Primitive Cabinet Wax Painting Techniques

Waxing to Reveal Natural or Stained Wood

• You may decide that when you rub away your top paint color, you want hints of the underlying wood to show through. The wood can be left natural and unfinished or you may let hints of already stained and varnished wood show through. Apply the wax to select areas of the wood, paint the cabinets, then buff the paint away from the waxed areas.

Hints of Painted Color

• Choose a base paint color, coat areas of it with wax, and then apply the top coat in a different color. When you rub away the top coat, hints of the underlying color will show through. For a primitive look, choose softer hues that complement your decor. Some companies sell milk paint in shades that were often used 100 or more years ago. These include soft green and blue, muted tan and buttery yellow. For an authentic look, use creamy white instead of bright white for your top color. Old-fashioned paint was never available in pure white because the linseed oil used in the formula gave it a creamy yellow shade.

Applying the Wax

• For a primitive look, apply wax to the areas that would naturally be worn on your cabinets. Typically these will be around the cabinet handles or drawer pulls, along the edges of doors and drawers and along the edges of raised molding or on corners. Use wax sparingly if the top color and the underlying hints of color will be very noticeably different; otherwise you could end up with a somewhat garish look. There is no need to purchase special wax--any candle will work just fine unless you want colored wax, available in craft stores.

Sanding and Buffing

• Don't use 120-grit or heavier sandpaper to buff the paint away from the wax. While it's a little quicker, you risk scratching the fresh paint and revealing too much of the underlying surface. For a primitive, aged look you want your cabinets to look naturally worn. Use 220-grit or finer sandpaper, or fine steel or copper wool.

Finishing Touches

• If you use high-quality paint, there's no need to apply a clear protective coating to the cabinets. However, a slightly tinted glaze can mellow the color and lend an antiqued look. Mix a little umber colorant with clear glaze, and apply one or two coats to the cabinets.

  Don't forget hinges and cabinet hardware. Your cabinets won't look authentically primitive if you use bright brass or chrome hardware. Look for aged brass, wrought iron, ceramic or other old-fashioned type hardware to give your cabinets an authentic look.