How to Glaze Furniture That Has Been Silver Leafed

Dampen a clean rag with a bit of water and wipe the surface of the silver-leafed item, removing dirt or dust. Place the item on a drop cloth and allow any moisture to completely dry.

Apply a thin coat of clear varnish. If applying a brush-on varnish, use a brush appropriately sized to the piece. Spray-on varnish is another option that does not require brushing. Whichever type of varnish you use, apply a thin coat and allow it to dry completely. This can be anywhere from 30 minutes to overnight, depending on the thickness of the coat and the manufacturer's directions.

Dip a paintbrush or rag into the antiquing glaze. Brush or wipe a bit of glaze in an inconspicuous place over the silver-leafed item. If the glaze looks too thick or dark for your taste, thin it with a bit of water so it will go on more lightly.

Apply glaze to the entire piece with a brush or rag once you've found the glaze consistency you prefer.

Wipe off excess glaze with a clean rag. Use a light hand to remove less glaze or apply more pressure to remove more glaze, depending on the amount of antiquing you prefer. Allow an adequate amount of glaze to settle into carvings, cracks and crevices. This helps bring out the beauty of these details. Allow to dry completely.