Painting Cabinets Faux Finish

Remove all of the hardware from your cabinets, such as drawer pulls and doorknobs. Set them aside in a safe place.

Apply a strip of tape to the walls around the cabinets. Use a drop cloth to keep paint spatters off the counters and floor.

Use a damp rag to wipe the cabinets free of dust and dirt. Run your hand over the surface of the cabinet to feel if it is very glossy. Dull a shiny surface with sandpaper to help the primer adhere. Wipe the cabinets off with a tack cloth or damp rag.

Roll on primer with a foam roller, using a brush to paint the edges and corners. Let the primer dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.

Select a base color that is slightly lighter than your desired final cabinet color. Apply two coats of paint. Allow the paint to dry between coats.

Mix an antiquing glaze with a water-based glazing medium and raw umber tint. Add the tint slowly, testing the color frequently by painting it on the cabinet. A darker glaze will produce a more dramatic look of age. After testing, wipe the glaze off of the cabinet with a damp rag.

Apply the glaze to the cabinets with a soft brush, working on a single section at a time. Dab the surface with a bunched-up rag to disperse the glaze. Soften the rag patterns by going over them with the rag a few times if you prefer a more subtle texture.

Allow the glaze to cure completely. Replace the hardware after 24 hours, but wait 48 hours before using the cabinet.