Less obvious is the fact that glazes can be used to actually enhance the grain of the wood itself. One of the most dramatic effects can be achieved by using a glaze to highlight some parts of the surface while toning down others. To accomplish this, simply flood the whole surface with glaze and rub it off more vigorously in the areas you want to highlight. Unlike “antiquing,” the goal is not to simulate age but to draw attention to areas of interest. Let’s say you have crotch-grain figure in the center of a panel and it fades to plain, straight grained areas on the sides. In most cases, the plainer grain is naturally lighter in overall color than the crotch. A glaze darker than the wood itself can be applied to the whole panel and rubbed off almost completely on the highly figured areas while being left more heavily on the plainer areas. The crotch itself will stand out more vividly as attention is naturally focused on the lighter area of higher clarity.

 

Another technique can make the grain characteristics of open grained wood stand out more strongly. Select a glaze that contrasts well against the color of the wood to which you’re applying it. Flood the surface and wipe off all the excess, leaving color only in the pores. The effect is similar to using a grain filler, but the process is far less labor intensive. 

 

Coloring in the pores is especially helpful when dye has been sprayed directly onto the wood and has left the pores looking lighter (negative grain effect). In a similar situation, when inside corners are left with insufficient stain due to trapped air preventing penetration, glazing is the ideal solution since the glaze naturally tends to stay concentrated in just those areas.

 

Although glazes can be applied directly to the wood as a stain, their ability to be manipulated works best if they’re applied over at least a sealer. The sealer must be able to withstand the manipulation of the glaze without degradation. Achieving the desired effect is a matter of getting the right formulation of glaze, the right application tools, and the right technique.

 

Formulation of the glaze needs to have the right combination of resins, colorants and thinners. Pre-mixed glazes are available in alkyd resin based formulas (commonly referred to as oil-based) and acrylics (water-based). Clear formulas are available for both systems, so you can add your own colorants (dyes and/or pigments) to achieve the color and transparency desired. Appropriate thinners and retarders can also be added to modify the working properties. Some experimentation is necessary when modifying glazes. Always consider the largest single surface to be glazed and be sure the working time of the formula is adequate to manipulate the glaze before it reaches its “snap time” and is no longer workable. Once that time is past, it is difficult to correct any imperfections. The glaze will probably need to be removed altogether and then reapplied. Alkyd-based glazes are the traditional, time-tested glazes most readily available from finishing material suppliers. Their working properties are unsurpassed, but they do require substantial curing time and they contain hazardous ingredients.

 

Based on my own testing, most water-based glazes available through wood finish suppliers are problematic for working on large surfaces since their working time is short. Art and faux finish suppliers tend to have acrylic glazes with better working properties. Although most suppliers have small quantities only, some have gallon sizes available. Another drawback with water-based glazes is that they are milky when wet, significantly affecting the color. Each color adjustment has to be allowed to dry in order to check it. On the other hand, water-based glazes are less hazardous to use and more environmentally friendly than alkyd-based glazes.

 

The glazing techniques described above can be applied with an inexpensive brush and manipulated by wiping with dry cheesecloth. A soft-bristled brush can be used to help blend as needed. The techniques themselves are not difficult to learn. Just be sure have the formulation appropriate for the task at hand and don’t apply glaze to an area larger than you can manipulate within the working time. The seemingly subtle effects achieved by glazing can make a dramatic difference on the overall appearance of your work.