[header] How to whitewash furniture [title] Place the furniture over a drop cloth. [step] You can use newspapers instead, or any other material to catch the drips. [title] Remove old sealant with a chemical stripper (optional). 
[step] If the wood is covered with a sealant, using a chemical stripper gets rid of it much quicker than sandpaper : [substeps] Warning: chemical strippers are extremely caustic. Use only in ventilated areas and cover your skin, eyes, and mouth (with a respirator).