Glazing Furniture 101

UPDATE: I have had a LOT of questions about glazing furniture, so I have added a GLAZING FAQ post to help with those questions! 1/4/2012


To make it easier to glaze, I have put all of my glazing videos below to demonstrate the glazing techniques! If you prefer glazing instructions in print, scroll down past the videos. 1/4/2012











Do you want to learn how to create this look with paint and glaze? If so, here is GLAZING Furniture 101.

I’m going to keep this simple. Simple is good. 🙂

Step 1. Prime the furniture. 99% of the time I do NOT sand it. I usually WANT the nicks and cracks and deformities…I think they add character. I use spray KILZ. Sometimes I do two coats depending on the coverage.
Step 2: I spray paint the furniture. This particular project was sprayed with Krylon Ocean Breeze. I let the furniture dry thoroughly in between coats, and I usually do three coats to make sure it is covered nicely.
Step 3: Buy the glaze. I use Ralph Lauren Faux Technique glaze that has been tinted with black paint. You do NOT need a gallon, a pint is plenty to do multiple projects. You can buy this at Home Depot, but it will NOT be tinted yet. You need to tell them the color to tint it. I then even added more black paint to it when I got home to make it nice and dark.
Step 4: Brush the glaze all over the furniture being careful to get into all the nooks and crannies. I use a brush because it is much easier to get into the intricate parts of the furniture.


Step 4: Using a damp cloth, wipe off the glaze. The glaze will stay in the nooks and crannies and create the look you are going for.

Step 5: OPTIONAL: Repeat steps 3 and 4 to create a darker look with the glaze. I repeated the steps a few times for this chair.
Glazing is so fun and extremely easy. Don’t forget to send us pictures of your projects. We want to see! Send them to allthingsthrifty@gmail.com

If you need tips and tricks, check out our glazing FAQ post. 

Published on March 14, 2010

96 thoughts on “Glazing Furniture 101”

  1. I have recently discovered the joy of glazing things. I just use a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants technique with leftover stain, but it's amazing the difference that little extra step makes! I love Blue Ocean Breeze, too!

    Reply

  2. I love the idea of glazing. I actually have a piece that I am wanting to do. Here is my big questions though… I want to do it (a hutch) black, because I feel like that would go with the rest of my decor better, but I don't want it just straight black. Would a red glaze show up on a black background? Would I have to sand the edges and details then glaze red over it? Have you tried those colors together before? Do you have any other suggestions? I love the hutch that is on here that Brooke did. But My walls are tan and I rent, so would ivory and black be too washed out with tan walls behind it? Any advice would be great!

    Reply

  4. I had a question about the glazing too. I painted a dresser turquoise and wanted to do the same glaze you did with the chair. A lady at home depot told me to mix 1 part of the paint I am using to 4 parts glaze, but doesn't it need the black paint for the distressed look? I thought if I put the turquoise paint in it, it will be the same color. I am just a little confused. Thanks for your help!

    Reply

    1. Yes if you want the vintage look you would want to add black paint to the glaze. Some people glaze with a lighter or darker of the same color they are painting with. That gives it a different look but that’ s not the look you’ re going for.

      Reply

  7. Thanks for the info. I have that same blue paint that I am about to put on an old metal cart with three shelves. Glad to see how it looks on something.

    Reply

  8. I love that you see things for what they could be and not for what they are. I am also a fellow spray painter redoer. I can't wait to see what projects you plan for this summer. Alaina

    Reply

  10. Ok Im not gonna lie… I get ALL my good ideas for bringing furniture back to life from your blog!! I love it! I check your blog often just to see what fun, new project you have completed!! I love the before and after segments the most… if you want check out my FIRST REMODLE (I got all my courage from you!) bblayton.blogspot.com! Thanks for the awesome tips and advice you give so freely!!

    Reply

  11. After you glaze, can you still use the polyacrylic? I want to do some dining chairs and know they will get a lot of wear and tear so I really want them to hold up.

    Reply

  13. Yes, you can still use polyacrylic after glazing. In fact, I would recommend it because it will seal the glaze onto the furniture.

    Reply

  19. Went to home depot… they won't tint the ralph lauren glaze as they said they don't have the ability to tint it black. Ended up buying Behr Glaze and they apparently can't tint that brand, but sold us a can of black paint that we had to mix ourselves… all in all a huge pain! If it works, I'll let you know.

