Hey Friends!!
So the question of the day is Are YOU a Dirty Glazer? Or are you a Clean Glazer?
Of course by Glazer I am talking about the way that you glaze furniture.
I am hands down a dirty glazer. My glaze is usually really heavy and not perfectly even. Here is what I am talking about:
You might remember last Look What I Found Friday I showed you this oversized nightstand that I got for cheapola.
Its going in my bedroom and just because of the feel that the room is taking, a dirty glaze wouldn’t have fit in the way I wanted it to. So I decided to “Clean” glaze it.
After I painted it Krylon Gloss White I mixed a light gray glaze with Decoart’s Glazing Medium and their Slate Gray acrylic paint. Normally I don’t use the smaller sized mediums cause if you are dong a large piece it can get expensive but because I didn’t need much it worked out perfectly!!
Start by using a chip brush (you can get them anywhere for about $1.00) and paint on your glaze, making sure you work it really well in all the little cracks and corners.
Then take a damp rag and wipe it off. Not all of it mind you. Just so that it looks like this:
Then you are going to take a CLEAN DRY chip brush and in a circular motion work the brush into all of the places where the glaze is.
This is what it looks like after you have worked it all around.
Then you are going to wipe it with a clean damp cloth so that it looks well blended with no distinct lines.
You can clean it up as many times as you want until it is nice and light.
Here is a comparison between a Dirty glaze and a Clean one:
So awesome right? You can see my dirty glazing technique here!
So the question of the day again…
How do you like to glaze?
I’ve never thought about whether I was a clean or dirty glazer before. LOL! I’ve done both, but usually I prefer the clean look. Love your nightstand!
I am SO a dirty glazer. But I do think clean glazing looks better in some styles of rooms. But I usually do dirty. Very, very dirty…;)
Definitely clean! I tried a real “dirty glaze” piece yesterday, and I think I hate it. Back to the drawing board!
Ooh, I love that “after” pic with the stenciled wall behind… total eye candy!
I’m for sure a “dirty” girl! 😉
I would have said dirty until reading your post, and then I discover I’m clean… go figure! Of course sometimes a piece SCREAMS to be dirty, and who am I to ignore?
I am a clean glazer but it wouldn’t hurt for me to get more dirty.
and here I thought you were talking about replacing window glass. LOL
I have never, ever glazed anything in my life, but I bet I will be a clean glazer…it suits my personality.
Just depends on my mood!! Lobe the night stand too
Both. It depends on the piece. I can’t wait to see your whole room!!!
Gosh, I like them both now. I need to try this technique out…it sounds addicting :)thanks for the tutorial.
I’m a clean glazer but usually prefer no glaze. I like the way the shadows and light play off the engraved details of an object. Without glaze I think it looks like an iced cake. Then I like it distressed by sanding it a bit but not too heavy.
But somethings look great with a heavy glaze like your frames….I love those….
I actually think I’m a little of each, just depending on the piece. You are a speedy revivalist! Love it. 🙂
I love dirty. I think it is because it looks awesome with less work. I guess that is called lazy…whatev!
I’m a dirty girl. What do you do with the smooth areas like the top and sides? Do you put any glaze one them?
Too funny, i would have said I’m a dirty glazer too, but now i think I may be in between. I just love your stuff! By the way, I am totally ready for another girls night out!!
Dirty, dirty, dirty and I prefer a glaze I make that is dark umber…reaaaallllly dark brown. I am messy, gloppy and all over. I have been a decorative painter by trade for almost…gah, 18 years. So, my theory is…you gotta go for it. Never be tight and nervous. Maybe that is why I am dirty. AND I also like the look best.
I would be happy being “A” glazer. I don’t glaze anything because I can NEVER find awesome stuff like you do to glaze. NEVER. And it’s so unfair.
That’s it. I’m moving to Utah!
I love how glaze brings out the details in furniture. I don’t like it dirty but a lighter touch…just enough to bring it to life. I adore you newly painted piece.
Love this post Mandi! Couldn’t have come at a better time, too. I just painted a credenza Krylon White and when I went to buy the Ralph Lauren glaze you use I was told THEY DON’T MAKE IT ANY MORE!! :O(
Can anyone suggest a glaze they use & like? Bear in mind this would be the first piece I’ve ever glazed so I’m nervous to have to mix anything!
Thanks so much ladies!! :O)
absolutely love it!!
Well, It’s official…I’m a dirty glazer…always have been and always will be!
I’ve not tried my hand at it yet, but I’d say that via my taste, I am a dirty girl
Too funny! Dirty if the piece has lots of detail and I want the glaze sitting around in it. Clean if I am doing flat surfaces like cupboards. Like the dirty better.
I think I am a clean glazer, but have very dirty hands and clothing by the time I am done… What is that called?
I think it depends on the look and style of furniture I am glazing. I love both, but find that I am doing more “dirty glazing”. haha! love it!
I have never glazed.. I’m still learning about all the DIY stuff.. I’m SOOO nervous to do anything. But I am loving this clean piece you did. so great!
Cute nightstand, I feel like they are hard to come by. I think I am a “diry” glazer! Thanks for the tip on using a clean dry brush to go back over – I can’t believe I never thought of that..duh. I glaze everything so I can’t wait to try that.
I’m a glaze virgin, so I don’t know yet! but I like the look of both.
There was much a magical transformation in that old piece!!! I love redoing old furniture & other pieces, also. They are usually much more solid and much less expensive than new! Way to go. Love, love it.
Looks fabulous. I’ve never glazed before, but if I did I would definitly be a dirty glazer! this post would be such a great addition to my new party. I’d love it if you stopped by and joined in.
If I did use glaze, which I have plans to try really soon. I am sure that I am a “dirty” glazer.
That looks great! I’m a DIRRTY glazer, as Ms. Christina would say.
I’m a middle ground glazer…..I accidentally found a technique where I get a cleaner distressed look by applying mixwax paste, after I apply stain with a rub on/rub off technique…..it makes such a pretty….less dirty but still dirty enough ; ) look….shewee long comment. it’s on my blog…used it on my table distressing. I guess the title of my blog IS appropriate by this comment length. http://www.youaretalkingtoomuch.com
I love your style! More importantly I love your realness….Your spirit shows. Love, Me
That turned out soooo gorgeous!!!
Girl, you are officially my favorite blogger. Ever. I just stumbled upon this (yep, it’s November). The best part is that I was trying to explain to my husband today how I felt like most of my pieces felt messy and dirty, like someone forgot to dust the fronts of all their furniture! Coincidence? Okay, probably, but thanks for putting it out there anyway!! – L
Thanks for the great post! I too, was thinking cleaner would look better in my bedroom. BTW, love the name.