One of my favorite finishes.

So you sold the farm and bought some of our products and you are starting to think about how to finish these lovely pieces with your mantel, range hood or cabinetry. Of course you can always stain or paint. In this case, the only issue is what color and what sheen. But if you are after a more dramatic look for your millwork, consider a glaze.

You may have had the opportunity to see glazed finishes either in a magazine or in the “flesh”. A glaze will add an additional step in the finishing process but the difference can be quite spectacular. With a glaze finish, a dark stain or “glaze” is brushed on after the paint or stain and then rubbed off to leave the glazing oil embedded in the grooves, cracks and crevices. The finish caused the pieces to “pop” out – to look more three dimensional. A glaze is particularly suitable for hand carvings. All the detail of the carvings provides lots of space for the glazing compound to attach to.

For an example of a glaze applied over a stain click here. I suspect this finish was applied by a professional. But in my humble opinion similar results can be had with a little training and patience. Jeff Jewitt's has a book out on finishes which I gladly endorse - Great Wood Finishes. I believe most can follow his methods without resorting to expensive equipment and years of experience in finishing.

Glazes can also be applied over paint. There is a great example of glazing over paint here with instructions for achieving the finish but try to not to be intimidated. This forum is for professionals. Similar results can be achieved by the do-it-yourselfer I am certain. I’m not what you would call a professional finisher and I have been very pleased with my finishes. I am a full time woodworker, furniture maker and wood turner and can tell you without a doubt that glazed finishes are really fine.