Get the super on trend BLEACHED out wood look on furniture the easy way!

Bleached out vibes with Au Natural!

The washed-out, sun-bleached wood look is absolutely trending! It brings a serene, coastal, and farmhouse vibe to any piece of furniture or home decor. While getting that perfect light, airy finish might seem tricky, Dixie Belle Paint Company has two fantastic methods to help you achieve it!

Let's dive into how you can use VooDoo Gel Stain or the Dixie Belle Bleach Kit to transform your projects.

Method 1: The Magic of Water-Based VooDoo Gel Stain

Dixie Belle's VooDoo Gel Stains are incredibly easy to work with and are perfect for getting a lighter, color-washed effect on raw or properly prepped wood.

Fireside Ash Voo Doo Gel Stain!

✨ The Washed-Out Bleached Look (Using VooDoo Gel Stain)

The secret to a "washed-out" or "pickled" look with VooDoo Gel Stain is to use the product straight from the bottle and control the color with your application and wipe-back technique. This product is naturally translucent and easy to spread, making it ideal for a sheer wash! Need a video tutorial? Click here!

1. Prep Your Wood: Ensure your wood is clean, sanded smooth, and free of any old finishes. For a true bleached look, you need a nice, clean canvas.

2. Apply the Stain: Choose a VooDoo Gel Stain color like White Magic (for a white-wash effect) or Au Naturel (for a pale, natural look).

   • Using a quality brush, applicator pad, or a lint-free cloth, apply a thin, even layer of the un-thinned VooDoo Gel Stain over the wood surface.

3. Wipe Back Immediately: Work in small sections and, after applying, immediately wipe the excess product off with a clean, lint-free cloth or an old t-shirt. Wipe in the direction of the wood grain. The immediate wipe-back is what gives you that beautiful, sheer, washed-out effect, allowing the wood grain to shine through.

4. Build Your Color: Let the first coat dry completely (it dries fast!). If you want a slightly darker or more opaque look, simply repeat the application and immediate wipe-back process until you achieve your perfect washed-out finish.

Seal It! Once completely dry, protect your gorgeous new finish with a water-based topcoat like Dixie Belle's Gator Hide or Clear Coat using the blue sponge.

Method 2: True Wood Lightening with the Dixie Belle Bleach Kit (A & B Mixture)

If your wood is naturally too dark, red, or yellow for the perfect bleached look, a stain wash might not be enough. This is where the Dixie Belle Bleach Kit comes in handy! This powerful two-part system is used to chemically lighten the wood itself, making it the ultimate prep step for achieving a truly pale, light wood base before any staining or sealing.

💡 Getting a Lighter Base Before Staining

Crucial Safety Note: The wood surface must be raw and stripped of any old finish, wax, or polish. Always wear chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and ensure you have adequate ventilation. Do not mix Part A and Part B together—they must be applied separately to the wood.

1. Prep: Ensure your wood is sanded down to raw wood and clean. Set up a well-ventilated work area and put on your protective gear.

2. Apply Part A: Using a new sponge or applicator pad, generously apply Part A to the raw wood, fully saturating the area.

   • Allow Part A to soak into the wood for 5 minutes on soft woods or 10 minutes on hard woods. Do not allow it to dry.

3. Apply Part B: While the surface is still wet from Part A, use a separate, clean sponge or applicator pad to apply Part B directly over Part A. This is where the chemical reaction happens.

4. Dry and Process: Allow the wood to stand overnight to dry completely. This time is essential for the bleach to fully process and lighten the wood.

5. Sand: The next day, lightly sand the surface (e.g., with 220-grit sandpaper) to remove any residue and reveal the brightened wood beneath. Sanding also closes the raised wood grain.

6. Repeat (if needed): If a lighter color is desired, repeat steps 2 through 5.

7. Stain or Seal: Now that your wood is significantly lighter and paler, you can apply your VooDoo Gel Stain Wash (as described in Method 1) for a final bleached color-wash, or simply seal the lightened wood with a clear topcoat!

   
   
   
   

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🎨 Which Method is Right for You?

Goal	Wood Type	Recommended Dixie Belle Product
Simple color-wash on already light wood.	Already naturally light wood (e.g., maple, birch).	VooDoo Gel Stain (applied and wiped back immediately)
Significantly lighten naturally dark, red, or yellow wood before staining.	Dark, red, or yellow wood (e.g., cherry, mahogany, red oak).	Dixie Belle Bleach Kit (A & B Mixture)
The ultimate lightened look (very pale base + soft color).	Any wood type.	Bleach Kit first, then VooDoo Gel Stain

Whether you opt for the easy color wash with VooDoo Gel Stain or go for the ultimate lightening power of the Dixie Belle Bleach Kit, you have all the tools you need to create that coveted, airy, washed-out bleached wood look! Need a video tutorial? Click here!

I have every DIY tutorial located in one spot! My YouTube channel - even a whole section dedicated to beginners, come join me!

Need the link to my amazing sander? It's a Surf Prep sanding system!

Melissa

The Top Drawer RVA

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