Whitewashed timber floors are one of the most popular finishes of recent years! They can brighten your home with a contemporary, Scandi look that suits most design aesthetics.
Modern timber whitewashes are also perfect for DIY-ers. Products like Blanchon’s Iceberg are easy to apply, so you can handle the work yourself.
It takes careful preparation, but you can achieve stunning colour variations with timber whitewash. In this article, we’ll provide instructions on how to apply whitewash to your timber floors and achieve the best result possible.
What is Whitewash Varnish?
Whitewash varnish is a type of timber finish that highlights and intensifies the natural colour of the wood. Most whitewash products contain a white pigment, but some products use bleach to lighten the colour of the wood.
We recommend using water-based varnishes designed to lighten your floor, rather than bleaches which can be highly toxic and harsh on the timber.
How to Apply Timber Whitewash
The application instructions for timber whitewash vary widely. Make sure you follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results.
We recommend Blanchon’s Iceberg for DIY whitewashing projects. Here’s how to apply Iceberg to your timber floors:
1. Prepare Your Home and Remove the Old Finish
Preparation is the biggest part of whitewashing your timber floors. The more time you spend on sanding and prep work, the better the finish will be!
- Remove furniture, rugs and anything else on the floor.
- Vacuum the floor thoroughly to remove any grit and dirt.
- Use 40 grit sandpaper to sand the entire floor, and 60 grit sandpaper to sand the edges of the room.
- If necessary, fill any gaps between boards, cracks, dents and imperfections. Allow the timber filler to cure properly before moving on.
- Use 60 grit sandpaper to sand the floor and smooth the timber filler. Use 80 grit sandpaper for the edges of the room.
- Use 100/120 grit sandpaper to sand the entire room, and buff the edges of the room with a 100 grit sanding pad.
We’re aiming to remove the old finish and fix imperfections in the timber. See our blog on refinishing timber floors for detailed instructions about preparing your floors for whitewash.
2. Apply Blanchon Iceberg
Once your floors have been prepared, it’s time to apply Blanchon Iceberg. Iceberg is a hybrid water-based polyurethane wood floor lacquer that adds a natural Nordic touch. It’s easy to apply:
- Thoroughly mix the product.
- Using a paint brush, apply a coat of Iceberg around the edges of the room.
- Using a premium microfibre roller, apply 3 uniform coats of Iceberg across the entire floor, working in sections. Make sure not to work too far ahead as the varnish will dry too quickly, causing laplines.
- Allow 3 hours in between coats for the varnish to dry.
It’s recommended that you do not wait more than 24 hours between coats.
3. Add Optional Hardener to the Final Coat
For a more durable 2-component finish, you can add Aqua Pro hardener to the final coat of Blanchon Iceberg:
- Lightly buff the floor with 150-220 grit sandpaper before the final coat.
- Iceberg and Aqua Pro hardener should be mixed together immediately before use. Always use the following measures: 9 parts of lacquer to 1 part of hardener.
- Mix immediately and thoroughly for 2 to 3 minutes. The mixture should be used within 90 minutes.
- Apply the product with a brush and roller.
Clean tools with water immediately after use.
Get a Contemporary Finish With Timber Whitewash From Quicksand Supplies!
Timber whitewash is a great way to lighten the colour of your floors and achieve a contemporary finish. Blanchon’s timber whitewashes are easy to apply and perfect for DIY projects!
Quicksand Supplies offers everything you need for your project. Our range includes timber primer, whitewash and accessories like rollers and sandpaper.
For best results, make sure to read the manufacturer’s instructions carefully before you begin working. If you’re unsure about the process, contact us and we can provide advice on how to achieve the look you’re going for!
Quicksand Supplies has decades of experience in floor sanding and refinishing, so we can make recommendations on the best products for your project.