    Reply

    1. Thank you! I behave seen suggestion regarding using minwax varnish and wondered if it was truly as easy.

      Reply

  21. I just did our dining room table and did the glaze. I got it at Lowes and they tinted it black for me, it was Lowe's brand.

    I am not sure that I am 100% with it and I think I messed up 🙁

    I could not get the glaze to stay on after wiping, so I left it sitting longer, but it still wiped off all the way. I made the mistake of not using a new/clean rag on the table top, when wiping the glaze off. Therefore, it looks really messy and you can see wipe marks 🙁

    Reply

    1. I am very disappointed in my projest as well. I think she needs to go into more detail about how to use the glaze. It is NOT a brush on /wipe off process! I also couldn’t get the glaze to stay on, so I left it on for maybe 20 seconds, now it won’t come off. My peice of furniture is ruined. needs to be sanded completely. To the dumpster!!!

      Reply

      1. Before you throw it away or sand it all down, try to wipe off the glaze with a clean cloth drenched in acetone. It has helped me get off glaze if it dried too quickly.

        It can be a little tricky but if you brush it on over a glossy painti and wipe if off with a dry rag, you should be able to manipulate the glaze to stay in the nooks and crannies.

        Feel free to email me at allthingsthriftyassistant@gmail.com I’d be happy to answer any other questions you may have.

        Reply

  24. What a life-saver this post is! I'm about to embark on my first glazing project, and while I wanted to spray paint (I agree with all your points about spray painting be so much easier) I thought I'd have to brush paint it all to get the right glaze effect, but you showed that it can be this easy! Thanks so much!!!

    Reply

  27. I purchased some Valspar tintable glaze, but wanted to know what type of black paint I need to get to tint it (eggshell, satin, etc.)…does it matter?

    Reply

  28. Just went to THD today to snag some of the glaze. The paint person said they are discontinuing it, but there were a few cans left on the shelf. He said word just came down tomorrow, so expect to see it on clearance then it will be gone. They anticipate it will be replaced by a Martha Stewart product at some point in the future. Thought I would pass the info along!

    Reply

  30. Hi, I google glazing and was led to your blog. I love the glazing tutorial. Consider me a new follower. Also, I have a baking blog, if your interested, please stop by and chk it out. Best,
    Jackie

    Reply

  31. I want to glaze my kitchen cabinets. They are maple and have a shiny coat of something on them. I was wondering if I could glaze over them or do I need to sand and paint before? I just want a tint of black on the maple cabinets. Any suggestions???

    Reply

  32. I was looking at your table transformation project where you glazed the table and the chairs were multi colored and I would like to know if you also glazed the blue chairs that were on the end? They seem to have a worn almost rustic look about them and it's exactly what I am going for but haven't got the faintest idea of how to achieve it. Thanks!

    Reply

  33. I'm a big fan of your blog! Thank you for posting easy steps to follow for the glazing process. I'm going to attempt my first glazing project, but I'm wondering if I have to sand it first. It is a stained dresser. I know your instructions say you usually don't sand your furniture first, but I didn't know if the stain would make a difference?

    Reply

  34. I LOVE LOVE LOVE your blog!!!! One of my very favorites…I am on here almost every day!!!

    I have a couple of questions (which were asked of you already, but I dont see any of your responses…=( )

    Will the glaze leave a residual "sheen" on the areas that are wiped off? Can I glaze (with a tint) and then clear glaze everything after that to give it an all over sheen or should I use polycrylic?

    If I want to glaze honey maple colored cabinets, besides cleaning them prior, is there anything I should do to prep them? I shouldnt sand, right? Should I glaze anything else other then the doors themselves?

    Sorry to ask so many questions, but I love your work and thought you might be able to shed some light! Thank you for all you do!!

    ~Tricia

    Reply

  35. I too have the same question as someone above. I want my hutch black, but I am wondering how I would glaze over black with a different color? Would a light blue work to glaze over black or a white? HELP! Thanks.

