How to Add Starch to Paint to Make a Glaze

Paint thinned with starch makes an effective glaze.

Glazing can produce a number of interesting effects on furniture, cabinets and other painted surfaces in your home. A dark glaze will give you an antiqued look, while a lighter gray glaze will produce a shabby chic, weathered appearance. You can also give painted furniture or cabinets a sense of depth and dimension by applying a glaze in the same color but a shade or two darker than the existing paint.

Things You'll Need

• Water-based paint
• Liquid starch
• Painter's bucket
• Mixing stick
• Two rags

Instructions

1. Prepare the item to be glazed. If you plan to glaze your cabinet doors, remove them to a flat work surface. Remove all hardware. Wash the item with warm water and mild soap to remove any dirt or grease and dry thoroughly. If you have just painted the item, be sure the paint is completely dry before glazing.

2. Decide how dark your glaze should be. A dark glaze will allow hints of the underlying color to show through. A medium glaze will give a good balance between the underlying color and the glaze color. A light glaze will give just a hint of shading and texture to the underlying paint color.

3. Mix the paint and starch in a painter's bucket. For a very dark glaze, pour three parts paint and one part starch into the painter's bucket. To mix a medium glaze, add equal parts paint and starch. For a very light glaze combine one part paint to three parts starch. Use a mixing stick to stir the paint and starch thoroughly. Add more paint or glaze to adjust the darkness and viscosity of the glaze to suit your project.

4. Test your glaze on a hidden part of the item. Dip a corner of one rag into the glaze. Rub a small amount of glaze onto the item. Pay special attention to grooves and insets in the wood. Apply the glaze a bit more heavily in those areas to darken them. Use a second rag to wipe away any excess glaze. Adjust your glaze mixture if needed before applying it to the rest of your item.

Tips & Warnings

• Always work with paint in a well-ventilated area.

References

• "The Art of Faux: The Complete Sourcebook of Decorative Painted Finishes;" Pierre Finkelstein; 1997
• Ask the Decorator: Give Cabinets Character with a Coat of Glaze
• "Annie Sloan's Painted Kitchen: Paint Effect Transformations for Walls, Cupboards, and Furniture;" Annie Sloan; 2004