How to chalk paint and glaze old cabinets under $200 - Part 3 - Glazing

Glazing cost less than $70.00!

Glaze Materials:

KRUD KUTTER PC326 PC32 Prepaint Cleaner/TSP Substitute - $20.00

Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scour Pads - $5.00

General Finishes Water Based Glaze Effect in Van Dyke Brown - $32.00 qt

Chip Paint Brushes - $10.00 

Rubber Gloves

Lint Free Rags (you can use pieces of old t-shirt)

Plastic Container (I used an empty Swiffer Wet container)

After prepping and and chalk painting my cabinet doors, drawers and frames, I waited about two weeks before glazing. I wanted to make sure the paint was adequately set and to get a feel for the change in color. To be honest, we loved the color before I added the glaze. The way the room brightened up was amazing. The color reminded me of my great-grandmother's kitchen from the 1920s. Which was an unexpected bonus considering so many features in our home are from that era.

I finally decided to go ahead with the glazing. I thought it would give the kitchen a more weathered look to complement the butler's pantry and the new bar.

I had saved the doors from the cabinets we removed so I had a canvas on which to practice. I read countless blogs and watched dozens of YouTube videos on technique before I felt I was ready for a test run.

I tried about three different methods and finally settled on the one I describe below. 

1. Wipe the cabinets with glaze using a lint free cloth. Work with one area at a time if using water based glaze as it dries quickly.

2. Using this method, brush the glaze with chippy brushes - Use a different brush for each step:

    - Diagonal in one direction

    - Diagonal in the opposite direction

    - Against the grain

    - With the grain

3. With a damp cloth or paper towel rub off some of the applied glaze.

4. Using a dry cloth or paper towel, wipe the glaze again.

5. Using a small brush, such as a watercolor brush, fill in the details

 

6. Using a clean chippy brush, feather the detail glaze

7. Using a clean damp cloth, wipe around the details to remove brush marks

If you make a mistake, your glaze dries and it's too dark or you need to remove brush marks or runs, you can do so by spraying  a little of the KRUD KUTTER PC326 PC32 Prepaint Cleaner/TSP Substitute on a Scotch-Brite Heavy Duty Scour Pad and wiping the area.

I have a YouTube video of this process you can watch here.

In the first part of the video, I skip step 2. If you want a darker look, you can skip or modify step 3 based on your preference.

Water based glaze dries very fast and it was safe to touch without smudging in 30 minutes.

I am so glad I decided to put the finishing touch on my cabinets and go with glazing!