How to Paint Cream Kitchen Cabinets With a Glaze

Glazing kitchen cabinets adds depth and definition to cabinetry drawers and doors. The glaze will settle in the cracks and grooves of the cabinetry's molding. Black, burnt umber and even copper glazes are often used to antique the wood cabinetry. Glazed cabinets are often seen in French country, traditional and old world interior design styles. A professional glaze finish can be quite expensive when hiring a professional painter or artisan. Though not a simple project, homeowners can glaze their own cabinets and achieve professional looking results.

Things You'll Need

• Screwdriver
• Plastic bag
• Clean sponge
• Soft towel
• Drop cloths
• Plastic sheeting
• Medium-grit sanding sponge
• Rags
• Latex gloves
• Latex paint
• Mini roller
• Paint brush
• Glaze
• Water-based polyurethane

Instructions

Preparation

1. Remove all hardware such as doorknobs and pulls. Use a screwdriver to remove the pieces. Place the hardware and screws into a plastic bag to avoid misplacing any pieces.

2. Wash all the cabinetry using warm soapy water and a clean sponge. Remove all grease, cooking residue and stains. Dry with a soft towel.

3. Prepare a paint area---a garage or basement will work well. Spread drop clothes on the floor. Cover the area with plastic sheeting. Lay the sheeting as flat as possible.

4. Take off all doors from the base of the cabinetry with a screwdriver. Pull out all drawers. Place all items in the paint area.

5. Lightly scuff all cabinetry pieces using a fine-grit sanding sponge. Sand in the direction of the wood grain if painting stained cabinets; if sanding painted cabinetry, it is important to still sand in one direction versus a circular motion. Remember to sand the entire surface, including the edges of drawers and doors as well as the base cabinetry. Wipe all surfaces with a clean damp sponge to remove any sanding dust; the dust can cause the topcoat to not adhere to the cabinetry surface. Skip the "painting" step, and move to the "glazing" step if cabinets are already base coated a cream color.

Painting

1. Lay the cabinet doors all one direction and the drawers facing up. Put on latex gloves.

2. Apply latex paint in a satin or glossy finish. Use a foam mini roller or paint brush to lightly brush on the paint. Paint in one direction giving an even coating to all cabinetry pieces.

3. Add a second coat if necessary. Allow to dry 24 hours between coats. Flip the doors over, and repeat the process on the other side. Let all painted pieces dry 24 to 48 hours before proceeding to the glazing step.

Glazing

1. Mix together paint and glaze using a 1:4 ration; about a qt. of glaze mixture is needed for the cabinets. Use black or dark umber latex glaze. Place the glaze in a clean plastic bucket.

2. Add a small paint grid to the glaze mixture bucket. Dip a mini roller into the glaze mixture, and roll over the entire painted surface; glaze and finish one door or cabinet at a time. Remember the backs of doors will not have any grooves and will not need to be glazed. Cover the entire surface. Use an old chip brush to get glaze mixture into all crevices. This step does not need to look neat.

3. Immediately take a clean paint rag and wipe off the stain mixture in most areas, leaving some of the mixture in the corners and crevices. Allow slight stain or streak of the glaze to remain on the smooth surfaces. Move onto the next door or cabinet; don't forget to glaze the base cabinetry. Set aside to dry for 48 hours.

Topcoat and Finishing Steps

1. Add a topcoat of clear, water-based polyurethane. Brush or roll on the sealer to all cabinetry.

2. Allow to dry 24 hours, and add a second layer for protection.

3. Add doors and drawers back into place. Place all hardware back onto the cabinetry.

Tips & Warnings

• Always make a sample first to experiment with base color and glaze. Use a piece of molding or trim purchased from a local hardware store or lumber yard.

References

• "Professional faux finishes made easy;" Patrick Daly; 2005.