Making Pallets Look like Barn Wood

 

I just posted about this repurposed industrial cart on Barn Loft.  It's a great piece, but the best part of this project was figuring out how to make pallet wood look like barn board.  Well, I think I came up with a process that works.  Take a look below:

 

 

The piece of wood on top is barn board.  The two pieces on bottom are pallet wood.  What do you think?  Pretty close, huh?!

 

How did I do it, you ask?  It was simple, actually. 

 

1.  I ran the boards through the planer to take just the tiniest bit of wood off the top.  You can use an orbital sander to get the same effect.  Just be sure to remove any splintery pieces.

 

2.  I used a whitewash "stain" I picked up at the Depot.  The trick here was to dip my brush (just a cheap chipbrush) into a glass of water then into the witewash.  It dilluted the wash just enough to get the desired look.  I removed any excess with a damp cloth.

 

3.  Last, I went over the whole piece with a combination of clear and dark wax.  I used Annie Sloan, but any tinted wax will do.  As with the whitewash, I dipped my brush (another chipbrush) into the clear wax then into the dark wax.  I mixed the two up a bit on a paper plate, then brushed onto the wood, being sure to work the wax into all the nooks and crannies.  I buffed it up with a clean rag and this is the result.

 

Not bad, if I do say so myself!  I plan to take lots of photos next time I use this process so I can provide a more detailed tutorial.  In the meantime, please stop by my studio during the Nashua Artwalk, September 29 and 30!

 

See you soon!

 

Michelle