Expert: Greg Scholl - 3/29/2010

Question
QUESTION: Hi, just wondering if it is fairly easy to glaze over a finished cabinet?  I believe they are maple (non painted) with a heavy epoxy clear coat, about 4 years old.  They are typical cabinets from a national builder, nothing custom.  I would like to add some character and style to the plain color, and a glaze seems like a cost effective way.  I have read, however, that it is too hard to glaze because of the type of wood (maple) and/or the existing finish.  Any ideas or suggestions would be great!

ANSWER: Hi Mona, it is not recommended to do any finishing over one of these factory finishes. They are similar to an epoxy, but actually they are a 'conversion' finish, usually a catalyzed  lacquer, urethane, or varnish.They are very hard and durable, and therefore any staining or glazing has to typically be done underneath these hard clear coats. The wood really has nothing to do with it, as it's encased in the finish. Glazing mediums will dry flat anywhere they're left to dry, and that will affect the sheen of the cabinets, so they typically need to be topcoated for protection and to end up with an even gloss level over the whole surface.This is advanced finishing, and one needs the equipment, materials, knowledge and experience to do this type of work....not the realm of the novice finisher.I would save and look into refacing, as paying a Pro to glaze and clearcoat your cabinets will likely be very expensive if you could even find someone willing to take on such a job. It usually just doesn't make sense, as the labor is very expensive and adds up quickly on such a job...and the resulting finish will not be as durable as a factory applied finish that you would receive on a refacing job , as they replace the doors and drawer fronts with prefinished ones.....post back if need be- regards- Greg

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QUESTION: Thanks so much for your response.  I was afraid that was going to be your reply.  Just one last shot....I wanted to just as depth with the glaze to the corners and raised surfaces, not the entire panel.  It is a recessed shaker style so I'd just add the glaze to the inside grooves and outer edges.  Do you think that is still a no go with that epoxy coating?  Thanks again for your expertise and response!

Answer
Again, smearing a glaze on an existing catalyzed finish will leave behind a flatter surface that really needs to be sealed....or it will look dirty, like you smeared a glaze all over it...and didn't seal it, which blends the sheen...not recommended ...as you really need to clear coat over a glaze.