    Reply

    1. I have read someone’s blog painting furniture black. What she did was in places she felt would look the best she didn’t apply enough paint to actually cover the areas, which allowed for the original wood to show thru. For I am planning on painting some of my furniture black, but I wanted a more elegant look. I hoped what I tried to describe?!

      Reply

  36. I love your site and am ready for my first glazing project. However, I cannot find the RALPH LAUREN BRAND glaze. Any other recommendations?

    Reply

  38. It seems I have the same question as a few others. Does the GLAZE need to be DARKER than the PAINT or can you do a DARK PAINT and a LIGHT GLAZE? I want to do a desk I found on craigslist red, but I don't want to glaze it black. It just won't go with my white bed frame and my yellow walls.

    Reply

    1. Hi Brook,
      I am so in love with everything you put on your website here! Thank you so much!
      This is also an example of something done with white glaze, also my first glazing project. My creative bug was itching and I had a mirror I had not been using in a long time. It was kind of hard to get the glaze off and on this since the edges of the design are very skinny but it was extremely fun to see the final product! Many more glazing projects to come!!!! Thank you for your inspiration.

      https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/p480x480/941757_10153022826070727_99411479_n.jpg

      Reply

  41. Ptaaj, just wait until the paint is completely dry. Drying time will vary based factors like weather and brand of paint used.

    Reply

  42. I am trying to do the antique look to a bunk bed and child rocking chair, I snaded, primed white, and painted flat country white. Friends told me I could use walnut stain instead of glaze.. however, it isn't wiping it off it is leaving a gray ugly "Stain" to it. I scrub to get it off but it takes the paint off… I take it when you use glaze it should come off easily? So this may sound so dumb, but I take it that you have to actually have GLAZE and not STAIN?

    Reply

  43. I always use glaze NOT stain. I would also make sure that your paint doesn't have a "sand papery" texture to it. If it does, you need to sand it before you start glazing it. I use a 220 grit sand paper. You also need to paint your furniture with a gloss sheen paint. If you use a flat sheen paint, the glaze will seep into the paint instead of wipe off easily.

    Reply

  44. I need glazing help! I spray painted a metal wall decoration with Krylon Blue Ocean Gloss (after priming with Kilz) let it dry completely (2 days) and then glazed it with Valspar Antiquing Glaze because Home Depot no longer carries the Ralph Lauren kind. I glazed it last night and when I checked it this morning, the glaze was still wet. Did I do something wrong?

    Reply

  46. I just saw your comment about using a paint with some sheen b/c if it's flat the glaze won't work. what if I've already bought the paint and it's flat? Can I do the polyurethane coat on top of the flat, then do the glaze on top of that? also, I'm looking for a more brown glaze than black. So when I pick up the glaze and have them tint it, I just ask for a brown tint?
    thanks for any help!
    loralee

    Reply

  47. you mentioned that 99% of the time you do not sand, just prime… I'm looking at doing a kitchen table and chairs and want them done in time for Thanksgiving (yikes!) and I'm trying to figure out what I need to be looking at to determine if I sand or just prime first.

    Reply

  49. Brooke! You are amazing! I just did my first-ever antique glazing and I'm in LOOOOOOOOOOOVE!! Soooo fabulous, so stinkin easy, and it looks amazing!!!! Thanks hon!

    Reply

  51. I am nearly finished with the painting part of my dresser. I dont have a glaze though, can I use polyurethane instead?

    Also,
    I love your blog! Thank you so much for all the great ideas!

    Reply

  52. Not sure how I missed finding your glazing videos before today, but thanks! Glazing is the one thing we have not tried, yeah fear, and now after watching your tutorials, I'm fearless!

    ~Bliss~

    Reply

  53. DAMAGE CONTROL NEEDED!! *PLEASE*!!

    So. I painted. Let it sit for 24 hours and then began to glaze and you're right, glazing is SUPER easy. My problem is that the PAINT STARTED PEELING! when I was wiping of the glaze. I was being SUPER gentle with a soft cloth and STILL it was peeling. What's happening?! What do I do?!!

    Reply

  54. Sorry about my last post, no need to post it. You have answered all the questions, I now see it in a FAQ link. Thank you for such great instructions.

