How to Restore Barn Wood

Co-authored by William & Shannon Latil

Last Updated: December 30, 2022 References

Barn wood (or reclaimed wood) is perfect for giving furniture an aged, warm look similar to an antique. If you have barn wood or barn wood furniture, restoring it is the best way to bring out its natural beauty. Clean the surface of the wood, apply a termite protectant, and apply a new finish to restore barn wood and protect it from damage. Once you've properly restored it, your ban wood's rustic allure will last for years to come.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Cleaning Barn Wood

1
Spray your barn wood with a hose to surface clean it. Turn on your garden hose and move the spray back and forth along the barn wood's surface. Target especially dusty or dirty areas on your barn wood to remove as much as possible before deep cleaning the wood.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- If you don't remove all of the dirt, don't worry. You can remove stubborn debris with a power washer later.
2
Clean the barn wood with a pressure washer for deep cleaning. Turn the pressure washer onto its lowest setting and hold the nozzle about 2 feet (0.61 m) away from the barn wood. Spray the nozzle in sweeping motions over the wood's surface to get rid of stubborn dirt or debris.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- If you don't own a pressure washer, you can rent one from some home improvement stores.
Advertisement
3
Scrub delicate barn wood with water instead of using a pressure washer. If your barn wood is fragile or antique, fill a bucket with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of warm water per 4 tablespoons (59 mL) of mild dish soap. Dip a cleaning brush in the solution and scrub the entire surface of the barn wood, applying extra pressure to dirty or stained areas.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- If you don't have access to a pressure washer, this is an acceptable alternative.
4
Sand the dry barn wood down for a smoother surface. Wait for the barn wood to air dry for at least 1-2 hours before sanding it. Then, to get rid of bumps or imperfections, press 220-grit sandpaper against the wood's surface. Rub the 220-grit sandpaper in circular motions around the wood's surface, then brush away any residual sandpaper dust with a washcloth.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- For a faster alternative, use an electric sander instead.
- Wait until the barn wood's surface is completely dry before sanding it.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Protecting Barn Wood from Termites

1
Mix a Borax solution in a bucket. Put on a pair of thick rubber gloves, then combine 3 cups (0.71 L) of Borax with 1 gallon (3.8 L) of water in a bucket. Stir until the Borax dissolves entirely into the water and creates a translucent solution.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- You can also buy store-bought Borax-based chemicals made for barn wood as an alternative. These chemicals are generally harsher, however, and not made for use on indoor wood.^{[6]
  X
  Research source}
- The chemicals in Borax deter termites from getting near the wood because of its strong, harsh scent. It can also kill any termites on the surface of the wood.
2
Coat the barn wood in the Borax solution. Dip a sponge in the Borax solution and spread it across the wood surface in long, even strokes. Cover as much of the wood's surface as possible, paying special attention to any harder-to-reach corners or crevices.^{[7]
X
Research source}
3
Let the barn wood dry for up to a week. Lay your barn wood down outside or in a warm, dry place where they won't be disturbed. Leave it undisturbed for at least 6-7 days to give the Borax solution time to set in the wood.^{[8]
X
Research source}
4
Brush off any Borax crystals after the wood dries. Borax crystals may form on the barn wood's surface after drying. Lay out a plastic tarp outdoors and set your wood on top. Using a bristle brush, scrub away any Borax crystals in downward strokes until the wood looks clean and crystal-free.^{[9]
X
Research source}
- Put on safety goggles and a respirator to protect yourself while scrubbing away the crystals.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Refinishing Barn Wood

1
Strip the barn wood of paint, if applicable. Dip a brush in a chemical paint stripper and spread it over the barn wood's painted surface. Let it soak into the wood as directed by the packaging, then scrape off the paint with a paint scraper.^{[10]
X
Research source} Always apply stripper outdoors since the fumes are very strong.
- Wear safety goggles, thick rubber gloves, and a respirator or dust mask while stripping barn paint to protect your eyes, hands, and lungs.
- The amount of time the paint stripper must set may vary from 30 minutes to a day. Check the paint stripper's instructions for specific times.
- You can buy paint strippers from most craft or home repair stores.
- Always pour the stripper into a metal container instead of a plastic one, as strippers eat through plastic.
2
Sand your barn wood down with 100-grit sandpaper. Press your sanding block or electric sander directly against the wood's surface. Rub the wood surface with the sandpaper in circular motions, using firm pressure against bumps or other imperfections.^{[11]
X
Research source}
- A 100-grit sandpaper block is best for removing splinters and imperfections before finishing without removing the wood's unique texture.
- If using an electric sander, wear safety goggles and sand the object slowly to prevent injuries.
3
Lay out a plastic tarp in a well-ventilated area. Spread out a plastic tarp to prevent the wood finish from staining other objects. If possible, find a spot either outdoors or near open doors or windows to protect your lungs from strong fumes.
- If you're sensitive to chemical fumes, wear a respirator while applying the finish.
4
Apply the wax or polyurethane-based wood finish to the surface with a paintbrush. Dip a large bristle brush in the wood finish and coat the barn wood's surface in short, even strokes. Work from one end of the barn wood to the other until you cover the entire surface in wood finish, smoothing out any uneven areas with your paintbrush.^{[12]
X
Research source}
- You can find wood finishes from most home improvement stores or online. Wax or polyurethane-based stains work best on barn wood to protect it without changing its color or texture.^{[13]
  X
  Research source}
- Depending on the wood shape, you may need to let one side dry before painting the other.
5
Add 1-2 more coats of wood finish. Wait 30-60 minutes for the first coat to dry, than apply additional coats to the surface using the same technique. At least 2-3 coats is ideal to protect the barn wood from wear or weather damage.
- After applying the last coat, leave the barn wood undisturbed to dry for 18-24 hours.
6
Protect the finish with a wood sealant. After the last wood finish coat dries, dip a large bristle brush in the wood sealant and apply a light coat to the wood's surface. Coat the wood with sealant using long strokes to give it a smooth finish and protect it from weather damage.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- You can buy wood sealants online or from most home repair stores.
- Applying a sealant is especially important for outdoor barn wood furniture, which will have more exposure to the elements.