Recommended Free Tools
ThatPainter is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Learn More
To whitewash red oak without amplifying its pink cast, Kristi Linauer used a custom water-based blend: one gallon of white-tint-base stain, six teaspoons of green craft paint, one cup of flat white ceiling paint, one cup of Floetrol and one cup of water. She tested the blend first, then had one person wipe it on and another remove excess with dry rags. The method covered about 550 square feet in just under three hours, but it is a historical personal experiment—not a manufacturer-verified floor formula.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
This is Part 1 of that project. It documents the stain stage on the studio floor and adjoining half bath, storage closet and back entry. The polyurethane topcoat had not been applied yet, so the color shown at this stage is not the finished-floor color.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →What the project was trying to achieve
Linauer wanted the red oak to look light, bright, clean and consistent while reducing the red and pink undertones that can become prominent under a white stain. She specifically did not want a rustic, distressed or farmhouse appearance. In her words, “I wanted a clean and consistent look to the floor.”
#1 Best Overall
- COMPLETE 5-PIECE BRUSH SET FOR EVERY PAINTING TASK — Includes 1 Inch Flat, 1.5 Inch Angle, 2 Inch Flat, 2 Inch Angle Stubby, and 2.5 Inch Angle brush giving you every size professional painters use daily. Get all 5 for less than the price of a single brush from hardware store brands — professional grade performance at a fraction of the cost. Perfect for walls, trim, cabinets, doors, furniture, and detailed cutting-in work on any project.
- ZERO BRISTLE LOSS — GUARANTEED BY PRECISION ADHESIVE BONDING — Every bristle is locked in place with precision-set adhesive that keeps them in the brush — not in your paint job. The coated steel ferrule provides structural support while the adhesive bond ensures clean performance on every stroke. Premium SRT synthetic filaments load more paint and release it evenly for a smooth streak-free finish on walls, ceilings, and trim. Works with latex, oil-based paint, primer, sealer, and wood stain.
- INCLUDES THE ANGLE STUBBY MOST SETS LEAVE OUT — Professional painters know the 2 Inch Angle Stubby is the go-to brush for tight cabinet interiors, window sashes, inside corners, and detailed trim where standard angle brushes are too long. Combined with the 1.5 and 2.5 inch angle sash brushes you have precision cutting-in covered at every scale — baseboards, crown molding, door casings, and ceiling lines.
- FLAT BRUSHES FOR BROAD SMOOTH COVERAGE ON ANY SURFACE — The 1 and 2 inch flat brushes deliver even coverage on walls, furniture, shelving, doors, fences, decks, and wood surfaces. Ideal for applying primers, stains, varnishes, polyurethane, and specialty coatings. Solid wood handles provide all-day comfort and control for both professional contractors and weekend DIY homeowners tackling interior or exterior painting projects.
- TRUSTED BY PROFESSIONAL PAINTERS AND CONTRACTORS NATIONWIDE — Pro Grade delivers professional-grade results at a price that makes sense for crews who go through brushes on every job. Ideal for property managers, remodeling contractors, apartment turnover crews, maintenance teams, and commercial painting operations. Backed by thousands of verified reviews from working painters. Washable and reusable for multiple projects.
The account covers approximately 550 square feet: the studio plus an adjoining half bath, storage closet and back entry. The reported timing—just under three hours—is the author’s result with two people on that particular floor, not a general production estimate. Wood species, board condition, room temperature, absorption and the amount of wiping can change the schedule substantially.
The historical whitewash formula
For that area, Linauer reported mixing the following quantities:
| Ingredient | Reported amount | Purpose in the blend |
|---|---|---|
| Varathane Classic water-based white tint-base wood stain | 1 gallon | White base that penetrates and colors the oak |
| Green craft paint | 6 teaspoons | Counteracts the red and pink cast she saw in the oak and in the white stain |
| White flat ceiling paint, without added colorant | 1 cup | Adds opaque white pigment to the wash |
| Floetrol | 1 cup | Changes the working and leveling behavior of the mixture |
| Water | 1 cup | Thins the mixture |
She said this batch was enough for the floor and that some remained. These proportions describe one homeowner’s experiment; they are not a tested coverage rate or a verified formula for another red-oak floor.