    Reply

  56. Hello, So I am using KilZ oil based primer and Krylon spray paint and I went to Home depot and all they had was a water based Behr Faux glaze. They told me that I couldn't use a water based glaze on top of krylon spray paint because it wouldn't stick properly. Is the Ralph lauren glaze you used water based? Any other recommendations? Thanks

    Reply

  58. I wat to reprint a kitchen table, but when I've reprinted things in the past they always get Knicks and scratches in them after only a few days. I've got three boys! Would a table even be worth it or would it just look bad after awhile? I've even put min wax polycrylic over my things to try and protect them.

    Reply

  60. I really appreciate these videos… they helped me gain the courage to try glazing.

    How long does it normally take for the glaze to dry? I glazed a mirror I had painted, and abour 15 hours into the drying there are still areas that are quite damp (mostly the ones that have it the thickest– like the nooks and crannies, and the edges). Is that normal?

    Reply

  61. So Home Depot has in fact discontinued the Ralph Lauren Antiquing Glaze. I inquired about the Martha Stewart glaze but it doesn't even come in a pint size and it's ridiculously overpriced for practically no product. I've read through other people's comments and they're saying they've been using Valspar glaze. Is it Lowe's that carries Valspar products? And does this Valspar glaze actually work? I need a new glaze!

    Reply

  62. I just had to take the time to say thank you…not just for the amazing glazing tutorials, but for the inspiration! When I had kids I felt like I had to give up my crafty side because we didn't have the space for a me to scrapbook or sew anymore, but you've shown new ways to express my creative side again…feels so good to be creating things I'm proud of again 🙂

    Reply

  64. I love the way the glazing looks! Thanks so much for the tutorial!! I have a question though – it might be a silly one – do you usually put any type of clear coat over the furniture once the glaze dries?

    Reply

  65. I did it! My husband brought home these old windows with broken panes and chipping paint. I broke the panes out, scraped, sanded, painted and glazed them. The hard part was cutting mirror to replace the glass, but it looks fabulous! I'm so happy I found your post and your videos made me feel so confident that I could do it.
    Thank you!

    Reply

  69. @Nancy C.

    AH! I'm so sorry this has happened! I wish I had a perfect answer for you. There are a couple things that came to mind though…
    Did you prime first? Did you brush the paint on? And if so, could it have been a latex paint?
    Anyway, these are just a couple reasons this could have happened. Sure hope this helps you a little bit… Good Luck!

    Reply

  70. I have an an beautiful antique dining room table and chairs of my grandmothers that my mother glazed white in the 80's. I like the main color but would like to glaze over the white with a burnt umber. Do I have to sand everything and start from scratch or can just reglaze dark over light? Thanks so much.

    Reply

  72. yours is the best video/blog about glazing hands down! My issue is that i have a deep grape colored gloss-spray-painted dresser i want to add some dimension to– but NOT antique or make darker, maybe metallic.. i tried the bronze MS glaze and it sucked, all of it wiped right OFF! Any hints?

    Reply

    1. It depends on what you are glazing. If it is going to be a high traffic area, then I would apply a poly-acrylic coat. Check out this post to see tips and tricks on when to seal…

      Good luck!

      Reply

    1. I would ask someone at a paint supply store this question. I would assume they have a product that is safe for babies, but I have no experience with this myself. Good luck with your project.

      Reply

  76. Do you still use brand? I looked at HD today and all they’ve got is Behr and some metallic Martha Stewart glaze.

    Reply

  77. What about glazing metal work? We want to spray paint the metal hardware on our dresser white and then distress/antique them with a dark glaze. Will this work the same way?

    Thanks! LOVE all your posts 🙂

    PK

    Reply

      1. Do you use the same glaze on metal that you would on wood or a wall, or is there a specific kind just for metal?

        Reply

  78. Can you use the glaze as a sealer or do you have to put something over your piece after your done glazing to help prevent chipping and scrapes in the paint?? Help

    Reply

  81. I LOVE your website!!! Love how you break down everything into simple steps and even post videos!!! Thank you!

    Reply

  83. Well, I’m a little late to this discussion! An artist friend of mine does a lot of furniture makeovers. She doesn’t like using glaze and a tint. She just gets a cheap little tube of artist oil paint such as burnt umber and mixes it with a tiny bit of mineral spirits. A little goes a long way. Works like a charm for less than $10. I recently glazed a console table by that method.

    Reply

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