- 1). Remove any existing varnish or finish from the pine. Put on eye protection and chemical-resistant gloves. Dollop paint stripper thickly onto the pine with a disposable brush. Scrape off all softened varnish with a scraper, once the paint stripper’s dwell time is complete. Scrub off lacquer and shellac finishes with steel wool drenched in denatured alcohol.
- 2). Saturate a cloth with water. Rinse the pine to clean off the paint stripper or denatured alcohol. Let the wood air-dry.
- 3). Mix equal portions of hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide from a two-part wood bleaching system. Mix the chemicals in a plastic bucket, and use only the amount you can apply immediately to the pine. Follow the bleaching system’s directions.
- 4). Spread the bleaching mixture onto the pine with a sponge. Apply the mixture smoothly and evenly, thoroughly coating the pine. Let the mixture sit on the pine for the amount of time advised by the bleach system manufacturer.
- 5). Saturate a cloth with warm water. Use it to thoroughly rinse the hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide mixture from the pine.
- 6). Neutralize any remaining hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide with a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water. Evenly wipe the vinegar solution onto the pine with a fresh cloth.
- 7). Drench another cloth with warm water. Wipe the vinegar off the pine, thoroughly rinsing the wood.
- 8). Let the pine air-dry for 24 hours. Once the pine is dry, inspect its color. If the hue is not light enough, repeat the entire procedure.
- 9). Sand the pine lightly when it is the hue you desire. Rub 400-grit sandpaper over the pine to smooth the surface and remove any fuzzy wood grain.
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