Important label warning: Linauer noted that the stain can said it was “not intended for floors.” Do not interpret this project account as manufacturer approval. Before putting any stain, paint additive or topcoat on a floor, read the current labels and technical instructions for the exact products, and confirm compatibility with the flooring professional or manufacturer. Product formulations and instructions may change.
Why add green to white stain?
Red oak can turn a white product pink
On her samples, white stain alone looked pink over the red oak. The wood’s warm undertones showed through the white, and she also perceived a slight red cast in the stain itself. A small amount of green shifted the mixture toward a more neutral white in her tests. This is basic complementary-color correction, not a universal tint recipe: another floor may have a different cut, age, finish residue or natural variation.
Rank #2
- Great Value Pack Artist Paint Brushes: Soucolor 20 brushes in 10 sizes professional paintbrushes set — no shedding, holds paint well, cleans easily, Acrylic, watercolor, oil, gouache, Halloween pumpkin decoration & face painting, rock painting, ceramics. Fantastic high quality gifts for creative, artistic siblings to share!
- Awesome Set of Paint brushes: Professional paint brushes can cover all of your needs. The multi-purposed brushes are ideal for Watercolor, Oil, Gouache, enamel, Acrylic Painting, Body, Nail, Face Painting, Miniature, Model, Wood, Glass, Cup, Ceramic, Fine work, Art class, Craft Art Painting, DIY Art Crafts etc.
- Soft and long-lasting: The bristles are soft and strong, with nickel metal ferrules and blue wooden handles. After cleaning, the bristles will become soft and fluffy again and will not fall off.
- Easy to clean: it’s very convenient to Wash well in soap and water. Retain shape after drying. the brushes hold up very well. Nice selection to beginners and professionals. Keep them clean and they last a long time.
- Halloween Pumpkin Ceramic Crafts Supplies: A Great painting gift for family, friends, kids, girls, women, student, classmate, teacher. For using in school, travel or used in the home and office.
Use the samples to set the tint, not a fixed rule
Linauer added green because her own boards needed it. Six teaspoons worked for her gallon batch, but copying that quantity blindly can make a different floor look gray, green or muddy. Treat the stated amount as a starting point for a controlled test, not as a guaranteed correction for every red oak installation.
Test before committing to hundreds of square feet
Testing was central to the project. Linauer compared white stain by itself with the green-adjusted mixture before applying anything broadly. A sample can reveal whether the undertone is moving in the desired direction, but a tiny board does not reproduce the variation of a whole room.
The Tool Desk
Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEScan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Make a large, representative test area that includes several boards and their normal grain variation. If possible, test in an inconspicuous section of the actual floor or on boards with the same preparation and age. Let the sample dry before judging it. Record the exact quantities so you can repeat or modify the blend rather than guessing from memory.
Judge the sample in every important light
The author discovered a major lighting difference: a sample that looked much whiter under bright LED lighting at night appeared less white and bright in natural daylight. She described that change as “a little shocking” because the right-hand sample looked “SO much whiter at night.”
View the dry sample during daylight, at night with the room’s normal lamps, and from the angles where the floor will be seen. A color that seems neutral under cool LEDs may reveal pink or warmth in daylight. Do not approve the formula from a single evening inspection.
Rank #3
- 【All sizes of art brushes】: The 10 sizes of multi-functional brushes have various shapes, making the mixing color easier, which is very suitable for artists, students, teenagers, children and painters at all levels. Wonderful Present ideas for friends and family who like painting!
- 【general brush set】: Professional paint brush can meet all your needs. Multifunctional brush is very suitable for watercolor, oil, gouache, acrylic painting, body, nail, face painting, miniature, model, ceramics, arts and crafts painting, etc.
- 【high quality process】: It is designed with anti falling bristles, anti-rust nickel ferrule and solid wood handle. You can use the brush to focus on the painting and always be creative.
