Techniques for Painting with Glaze

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In house painting, glaze is typically used for faux painting styles. The effect is manufactured by taking a glaze and thinning it with paint, the result being partially transparent. A glaze must be applied over a solid-color base coat, which provides a background for the faux finish. The glaze is applied over a certain area and can then be manipulated with a tool (rag, sponge, etc.) to achieve a desired effect. Because the glaze is tampered with after application, drying time is a key factor when glazing.

There are two types of glazes: acrylic-based and oil-based.

Latex paint may also be thinned for faux painting but is considered a wash because water, not glaze, is used for thinning.

Acrylic-based glazes offer a longer drying time than a wash but not as long as oil-based, which means that an acrylic glaze must be rolled on thicker to provide more time to work. Acrylic glazes too can be thinned further with water, but it will dry faster.

Oil-based glazes are also called alkyd glazes. They have the longest drying time and are more durable than their counterparts listed above. Although clean up is a bit more difficult. One rule to remember is that you must use an oil-based glaze if the base coat is also oil-based.

Glaze / Rollers / Patching / Sanding