DIY Cabinet Glaze

Rather than buy premade glazes for your cabinets, which can be expensive, there is no reason why you can't make a DIY version at home. The glaze is a mixture of paint and a translucent vehicle to hold it, which can be either a glazing liquid (which you can get at decorator or better paint stores) or an acrylic painting medium (available from art stores). To that, you will add color, either by using acrylic artist's paints you may have at home or commercial tints from a paint store. The trick is to make the glaze translucent. You don't want an opaque glaze or you will simply be painting your cabinets. A translucent glaze adds a funky or antique character, depending on the color you choose.

Things You'll Need

• Glazing liquid, water-based
• Container
• Mixing stick
• Acrylic paint or tints

Instructions

1. Pour a pint of glazing liquid (either acrylic matte medium or decorator's glazing liquid) into the container.

2. Add the acrylic paint or tint. This is your colorant for the glaze. To start, use a pea-sized amount. Cooler colors, like light blue, are good for a funkier look. Warmer colors, like auburn or medium yellow, will create a homier, antiqued finish.

3. Stir the glaze well. Break up the colorant and disperse it completely. Mix until your glaze is uniform.

4. Test the glaze. Dab some on the cabinet. Check the opacity. If it colors without totally blocking the hue of the cabinet, it's a good mixture. If it's too thin, add colorant.

5. Continue adding colorant, testing the glaze periodically, until it's right. If you overdo the colorant, just add more glaze fluid.

References

• "Fifty Ways to Paint a Wall"; Gail E. McCauley; 2005
• "Recipes for Surfaces"; Drucker and Finkelstein; 1993