- 【easy to maintain】: After using the brush, it is very convenient to clean the brush with warm soapy water and reshape the tip of the brush. Air dry the brush and place it on top of the top for long use.
- 【100% satisfaction guarantee - buy now】1 packs of set brushes, you can also get friendly customer service, any questions feel free to contact us, within 24 hours to help you! There is no risk in buying our paint brush kit.
Organize the work before mixing
- Measure each ingredient accurately; the reported recipe uses teaspoons and cups as well as a gallon.
- Prepare clean application rags and separate dry rags for removing excess.
- Plan for two people if you are working with a fast-drying water-based stain: one applies and one follows immediately with a dry rag.
- Divide the floor mentally into manageable areas so the wiping person can keep up with the applicator.
- Have the approved topcoat plan in mind, but do not apply it until the stain has dried according to the product instructions and your test confirms compatibility.
The project account begins with the floor ready to receive stain; it does not document sanding, cleaning, repairs or moisture testing. Those preparation steps depend on the existing finish and floor condition, so follow the flooring system’s instructions rather than assuming this recipe addresses them.
Recommended Free Tools
Step-by-step: applying the whitewash
- Mix the test batch first. Combine the white stain, green paint, ceiling paint, Floetrol and water in the reported proportions, then apply it to your representative test area. Keep a written record of any adjustment.
- Approve the dry color. Check the sample in daylight and artificial light. If the white is still pink, adjust only in a new test area; do not alter the entire batch without seeing the dried result.
- Mix the working batch. Once the color is acceptable, prepare enough mixture for a section you can keep wet and wipe promptly. The original batch covered the stated 550 square feet with some left over, but your spread rate may differ.
- Apply with a rag. The first person in Linauer’s pair wiped the water-based stain onto the floor. Work consistently rather than leaving heavy puddles or isolated dry patches.
- Remove excess immediately. The second person followed with dry rags. This two-person handoff was important because the stain dried quickly; delaying the wipe can change the amount of color left on each board.
- Keep moving at a steady pace. The author said they had to work briskly. Stop only at a logical break, and maintain the same application and wiping pattern from one area to the next.
- Inspect the dry stain before topcoating. Look for uneven white density, remaining pink areas and transitions between sections. Part 1 ends at this stain stage, so do not treat the initial appearance as the finished floor.
What the stained floor looked like
Linauer described the result as a subtle whitewash that reduced the red and pink appearance while preserving a clean look. It was not an opaque painted floor and not a distressed finish. Grain and board variation remained visible through the translucent color.
Because a protective finish changes sheen and can alter how light is reflected, the final color cannot be judged from the stain alone. The later topcoat report is a separate stage and should be read as follow-up experience, not as work completed in Part 1.
Later topcoat details from the same project
In her follow-up, Linauer said she waited a couple of days for the stain to dry. She then used Varathane matte floor finish tinted with 1.5 fluid ounces—three tablespoons—of white universal tint per gallon. That tint ratio is her reported practice, not manufacturer-approved compatibility guidance.
For the first two tinted coats, she used a 5-inch brush attached to an extension pole. She also tried a T-bar and a foam pad, but reported that the brush produced a more even result for her. Because the brush laid down thinner coats, she applied two brush coats to equal one regular coat in her process. Follow the current finish label for recoat timing, film thickness and tool selection rather than treating this personal sequence as a specification.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Rank #4
- Bates paint brushes come in a convenient 6 pieces with 3 flat and 3 angled bristle styles, including (1”, 1.5”, 2”) flat and (1.5”, 2”, 2.5”) angled bristles, perfect for tackling any surface painting or staining job.
- The sturdy natural bristles of each brush are designed to hold more paint, creating a smoother finish with fewer streaks and saving you time on the job.
- The lightweight wooden handles provide extra comfort and ease during long painting processes like walls, trims, cabinets, and doors.
- These versatile brushes are ready-to-use, easy to clean, and can be reused multiple times, making them economical as well as reliable tools for any painting project.
- Bates paint brushes can be used for both oil-based paints as well as latex stains and are ideal for home or commercial projects such as decks, fences or DIY painting jobs.
