How to Glaze Antique Vinyl Cabinets
Vinyl cabinets (typically wood cabinets laminated with vinyl) can be painted, glazed and even stained as long as you prepare them correctly and use the right products. Achieve a distressed, antique look for vintage charm with oil-based glaze or gel stain. While deep brown is the most common color for getting an antique effect, you can have glaze mixed in any color you want to perfectly complement your decor. Complete the effect with retro cabinet knobs or handles and you can transform the appearance of the room. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Bucket
- Work bench
- Sandpaper or sanding sponge
- Rags
- Brush
- Gel stain
- Glaze
Instructions
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1
Remove the doors by unscrewing the hinges and take the drawers out. Remove door knobs or pulls, and save all the hardware in a bucket. Set up a work bench somewhere warm and dry (boards laid across sawhorses work well) so you can work on the doors and drawers.
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2
Scrub the vinyl cabinets with detergent and warm water to remove grease and grime. Stain or glaze won't adhere well if the surface is not perfectly clean. Once dry, sand all surfaces with 180-grit sandpaper or a sanding sponge.
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3
Choose a color that complements both the vinyl cabinets and your decor. Keep in mind that glaze or gel stain is transparent and will allow the underlying color of the vinyl to show through, so test colors, especially if your cabinets are not white or off-white.
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Apply the glazing medium (oil-based glaze or gel stain) with a clean rag or natural bristle brush. Practice your technique on the inside of a cabinet door, so any mistakes won't be very apparent in the finished job. Allow the medium to set up for three to 10 minutes or as indicated by the label directions, and wipe off the excess with a clean, dry rag. Allowing the color to settle in corners and grooves accentuates the antique, well-worn effect. Allow it to dry for eight to 10 hours.
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Apply a second coat if you want deeper color. The second coat does not have to be the same color---it can be a shade darker or lighter to give more depth to the effect.
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Seal the glazed cabinets with at least two coats of satin or semi-gloss oil-based varnish or polyurethane. Allow them to dry for at least a day before re-installing the doors and replacing the hardware.
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Tips & Warnings
Unlike penetrating stains, gel stains can be applied to almost any surface, including vinyl. They can be used as a glaze for antiquing and other faux effects.
You may make this easier by leaving the doors in place, but the final effect won't be as neat and you risk gumming up hinges with glaze or varnish.
There is no need to glaze the interior of the cabinets. Most professionals will do the drawer fronts, both sides of the doors and the cabinet boxes but will leave the inside alone.
Consider doing a two-tone effect by using different color glazes for the top and bottom cabinets, or different colors on the doors and boxes.
Water-based glaze and varnish will be easier to use than oil-based products, but won't be as durable and is more likely to chip off or wear down with repeated washing.
Open windows and use fans for ventilation and to dissipate the strong fumes from glaze and varnish.
