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Glazing Furniture 101

ByGail Wilson Published on Updated on
41 Comments

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A few people have asked me about glazing furniture. I totally understand how it can be confusing. This time last year I had NO idea how to do this. When I first started seeing things pop up on blogs, I fell in love with the look. When I asked how to do it, bloggers were very nice to “try” to explain it. But, I didn’t get it. Most of them talked about Ralph Lauren something (smokey, maybe). I was unable to figure it all out. I have always watched a LOT of HGTV (Decorating Cents) and they were always using umber (burnt and or raw). I had some in my stash, but I didn’t use it when I first started glazing. At first I used wood stain (dark walnut). Because stain cleans up with mineral spirits and not water, I tired of trying to get it off my hands. My next phase was applying the diluted burnt umber with a paper towel, sort of putting it on and wiping it off all at the same time. That was pretty messy too. Although I think that technique works well for large pieces of furniture.
Fast forward to this summer. I have glazed several items lately and I really like the following technique best. If you ask 10 bloggers, you’ll probably get 10 different recommendations. I think that is why I was so confused when I first started doing this glazing thing! No one way is right or wrong. It’s totally a personal preference.
If you’ve wondered how to glaze, I hope this little demo helps. If you are a whiz at glazing and you have something to add, please leave your suggestion in a comment and I will include it in my Saturday feature “Recent comments & questions”. If something is unclear, please ask below in a comment and I will try to help clarify it in Saturday’s feature.
Now, on with the show!
summer 20105
Supplies to gather:

  1. Project piece
  2. Primer
  3. Spray Paint
  4. Glaze (I used Burnt Umber)
  5. Brush (I used small foam brush)
  6. Water and something to mix glaze and water in (I used small plastic tray)
  7. Rag (I used paper towel)
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I sprayed my candlestick with primer. I use the cheapo primer from Meijer, it’s a little over a dollar a can. Let dry.
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I typically use Rustoleum Heirloom White, however I use it so often that I didn’t have any for this project. I do recommend satin finish over semi-gloss or gloss. In my opinion, the glaze does not adhere to the slicker finishes.
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I spray painted the candlestick with the satin spray paint. Let dry.
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When I spray paint, I like to spray paint both right-side up and upside down. It helps to get in the crevices. If you paint something, turn it upside down and you will see small places that were missed.
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I bought this at Walmart for  less than $1.00. It has lasted forever because I only use a dollop.
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It’s hard to see, but I already had some water in this little tray when I added the dollop of Burnt Umber.
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Can you see how little water there is? It is very shallow.
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I mix the paint with the water so that it is thinned.
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I start brushing on the diluted paint. I let it set for 30-45 seconds.
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I work in small areas so the paint doesn’t dry too much. I don’t think enough of the glaze “took” on the bottom section . . .
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. . . so I added some more.
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I wiped it a little, let it set . . .
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Then wiped a little more off. At this point you can stop (as I did) or you can go over it again if you want more detail.
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Here it is in the place of honor on my mantel. With one of the 5 candles I own!
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Here it is close up next to my finial. You can see how different they look. I used the same technique on both. However the finial did have Heirloom White, and the glaze was a little thicker.
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Another picture strictly for a comparison of the different shades you can get with the same products. Oh, and ps I like that black cherry candle a lot better than the vanilla candle. I only have a short black cherry candle, and it is much too short for the newer/taller candlestick.
gail

Gail Wilson is the author and mastermind behind My Repurposed Life. She is obsessed with finding potential in unexpected places and believes that with a little hard work and imagination, any old thing can be made useful again, including herself!
Gail reinvented herself during a midlife crisis and has found purpose again. She hopes you will find new ideas for old things and pick up a few tools along the way.

41 Comments

  1. Wonderful! Thank you so much for this. Now I’ll know exactly what to look for when I go to the craft store. Thanks again.
    Kim

    Reply

  2. Wow, what a great explanation – thank you! Because of blogs like yours I have recently started doing some refinishing and antiquing. I have been using a gel stain with polyurethane already added, but this seems like it would be easier and much less messy. You do beautiful work and I love following your blog.

    Reply

  3. great tutorial. i have done this on small items (ie. birds) but had recently bought a half gal. of actual glazing (which was over $10!!!) to do a table i am working on now. i was afraid to takle such a bigger piece with that ‘craft paint’ type of glazing but i now wonder if i could have saved some money. boo. lollove your blog!Amy W.

    Reply

    1. So glad I happened upon your site! I have learned so much! Thanks for sharing a simple way to glaze! Now I’m looking around the house for something to glaze!

  12. You did it again! I can now glaze, I’m sure of it. I like the way you used the same glaze on the different items but they’re not identical finishes.

    Reply

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