Another approach: a purpose-marketed white sealer
A separate red-oak flooring account from Four Generations One Roof compared Bona Amber, Intense, Natural and Nordic Seal. That homeowner preferred Nordic Seal for a lighter, less pink or red result; Natural Seal looked warmer in portions of that home. The account said one coat made a noticeable difference and that two coats would make the whitewash more pronounced.
Nordic Seal was not used in Linauer’s studio project. The two accounts are different floors, applications and preferences, so they do not establish a controlled comparison with the custom stain blend.
| Decision factor | Custom whitewash blend | Commercial white sealer example |
|---|---|---|
| Color control | Allows a small green adjustment based on your red oak sample | Uses the product’s formulated color |
| Pink/red reduction | Reportedly reduced the cast on Linauer’s floor; outcome varies by wood | Reportedly produced a lighter, less pink result in another home |
| Application | Fast hand wiping with a two-person apply-and-wipe workflow | Follow the product’s specified application system |
| Floor labeling | The stain can in this project said it was not intended for floors | Check the current label for flooring use and compatible topcoats |
| Evidence | One homeowner’s project account | One separate homeowner’s comparison and preference |
Floor-finishing cautions that are easy to miss
The National Wood Flooring Association’s 2016 Sand and Finish Guidelines discuss procedures that were not reported in Linauer’s Part 1. If you are considering water-popping, the process raises the grain and may require additional smoothing. Dragging items across a water-popped surface can crush fibers and create uneven color.
The same guidance says that, after bleaching, the wood must dry fully and return to appropriate moisture content before proceeding. These points matter because additional whitening treatments are not interchangeable with the rag-applied stain described here. Do not add water-popping or bleaching to this project plan unless the entire finishing system has been evaluated for your floor.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
Troubleshooting the decisions that matter most
The test looks pink
Do not assume more white paint will solve the problem. Linauer’s solution was a small green adjustment, tested separately before the full application. Make a new sample with a measured change and wait for it to dry.
Best Value
- 2 Inch Angled Paint Brush for Precision Cutting-In – Designed for clean, sharp lines around trim, baseboards, ceilings, corners, and detailed edge work. The perfect size for control and coverage.
- Value 3-Pack for Pros & DIY Projects – Includes three professional 2-inch angled sash brushes — ideal for contractors, remodelers, and homeowners tackling multiple rooms or repeat paint jobs.
- Smooth Results on Walls, Trim & Cabinets – Great for interior wall painting, cabinet edges, furniture projects, and trim work where a smooth finish and crisp control matter most.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
- Works with Latex Paint, Oil-Based Paint & Stains – Premium synthetic filaments hold more paint, reduce streaks, and provide a clean finish with latex paints, oil coatings, and wood stains.
The sample looks perfect at night but dull in daylight
That exact lighting shift occurred in the project account. Rejudge large samples in natural daylight and in the room’s evening lighting before committing.
The finish is uneven between boards
Water-based stain dries quickly, and the author’s two-person process was designed to remove excess promptly. Uneven timing between application and wiping can leave different amounts of color. Keep the handoff immediate and consistent across each section.
You want a more opaque white
The reported result was subtle, with the grain still visible. More pigment or additional coats may create a different system and must be tested with the intended topcoat; do not assume the Part 1 proportions will produce an opaque painted appearance.
How to decide whether this method fits your floor
- Choose the custom blend only if you are prepared to test the exact wood, lighting and topcoat combination.
- Use the green adjustment as a response to a demonstrated pink cast, not as an automatic red-oak requirement.
- Plan a two-person, fast-moving application if your stain behaves like the author’s water-based product.
- Keep the stain label warning visible in your project notes and verify current floor-use and compatibility instructions.
- Consider a purpose-marketed white sealer as a separate path, recognizing that the cited preference came from another home.
The useful lesson from this studio floor is not that one recipe guarantees a perfect white oak look. It is that undertone correction, representative testing, lighting checks and disciplined wiping matter more than copying a color name. The stain stage can produce a restrained, clean whitewash, but the finished appearance depends on the whole system and the particular red oak beneath it.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
