How to Faux Stain White Painted Cabinets

Add a faux stain to white cabinets to enhance molding and other architectural elements. The stain is often a chocolate brown, commonly referred to as dark umber. When applied, the stain sits in the crevices of the cabinets and is wiped off the surface. The paint finish is often used to distress and age cabinetry. Still, some modern and contemporary homes also use the finish to soften cabinet paint colors. Practice the faux finish technique on a small piece of wood molding or trim before applying stain directly to your cabinets.

Warm water
Dish soap
Rag
All-purpose cleaner
Scrub brush
Sandpaper
Clean towel
Dark brown acrylic paint
Translucent glaze
Chip brush
Terry towel
Polyurethane

Instructions

- 1
  Clean the cabinets with warm soapy water and a rag. Remove any hard-to-remove stains or spots with an all-purpose cleaner and scrub brush. Sand all areas to be painted with fine-to-medium-grit sandpaper. Wipe away all dust created by sanding with a clean towel.
- 2
  Stir together 1 part dark brown acrylic paint and 3 parts glaze. Use less glaze for a darker stain color. Brush the glaze mixture onto each cabinet piece using a chip brush. Blot with a terry towel to remove most of the stain from the surface of the cabinet. Allow the glaze to dry.
- 3
  Brush on two coats of clear polyurethane finish over the cabinets. Allow the final finish to dry several days. Do not clean the cabinets for 30 days while the glaze and polyurethane cure.

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