Write an article based on this "Make sure your furniture has already received a base coat. Buy glaze or mix it yourself. Mask your furniture and protect the surrounding area. Gather your tools."
By definition, glazing is done after a piece of wood already has at least one layer of finish on it. If the furniture you want to glaze does not already have a finish, apply one and allow it to dry completely before beginning. See our articles on staining and finishing wood for step-by-step instructions for processes that should take place before any glazing is performed. If your furniture is finished with shellac, don't use glazes containing asphaltum, as they can sometimes be hard to remove. As a very general rule, glazes are simply colored pigments suspended in a clear oil- or water-based medium. There is no single, "definitive" glaze a huge variety of options are available. You can find commercial glaze at most hardware stores and paint shops (Sherwin-Williams, etc.) for reasonably cheap. However, it's not hard to fine-tune your glaze by mixing various commercial projects as well. For instance, to get a gorgeous dark chocolate-colored wood glaze, simply combine: Four parts clear mixing glaze Two parts dark brown or mocha glaze One part dark grey or asphaltum glaze You can also combine clear mixing glaze (sometimes called "glaze base") with ordinary paints to make your own custom shades. Finally, many oil-based paints can be used as glazes when mixed with a little thinner or penetrol. Use masking tape, newspaper, and other masking tools to expose only the part of the wood you would like to glaze. In general, glazes are quite easy to remove compared to paints, stains, and other finishes used for wood. However, you still want to avoid unnecessary cleanup work when possible, so good masking is still important (especially if you're working around non-wood substances that stain easily, like upholstery, etc.) In addition, you'll want to lay a heavy drop cloth beneath your work area to protect against accidental drips and spills. Compared to other wood finishes, applying glaze is usually a low-stress affair. There isn't one "right" way to do it for instance, an experienced woodworker may have her own unique techniques that use unconventional tools. However, for a standard glazing job, the following tools will be very helpful: One application brush (either foam or bristled is fine) One blending brush (soft-bristled; clean and dry) Pan or tray to hold the glaze Paper towels or cotton rags Steel wool (oil-based glazes) Nylon abrasive pad (water-based glazes)