Wet Technique (Wash)

The wet technique brings out the wood grain: diluted chalk paint creates a transparent look – perfect for white wash & vintage-style furniture.

How to achieve the look

Prepare and clean

Before you begin painting, prepare your furniture. Remove all handles and hinges, and take off drawers and doors to make the process easier. Clean the surface with soapy water to remove dust and dirt – harsh chemicals are not necessary. Cover areas that should not be painted with painter's tape. You can find detailed instructions on painting furniture with chalk paint here.

Preparing chalk paint

Dilute the chalk paint with water until it reaches a fluid consistency that allows the wood grain to show through. Ensure the paint is well mixed to achieve an even result. The wash effect can be achieved with white chalk paint or any other color of your choice.

Apply paint

Apply the diluted paint evenly to the piece of furniture using a chalk paint brush. Work in all directions to ensure the paint is well absorbed into the wood grain. Be careful not to apply too much paint so that the natural texture of the wood remains visible.

Wipe off excess paint

Intensify effect

Your furniture in the whitewashed look is finished!

Natural, light, and full of character: the transparent application of color keeps the wood grain visible while simultaneously giving it a new color effect. Depending on the color you choose and how much you wipe away, you can make the wash look either very subtle or a bit more intense.

Would you like to try out this technique on your next project? Download the instructions as a PDF and get started.

Download PDF instructions

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Step 5

DONE!

Products Used

annie sloan kreidefarbe old white farbmuster

Chalk paint Old White

from CHF 14.90

Flat brush

from CHF 12.50

annie-sloan-chalk-paint-wachs-klar-120ml

Clear Wax Soft

from CHF 12.80

Annie Sloan paint stirring stick

CHF 1.50

Suitable alternatives for your DIY project

Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

Brushes, paint rollers & more

Chalk paint Old White

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe coolabah green farbmuster

Chalk Paint Coolabah Green

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe athenian black farbmuster

Chalk paint Athenian Black

from CHF 14.90

Chalk paint Pure

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe original farbmuster

Chalk paint Original

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe duck egg blue farbmuster

annie sloan kreidefarbe duck egg blue mood1

Chalk paint Duck Egg Blue

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe graphite farbmuster

Chalk paint Graphite

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe aubusson blue farbmuster

annie sloan kreidefarbe aubusson blue mood1

Aubusson Blue Chalk Paint

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe french linen farbmuster

annie sloan kreidefarbe french linen mood3

Chalk paint French Linen

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe old ochre farbmuster

Chalk paint Old Ochre

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe svenska blue farbmuster

Chalk paint Svenska Blue

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe amsterdam green farbmuster

annie sloan kreidefarbe amsterdam green mood1

Chalk paint Amsterdam Green

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe country grey farbmuster

annie sloan kreidefarbe country grey mood1

Chalk paint Country Grey

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe antoinette farbmuster

Chalk paint Antoinette

from CHF 14.90

Chalk paint Coco

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe oxford navy farbmuster

Chalk paint Oxford Navy

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe olive farbmuster

Chalk paint Olive

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe paprika red farbmuster

annie sloan kreidefarbe paprika red mood2

Chalk paint Paprika Red

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe louis blue farbmuster

annie sloan kreidefarbe louis blue mood1

Chalk paint Louis Blue

from CHF 14.90

annie sloan kreidefarbe chateau grey farbmuster

annie sloan kreidefarbe chateau grey mood1

Chalk paint Chateau Grey

from CHF 14.90

Tips & FAQs

You can use almost any chalk paint for the wet technique. The white wash effect with white paint is particularly popular, but bold colors can also be used to create different styles while keeping the wood grain visible.

Dilute the chalk paint with water until it has a fluid consistency that allows the wood grain to show through. Ensure that the paint is well mixed to achieve an even result.

The wet-on-wet technique is particularly well-suited for untreated wood surfaces with a textured grain, such as pine or spruce. These types of wood are easy to work with using this paint, while the grain remains visible.

Further helpful guides

View all posts

Herbstliches Willkommensschild mit Blätterdruck

Autumnal welcome sign with leaf print

Bring autumn to your doorstep! For this welcome sign, real leaves become stamps: painted with various chalk paints, they leave their fine textures directly on the wood. This way, you create a very personal autumn motif, leaf by leaf.

#Bastelideen

Finishing with metallic wax

Give your furniture a touch of luxury with the metallic wax finish!

#Dekortechniken

Wax finishing

Give your furniture individual character!

#Dekortechniken

Photo transfer onto wood

Transfer photos onto wood.

#Bastelideen

Glas-Kerzenhalter mit Kreidemarker gestalten

Decorate glass candle holders with chalk markers

Decorate glass candle holders & vases with chalk markers

#Bastelideen

Kreidefarbe & Spritztechnik für DIY-Geschenkpapier

Chalk paint & spray technique for DIY wrapping paper

Make your own personalized wrapping paper.

#Bastelideen

Ostereier mit Metallic-Folie & Kreidefarbe gestalten

Decorating Easter eggs with metallic foil & chalk paint

Decorating Easter eggs – with metallic foil & chalk paint With metallic foil and chalk paint, old decorative eggs become elegant Easter eggs with a glamorous look. Simple & creative – perfect for your DIY Easter decorations with a wow effect.

#Bastelideen

Mini-Kommode veredeln mit Transferfolie & Blattmetall

Refining a mini chest of drawers with transfer foil & metal leaf

Turn a small wooden chest of drawers into a stylish jewelry box.

#Bastelideen