How to Apply Glaze to Kitchen Cabinets

Glaze is simply thinned-out paint that is used to give a sheer coat of color to wood or other painted surfaces. Glaze is mixed with any color of paint that you like to create a more translucent version of the paint color. The watered-down paint will settle into the crevices and scrollwork on a cabinet door or another piece of woodwork, giving depth of color. Cabinets are common surfaces on which to apply a coat of glaze. A glaze coat will allow the wood grain to show while adding a pop of color to the surface.

Ammonia-based cleaner
Paint
Glaze
Rags

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the wood with ammonia-based cleaner to remove all grease and residue from the surface. Use a cotton swab or the corner of a rag to reach the small crevices in the wood.
- 2
  Examine the paint or wood to make sure the base color of the item you are planning to glaze is in good shape. Add another coat of paint to the object if necessary. A solid base coat will improve the effect of the glaze.
- 3
  Mix 1 part paint with 4 parts glaze. Stir the mixture until it is thoroughly combined. The mixture should be thin and watery.
- 4
  Dip a rag into the glaze mixture. Wipe the mixture onto the wood. Use a separate clean rag to wipe off most of the glaze. Focus on small crevices and detailed scrollwork. Make sure the mixture saturates these areas.
- 5
  Continue wiping on coats of the mixture and wiping away the excess until you achieve a look that you like. Let the glaze dry completely.
- 6
  Apply polyurethane to the object to protect the glaze coating. Spray on the polyurethane or paint it on with a brush. Coat the object with two to three coats of nonyellowing polyurethane.

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