How to Paint Cabinets With White & Glaze

Initial Preparation

• 1

  Remove all hardware from the cabinet doors using your screwdriver.

• 2

  Place a small strip of masking tape on the back of each door as it is removed. Use a pen to mark on the tape the door's original location, such as upper middle or lower left.

• 3

  Place your cupboard doors in a protected, well-ventilated area in preparation for sanding, cleaning and painting. A portable workbench placed in an open garage provides a convenient platform and workspace.

Surfacing Steps

• 4

  Place a door's external side up on your portable workbench. Complete each step with all of your cupboard doors before proceeding to the next task.

• 5

  Place fine-grit sandpaper on your sanding block and lightly sand the surfaces of the doors. This will allow for better adhesion of the paint and glaze. Prepare a solution of trisodium phosphate, or TSP, in your cleaning bucket according to product directions. Wipe the cabinet doors clean using a rag immersed in the TSP solution. Rinse with clean, warm water. Allow to dry.

• 6

  Open your glaze and paint cans. Mix glaze and paint in an empty paint bucket. For faint glazing, mix three parts glaze to one part paint. For a strong look, mix three parts paint to one part glaze. For a medium appearance, mix glaze and paint one to one.

• 7

  Dip your cloth or sponge into the glazing compound. Work a small area at a time with a straight stroke moving in the direction of the wood grain. Wipe immediately with a damp sponge or cloth.

• 8

  Reapply several times until you achieve the look you want. The small areas of worked surface will dry before you get back to them to apply a successive coats. Allow the totally completed glaze to dry for 8 hours or more before applying sealant. Spray your finished doors with polyurethane acrylic water-based lacquer to seal and protect the surfaces. Allow to dry overnight. Reattach the cupboard doors and replace the hardware.