Expert: Eileen Cronk - 8/25/2009

Question
My question is why is is absolutely necessary to strip off the old stain from the cabinets prior to applying antique oil based glaze (with stain added) if it is OK to apply the glaze over painted white cabinets?? My cabinets are in good condition...other than the whitewash. Way too expensive to replace.

Answer
Hi Mary
Love your subject LOL.
In this particular case its not necessary to strip off the old finish.
Do I have this correct?...you have whitewashed cabinets that you want to apply an oil based glaze to. No problem.
Lightly sand and apply your glaze.
But for goodness sakes do a test first to see what its going to look like. The back of a door is a good test area if its finished like the front.
I think the confusion comes from folks thinking applying glaze is staining the wood. Its not the same at all. Stain is applied to bare wood. A glaze is the final finishing step.
Good Luck
Eileen