Glazing Kitchen Cabinets Your DIY Guide

If you plan to integrate a classic look or character to your installed and painted kitchen cabinets, or you desire to make your stained wood cabinets darker, giving them an antique and old appearance with the help of colorant then glazing methods is quite easy. Read on to learn about the proven steps in glazing kitchen cabinets.

Materials

It is not necessary to remove the doors and the hinges of your cabinets. This is specifically advantageous if small glaze of shine over the hinges is up to your standard.

Also, make sure to research techniques on staining kitchen cabinets before starting your project.

You should buy:
* Brushes
* Glaze (can be water or oil based)
* Colorant, stain or paint
* Many lint-free rags
* Paint thinner

Steps to Take

1. If you want to darken your light colored wood stained cabinetry, its best to use oil-based glaze. The glaze is a clear substance in which you combine color. It gives a lucid look and stays wet until you achieve your desired effect.

2. Combine oil stain in your selected color to the glaze. Test different mixes and initially apply your chosen mixture to the inside of scrap cabinet doors or wood to distinguish the look that you are aiming for in glazing your kitchen cabinets. The apply and wipe approach with the natural grain of wood will give you the best results.

3. Remove all the pulls and knobs of the cabinet. You should also take the drawers out since you can glaze them easily when they are positioned along your countertops or when they are strategically lined up. Apply denatured alcohol to the wood to clean them.

4. In adequate amounts, apply the glaze with the use of natural bristle brush. Then, use the lint-free rags to wipe the glaze off efficiently until you achieve your preferred look. Ensure that you focus on one section at a time. Take a break, stand back from time to time and make sure that your glazing is consistent.

Tips and Tricks

* Go for colorants or paints that are darker than the current color of your kitchen cabinets.
* The oil based glaze is different from acrylic glaze, which dries out clear and is milky in nature. The latter also darkens when it dries out.
* Messing up a section in your glazing project should not affect you. The good news is that you can start again by using a rag to wipe the fresh glaze with hot water.
* Wiping off any excess glaze when glazing kitchen cabinets will push the remainder in edges and corners of the cabinet frames and will result to hand-rubbed look.
* Keep in mind that you are not trying to achieve perfect uniformity, but a naturally aged and charming cabinet look.