Expert: Eileen Cronk - 5/6/2008

Question
QUESTION: I would like to change the tone of a maple cabinet that I have.  Is there a type of a thin, dark glaze that I can just wipe on right over the top of the old finish?  If so what is a good product and what is the prep?  Thanks for your time.

ANSWER: Hello
Nice to hear from you.
You could try one of those colored varnishes or polys.
This has the stain right in the finish.
Only prep would be a light sanding.
Just look in the paint section of your hardware.
Several companies make these.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Is this product you refer to different than a glaze and if so what is the difference and will one perform better over an existing finish than the other?

Answer
Hi again
Good question.
Yes this is different than a glaze.
In my first letter I said a colored varnish or poly.
If I have to use this type of product I always get a colored poly.
This is an oil based product and they are very durable.
So I feel it will preform better.
My first experience using glazes came about at art class...nothing to do with furniture.
My next experience came about painting rooms. Glazes were used to give custom paint jobs.
In both cases the glaze was water based.
If glazes today come in oil based I have no knowledge of them but perhaps they do.
If that is the case I guess we could call a clear base with color a glaze of sorts.
After I went off line last night I was still thinking of your question.
I thought perhaps you might be interested in a different approach to color your maple cabinet.
Here is a link to a product you could try.
http://www.constantines.com/browseproducts/Behlen-Jet-Spray-Lacquers.HTML
This is a colored lacquer.
Its a clear coat with color added.
Once again I don't consider this a glaze but who knows LOL.
It will likely be more compatible with the existing finish.
Is it as durable as a colored poly...no way.
But it sure works great.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen