Antique White Wash with Wash Off Technique

Antique white finish is the white finish with an old, dirty, and antique look. The antique impression is enhanced by rubbed off the paint at the edges to  the distressed and ware of the paint. The antique white finishing is needed when the antique and country furniture style is made.

antique white finish

There are some techniques that can be used to make an antique white finish, such as wash off, rubbed off, distress, etc. In previous articles, I have shared the antique white finish by sand-through technique (see our previous article: antique white finish). 

In this post, I used a wash-off technique to remove the paint layer to make an antique effect. The finished look is very similar to the rub-off finish; an antique finish with a paint layer is removed in some parts. But since the removal of the paint is done by washing it off with thinner, then the antique impression is a little bit different.

The paint highlight resulting usually is more soft and natural-looking than the sand-off technique. The paint wipe-off with thinner does not leave the sanding mark as the sandpaper does.

The finishing process in here is done by using NC-type finishing materials. The base coat, sealer, and top coat that are used are the NC type. The finishing material that is drying with reaction such as PU or AC cannot be used for this finish, because those are thermosetting material that are not resolved with thinner

Here is the finishing step by step:

• Physical distress

Physical distress is made to add the antique impression. In finishing, I used nails to make wormholes, chains, and rock to make damage impressions caused by bumps. Sand the wood surface to subtilize the roughness caused by the physical distress.

• Base coat application

Apply the base coat by spray to coat the entire surface evenly. Make sure that the base coat layers the overall surface evenly. A two- or three-layer coat is needed to make sure the paint covers overall surface evenly. 

Let the base coat dry for a few minutes. Then soak a cloth in paint thinner, and then wipe  the dampened cloth to remove the base coat layer on certain parts. The wiped-off base coat needs to be done properly. It is the highlight process to show the wood and form the antique impression. This technique is similar to the rub-off the finish, but the wipe-off the paint layer is done with thinner. The highlight of the base coat will determine the appearance of the resulting finish. The antique finishing result mainly depends on the highlight look of the white paint. How the paint is wiped off and how much the highlight is, are the crucial things to make a good finish.

Consider the form and model of the furniture in the highlighting process; make the paint look natural because of the uses. The highlight result should look balanced and should naturally look, as if the paint has worn since the age and usage.

Do a check on the appearance of the highlighting appearance after doing the wipe-off process. Make sure a natural and well-balanced highlighted paint is obtained. Then do a scuff sanding to subtilize the rough surface caused by the wash-off process.

• Application of sealer.

The sealer application is needed to protect the highlighted base coat. Spray 1 wet coat of sealer evenly to the entire surface layer of sealer. Wait for about 30 minutes to let the sealer dry before going to the next process. You can continue applying the glaze on the next step without sanding the sealer.

• Application of glaze

Glaze is applied to produce a more lively and antique finishing appearance. Brush glaze on the surface evenly, and then do the highlights and let it dry. You can continue with other antiquing processes such as dry brushing, cowtailing, or spattering if needed.

• The second sealer application.

The second sealer is applied to protect the finishing appearance underneath that has been obtained and also to prepare a smooth surface before top coat application. Spray wet coat or sealer coat evenly to the entire surface. Wait until it dry, and then sand the sealer. A good sanding is needed to make a smooth surface before the top coat application.

• Application of top coat.

The top coat application as the final step is purposed to make a protection to the finished result, to make gloss of the finish, and to make a smooth surface on the finish. Spray the top coat evenly to the overall surface. Use the low- or semi-gloss sheen non-yellowing top coat for this finish.