Whitewash / limewash over varnished wood ceiling?
I've been searching the internet looking for tips on how to whitewash a finished wood ceiling without sanding. I can't seem to find a solid answer on if I can just go ahead and paint over it or if I really do need to sand it. I read that one option is a de-glosser and scraping off the finish first. Looking for tips on minimal effort as the ceilings are vaulted and I'd rather only have my arms over my head to paint, but want to make sure I do the job right the first time around too.
Comments (19)
melle_sacto is hot and dry in CA Zone 9/
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoRelated Discussions
Whitewashing a Red Brick Fireplace?
Comments (7)I white-washed my red bricks about 25 years ago. Easy and I think it looks great. Still did when we moved out 4 years ago. I don't recall having to wipe anything off. I did most of it just during my kid's afternoon nap time. And my brick was about 6 feet wide, floor to ceiling, 9.5' ceilings. I just thinned white paint with water, sponged it on, and had plastic on my wood floors with towels layered on top to catch any run-off. If I recall correctly, there was a little but not much. The plastic without towels probably would have worked fine. I worked from top to bottom so I was able to quickly sponge any lines of paint that did stream down the brick. I'd say give it a try. If you don't like it but were going to paint the brick anyway, you can always paint over it. Personally, I hate the look of painted brick so I was a bit worried but hated the cheap brick (really Z-brick facing bricks) in my 1908 house with all the original, unpainted woodworking. It was a modernization attempt gone wrong. Might have worked better in a different style house. What I really liked about it is that the brick looked like real white brick when I was done, not like bricks that were painted. The paint was thinner in some areas than others so a little bit of the brick barely showed through but just looked like darker spots, not like red brick. It looked very natural. I received many compliments on it. Give it a try. You really have nothing to lose if you don't like your current brick....See MoreWhite upper cabinets, or whitewash pine walls?
Comments (0)The kitchen in our new cabin is slated for a makeover. I’m not moving walls. The appliances are basically staying where they are as it’s a good layout. The cabinets are very basic and do not make the most of storage, plus they are cathedral honey oak doors! I have lived with painted cabinets (that I’ve loved) for the past thirty years so I’m ready for a change. The hope is for quarter sawn oak cabinets, leathered black countertops and mostly stainless appliances. This is one room that is enclosed enough that we could do a milk paint or wash in a lighter color on the walls, or the ceiling? Or I can do white uppers. Oh, the current kitchen only has the ceiling fan light and a recessed can over the sink. In the update I’m adding under cabinet lighting as well as changing the ceiling fan to a track light and 3 wall sconces. I’m getting rid of some of the uppers and going all the way up to the ceiling on the new uppers on the range wall. Kitchen right now, Wood lowers white uppers on range wall. One inspiration...See MoreWhitewashing 1950s varnished knotty pine...???
Comments (15)shellac will dissolve w/denatured alcohol. you can try it on a rag to see if it comes off. If not, it's prob a varnish. those saying you have to strip are talking about a whitewash stain. yes a stain needs bare wood to be able to absorb. whitewashing w/paint does not. if you want to white wash with paint, you don't need to strip. I've posted a few links, so click on those. chalk paint needs no stripping. you could dry brush it on to get the white washed stain look. test it out in an inconspicuous spot to see what you like. You can always remove it with paint remover, or a light sanding....See MorePaint cream or whitewash??
Comments (25)I like it w/just the brick. the brickwork is beautiful. I like it how it is, or if you decide to do a light white wash. I think the white wash will work better w/your bookcases and white trim work in the room. I'd start w/a very light wash like these two you could also trim it out on the edges like they've done here, should you decide to keep the white. But I would do a diff mantle style than what you have. something like this one would look better just a quick photoshop. gave you a wood mantle too. although, I think one that matches your wood beams would look better (still think you should do one of those rugs under the sofa) I also like how you have your little sitting area w/the pillows you could remove the rod over the door. do you really need drapes there?...See MoreNick Platt
4 years agocat_ky
4 years agojslazart
4 years agoNick Miller
4 years ago1st off, you have a beautiful space.
2nd -- what everyone else said, don't paint it! Those are beautiful ceiling and beams. Reminds me of a project where someone spent a LONG time (as in several years) getting rid of white-washing and restoring an MCM home to it's former glory. If too much wood for you, sheetrock the walls.
You could also stain or paint the beams darker if you want to accent them, but please don't painting the ceiling!
Laura Liv
4 years agolast modified: 4 years agoThanks everyone... we have talked about leaving it and maybe I would be committing a horrible wood sin :)
The paneling is absolutely coming off! The flooring is also cheap and poorly installed laminate and will be renovated next year but budget this year is the windows as they were never properly installed and have leaking issues. It's true there's too much "wood" competition.. I want to make sure the lighter, cooler tone of the future flooring works with the darker and warmer tone of the ceiling. Or can I tone the ceiling out a bit cooler with a stain over top? If so, I can leave that project until next year and just do walls and beams. This is the color scheme we are heading for.
Nick Platt
4 years agoUser
4 years agocat_ky
4 years ago
jmm1837
4 years agojslazart
4 years agoLaura Liv
4 years ago
Carie Saad
4 years agoci_lantro
4 years agoNick Platt
4 years agoNick Miller
4 years agoNice. I think you can definitely still have the light and airy space like you want and maintain the ceiling by changing the walls and floors instead. I think it will seriously be the highlight of the room when you're done. Here's another inspiration pic for you:
Mariliis Sepp
last yearlast modified: last year
ci_lantro