The Advantages of Putting Wood Glaze on a Painted Desk

Time

• Glazing a desk has the advantage of saving time, especially when attempting to achieve a distressed or antiqued look. It minimizes the need for sanding off any old paint. Instead, give the desk a face lift by glazing over the existing paint. Alternatively, prime the piece over the existing paint, and glaze over the primer. Either way, it freshens the look of the desk without a huge time investment.

Cost

• Glazing a desk instead of doing a complete refinish has a cost advantage. Instead of the cost of the additional supplies and tools like sanders, strippers and new paint, you are limited to the cost of the glaze and application tools. Glaze is easily applied with rags or cheap sponge rollers, and it is water-based for quick drying, so clean up is a breeze.

Style

• If a creative finish is what you want, glazing offers a host of techniques that are more difficult when attempted with paint. These include antiquing, distressing, cissing, color-rubbing and color-washing. All these faux finishes are achieved by layering glaze and playing with different tools, or mixing glaze and paint together for a milky effect.

Ease of Use

• Unlike more rigid paint, glaze is very forgiving. What started out looking like a mistake can become a new texture or pattern. This flexibility makes glazes perfect for experimentation on any surface, including that battered or second-hand desk. Even undamaged desks can benefit from an impromptu glaze makeover.