How to Antique White Kitchen Cabinets

Cabinets can be a real bear to refinish or paint. ..I have discovered my preparation time is more important than the actual painting and antiquing.
I will show you what I have done to get the best results.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Sandpaper, 120 grit and up
• Water based, Latex satin paint. I use Sherwin & Williams Pro Classic
• Good, small 2-3 inch paint brushes
• 1 Quart clear paint glaze
• Dark umber or Burnt Sienna or black craft paint.
• Clean rags
• Bucket for water

1. If your cabinets need to be painted, trying to make old paint look good by just antiquing them will not work well. now is the time. Make sure that your cabinets are actually painted. Some look-a-like painted cabinets are a baked on finish that is not paint.
   
   If you can't or don't want to re-paint, clean them thoroughly with TSP to get all the grease and grime off.
   If you are trying to do a simple antique look, disregard the following statement:
   
   Take the doors off the cabinets. Take all the hardware off. I bag and tag all my hardware making notes which door goes to which cabinet. I also place a small piece of tape on the door and number them according to position. You want to use the same hinges on each door.

2. If you need to paint your cabinets first, make sure that you clean and fine sand the cabinets before your first coat of paint. The sanding makes your surface have the ability to hold your paint. I paint cabinets with a water based latex enamel satin paint. Minimum of two coats.
   
   You will notice that I specified different colors on the material list.
   You will want to decide what color you want your antiquing to be. I have used all sorts of colors for this process. If your trying to get a typical brownish look, then use burnt umber. I use acrylic craft paint.
   
   Mix your brown color into your quart of glaze. Glaze is slightly milky but will dry clear. The more color you mix in the darker the glaze will be.

3. 
   Old Oak Cabinets Painted and Antiqued

   I use a small roller brush to roll the colored glaze on the entire cabinet door. Use a small brush to apply it into any tight spots or corners. I glaze one door at a time. Your open working time is approximately 15 minutes, give or take. Don't dawdle...
   
   As quickly as you get the colored glaze on, you need to start taking it off with a damp, clean rag. The more you wipe, the more glaze will come off. I rub in the direction of the grain of wood. Variations of color will be very typical.

4. 
   Chocolate Antiqued Cabinetry

   There is a fine line between leaving too much glaze on and taking too much off. On pure white cabinets, it's a little more difficult.
   
   Your best bet is to practice on the inside of a lower cabinet. It doesn't take a pro to do this, just don't get to finicky.
   
   You can do the exact opposite also. I sanded these white cabinets a bit and then painted them chocolate brown. While the paint was still wet, I carefully wiped the wet chocolate paint off in a few places. Just think of where fingertips would have been over the last hundred or so years.
   
   Have a great time experimenting.
   You can also visit my E-How article on antiquing painted furniture for more information.
   http://www.ehow.com/how_4908005_antique-newly-painted-furniture.html
   
   
   SK Sartell

Tips & Warnings

• Relax and have some fun. If you don't like it wash it off before it hardens.

[mrsmore]

on 7/5/2009 I love antique look. 5* & rec.

[sksartell]

on 4/25/2009 Thanks everyone,Now that I am a novice again, and have articles being rejected. I'm a bit confused...I am hoping the ONES in the KNOW will take care of their issues. Thanks for your kinds words of encouragement..sk

[xtraordinary]

on 4/25/2009 Very thorough and well-written article! 5 stars~

[roseanne09]

on 4/21/2009 Great article on how to antique white kitchen cabinets!! 5Stars

[dazedaze]

on 4/18/2009 awesome ive always liked antique cabinest