit sand paper and used Amy Howard's one step paint for the sides. The color is "a good man is hard to find". I really liked this gray!

Another little close up after I sealed the table with poly. :) I sealed this piece with General Finishes High Performance Top Coat Poly.

Bringing it all together!

Picture of the completed table.What do you think of this table top makeover!? Do you like the weathered white top? I'd LOVE to hear! Comment below!

Suggested materials:
  • Dark wood top table   (goodwill)
  • Antique Wood Stain by Rustoleum   (Wal-Mart)
  • Foam Brushes   (Wal-Mart)
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Megan
Want more details about this and other DIY projects? Check out my blog post!
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 2 comments
  • Joy Joy on Sep 11, 2021

    I just searched to see if I could find a paint treatment to use on a metallic silver painted dresser that needs refinishing. Yours is very close to the color I have now so I’m going to try it. I love the dresser but I can’t get the paint that I used anymore and it has areas where the paint has chipped so I thought some type of antiquing might work. My search lead me to your piece and it looks so nice! Thanks for sharing!

    • Megan Megan on Sep 11, 2021

      Yay joy!! That’s a great idea to go with a distressed look if your piece has a small amount of chipping! It will look beautiful!

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