Am I making a mistake by turning my pine dresser purple with stain instead of achieving the white wash look I wanted?
Asked by Raul Beck 
3 months ago
Last Updated: August 31, 2024
Hey there! I’m pretty new to DIY projects and I decided to try giving this pine dresser a white wash finish. But, I ended up with a purple-ish color after staining it. I’m not sure what went wrong. Any tips or advice?
The color seems to match the can, but it might look a bit more purple in real life. You didn’t do anything wrong.
When I decided to whitewash my kitchen table, I simply mixed white paint with water. I applied a test coat on the underside of the table and continued adding more water until I achieved the desired effect. It turned out really well!
Hey , I think this is also a good suggestion.
Hey , I ended up doing it the same way. It turned out really well!
I believe it’s simply a matter of the difference in tones.
Consider trying a high-quality stain instead.
No, I actually do wood working and I’m not a fan of this specific “white wash” technique. My trick for achieving a stained look with any color? I use baby wipes to apply it smoothly, making sure not to let the paint pool in one area or apply it too heavily, especially on porous surfaces. By using multiple wipes, I can create a variety of color stains using just baby wipes and the paint of my choice. It’s a method I really enjoy.
I typically apply stain and then clean it with a mix of paint and water, as Joy suggested. This allows me to determine the amount I want to use.
The painters at our job sites apply diluted white paint and promptly wipe it off.
I don’t believe you did anything incorrect. I believe it’s simply the nature of that specific stain. Maybe consider using a traditional white stain? Next time, test the product on a hidden area before proceeding.
When working with this kind of wood, you can try dampening the raw wood with a damp rag and water, then letting it dry before applying the stain.
It’s always a good idea to do a test first.
I’ve noticed that some people achieve the effect you mentioned by using a thinned pale beige paint as a wash.
I also agree with the recommendation of using General Finishes stain.
The antique white color has a hint of pink. You might want to consider using white stain which is a pure white without any undertones.
I’ve owned that dresser for nearly a decade, and it’s still in great condition.
Before proceeding, test a small hidden area first, such as inside drawers or the back. Antique White tends to have a beige undertone. Just a heads up! 🤷♂️👍🙏🏼
Try using a mixture of white paint and water. Apply, then wipe away.
You ended up with antique white. Can you believe it?
It enhanced the natural oils and color. Is it totally dry?