How do I brighten up barn board?

by Debra

Answered

The barn board is dark gray half way from floor up going horizontal. Thx!

5 answers

Recreated Designs on Mar 28, 2019

Hi Debra. You can make a wash from paint and use it to lighten the barn board. I would use a non-latex paint (Annie Sloan Chalk Paint or Powdered milk paint) in a white colour and water it down. You can then either lightly brush it on and wipe off or wipe it on. It will add a light wash of white and lighten the wood.

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- Kelli L. Milligan on Mar 28, 2019
  
  Chalk paint is a latex base paint with chalk minerals in it. Just an fyi.
  
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- Recreated Designs on Mar 29, 2019
  
  Annie Sloan Chalk Paint has no synthetic latex in it. Paints such a Behr and Rustomleum that have a "chalk" type paint in their lines are synthetic latex paints with chalk added in to give them a chalky texture. True milk paint such as Miss Mustard Seed Milk Paint is a powdered paint that again has no synthetic latex in it. Hope that helps Debra.
  
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Amanda on Mar 28, 2019

Hi Debra. You can prime it and then paint it a neutral or white color. I would recommend using a oil base primer on the barn board. For me it covered better than the latex base. Good Luck!

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Kelli L. Milligan on Mar 28, 2019

Always use oil based products on raw wood. Keeps them from drying out and splitting.

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Em on Mar 28, 2019

Is it going to be inside or outside? A project with the wood or a barn? Not clear on what you are asking.

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Deborah Giovannangelo on Apr 18, 2021

Hello there , I have some barn board pieces I wanted to keep Natural! I was able to sand them to bring the natural lights out and went over them with an oil , came out beautifully ! You can use a food grade butcher block oil , or any type of oil you like ,just use in coats be sure to reapply when the wood looks dry .

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