I’ve been playing around today with a new product – a dark glaze from General Finishes. I am not used to working with this product and it has been a learning curve. First off, it dries super fast. Secondly, it takes more to one part of the paint and not as much to another – even though the whole piece was painted and sanded the same underneath.
The colors used were a base of white with Annie Sloan’s Florence on top and then the glaze. Here is a quick pic of what it looks like now…
I quickly learned that the glaze does not really come off after applying. I mean, even rubbing it with a cloth will only take off a teeny bit.
Now on to dark wax. The great thing about waxes – and in particular, dark wax – is that you can easily take it off if you apply too much. Just take the clear and wipe it over to fade the dark. Here is my green velvet chair that I dark waxed to highlight the details. This was done in Annie Sloan’s Old White with her dark wax.
I have been out of my comfort zone today working on this project but that is part of the fun. If I painted every piece the same way, with the same products, I would soon tire of it and you would become bored as well. I must say the finish is really smooth and durable feeling. I need to go over it again tomorrow one more time. I’ve been working on it all day and have decided to take a break and reevaluate tomorrow.
Sneak peek in my living room. Starting to fill up for Lucketts!
Oh thank you for this post!
I am going through the same thing. I’ve used, and loved, ASCP and waxes for about 18 months. Last week I was sent some GF products to try out. I tried the Van Dyke glaze and hated it. It was just so, so, strange to use! It’s hard to describe. I tried the White Glaze over Driftwood milk paint and loved that look.
I think you hit it on the head when you said doing something outside your comfort zone. I can open ASCP and know instantly what to do with it to get the effect I’m looking for. Glaze? Not yet, by a long shot!!
I am will not defeated. I will try and try again.
I actually love playing with glaze, but it needs a glossy surface – gloss or semi-gloss paint . It is really not meant to be used on chalk paint or traditional milk paint. I have used General Finishes glaze over their milk paint (not a true milk paint, but a latex) and it worked beautifully. I hope you give it another try!
I was told their glaze works better over a poly finish. I don’t know if using clear wax first would work. I am waiting on my GF samples to arrive.
I’m so glad I heard from you and Sharon. Will give it another go today! I need to paint over it first then seal then glaze…oh, joy!
I totally understand what you are dealing with! I do love General Finishes products,now! You have run into the same problem as I did the first time I used the “Van Dyke” glaze. However, I then called my
” paint guru” at Heron House. She told me that chalk paint does ” grab” the glaze without a doubt. She told me to use a clear topcoat first, then you will have plenty of open time to work with your glaze of choice! Worked like a charm! Try it and see if it helps!
When you say clear coat do you mean a wax or poly first, then apply the glaze? I would love to try some glaze on a piece I’m working on right now, and am kind of nervous about it, but love that look.
Hi Kim, today I redid my piece. I painted it all over again with chalk paint and then waxed it. After waxing it, I applied the glaze. It went on much better! Didn’t streak and was easier to manipulate. That being said, you have to work with it super fast as it dries so quickly. I only did small sections at a time. Good luck! Suzanne
Don’t have a web site as of yet but working on it in between painting & exploring. Your post regarding GF stain was very helpful. I was thinking of ordering some, but not the paint. From reading other comments I think I will get some paint as well. If I do use ASP paint, I will, of course, use a top coat first. Thanks so much for posting.
Remixed & Reimagined look for the website soon.
That blue up top is absolutely gorgeous…..and that piece looks very stunning. I’ll be getting back into some furniture projects this Spring so I’ll be checking out your tutorials and asking you questions most likely!
Love the green velvet chair. Am I right in thinking that the Lucketts you are mentioning is May 17-18? If so I would love to go to it, having heard so much about it. Love your work!!
Now I love the dark glaze. I realized that you’re supposed to seal the paint first, before applying the glaze! Once I did that (either with wax or topcoat) the glaze is perfection itself. I used the Van Dyke glaze over Olive chalk paint on an armchair, and it is just beautiful. Glad I tried again 🙂