How to Woodwash Kitchen and Bathroom Cabinets

Choose Colors That Match or Blend Well

• 1

  Choose your two paint colors carefully. To woodwash your cabinets, you will need both a base coat and a glaze (top) coat. Consider using oil-based latex for more durability and slower drying time. The top glaze will create a cloudy effect, reflecting off of the base coat, so choose colors that blend well. If you are a beginner to faux finishing techniques, you might consider base coat colors like eggshell, white, stone or other light shades tinted slightly in your glaze coat or a coordinating color. Experiment with color combinations by painting large sample squares on poster board. See the Tips section, for suggestions on color combinations.

• 2

  Prepare your kitchen or bathroom cabinets as you would for any painting project. Lightly sand away any chipped, bubbled or peeling paint on painted cabinets to ensure a smooth working surface. Use carpenters wood filler to fill any dents or very rough areas. Sweep or vacuum away all dust and debris and remove any grease or grime from surfaces. Let dry. Remove household objects from cabinets, nearby counters and flooring. If the cabinets are very dark, coat them with primer or purchase enough base coat to apply two coats.

• 3

  If you prefer to work elsewhere, remove your cabinet doors and transfer to them to your work area or prepare the project area by removing and/or shielding your knobs or other fixtures, walls and flooring. Protect large surfaces and cabinet interiors with painter's plastic sheeting and/or newspaper. Apply strips of masking tape along all cabinet edging and over fixtures to protect them from paint.

• 4

  Using a narrow paintbrush, apply your base coat color over the cabinet door facings and other areas, as desired. Paint using long, even strokes, until the surface is completely covered. Let dry. Apply a second coat if necessary.

• 5

  While the base coat is drying, mix your glaze coat. Use your own glazing recipe or try mixing the selected top coat color with equal portions of glazing medium, adding glaze to the paint color about a cup at a time, mixing well, until the desired effect is achieved. Adjust as needed, adding glazing medium for more opaqueness and paint for color depth. Test glaze on a sample square of base coat on poster board and evaluate it for desired consistency and color. When you are completely satisfied, mix enough to complete your project.

• 6

  When the base coat is completely dry, begin painting the glaze coat, using two brushes and working one area, or one cabinet face, at a time. Apply the glaze randomly, brushing in different directions as it appeals to you. Using a second soft glazing brush, smooth the applied glaze strokes and soften the effects as desired. If the glaze seems too thick or heavy, use a damp sponge to wipe away the excess. Continue applying your glaze coat, working one area at a time, until all your cabinet surfaces are covered.

• 7

  For more color and depth, apply a second layer of glaze coat, if desired. Let your woodwashed cabinets dry completely. To better protect your finish, and for more durability, apply one or more coats of clear gloss or matte polyurethane varnish.