How to Apply Glaze to Wood Furniture

Glazing furniture involves applying any colorant between coats of finish. It can be used to alter the color of furniture, to give the appearance of age, to mimic the appearance of more heavily-grained woods and to add character and depth to a wood surface. Read these steps to learn the basic techniques to apply glaze to wood furniture.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sandpaper or steel wool
• Oil- or water-based glaze
• Brush, rag or spray gun
• Rag
• Finish for sealing the glaze

1. Apply at least one layer of finish on the surface of wood to be glazed. This can be as thin as a layer of wash coat.

2. Scuff the finished surface of the wood lightly if necessary to create scratches for the glaze to settle in. You can use either sandpaper or steel wool to scuff. For water-based finishes, use only sandpaper to avoid rust stains from steel wool.

3. Select your glaze. Use water-based glazes with water-based finishes, and oil-based glazes with solvent-based finishes. Oil-based glazes take longer to dry and are easier to use for glazing, but they have a strong smell.

4. Use a brush, rag or spray gun to apply glaze to the wood surface. Apply the glaze liberally wherever you want to add color to the wood.

5. Wipe off the glaze once it begins to look dull. Don't wait until it dries completely because it will be too hard to remove. If it does become hard to wipe, add some solvent to your rag.

6. Create the appearance of age on your wood surface by wiping the glaze off raised or flat surfaces but allowing it to remain in crevices, under overhangs, along edges and anywhere dust would naturally settle. This is also a good way to accentuate detailed areas like carvings. Create faux grain on your furniture with specially designed graining tools, which you drag or pad on the wood surface.

7. Seal the glaze to complete the finishing process. Apply at least one layer of finish over the glaze to protect it from rubbing off.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use any thick, pigment-based colorant as a glaze, including old wiping stain that has separated from its solvent. Pour off the liquid from the pigment before you use it.
• Apply as many layers of glaze as you need to get the look you want, but always wipe off the excess in between coats.
• Wear gloves, safety glasses and respiratory protection when applying solvent-based glazes and finishes. Apply finishes in well-ventilated areas and follow all precautions and warnings associated with the finish you're using.
• Consult manufacturer's labels and local codes for proper disposal of solvent-based finishes.

Resources

• Advice on How to Apply Glaze to Wood Furniture on WoodWeb.com