How do you apply glaze paint? I'm a newbie

Sorry to say but if you know nothing about faux finishing the glaze is not of any use to you. Glaze is a transparent medium in which a colorant is added. It is not meant to be a wall application on it's own because it is transparent. The base coat has to coordinate with the glaze color and it has to be a satin finish, not a flat. Then there is a wide array of ways to apply the glaze with a wide variety of brushes, rollers, and tools. All of them require practice and knowledge. The DYI class I taught was a full six week class--three hours of practice per class. This is not "just painting". No one can tell you how to do it...it has to be shown. If you want to get an idea about wall glazing go to YouTube and type it in. But remember, these are professionals in these video who make it look much easier than it really is. Good luck.

Not sure if this will help or just confuse you. I painted and glazed a half wall in one of my bathrooms. I wanted the look of boards so I painted the wall white first. Then I put up narrow frog tape to create the illusion of boards. I then painted the entire wall a medium blue. When that was dry I applied the colored glaze and while the glaze was wet, I applied a single layer of plastic over the glaze, smooshing and moving it around, applying different pressure with the palms and the fingers. I worked with plastic grocery bags because that's what I had. I used a new piece of plastic for each application. I pulled the plastic off while the glaze was wet and the result is the photo I'm including. Hope this gives you a better idea of what you can do with the glaze you bought.

HI. Depends on what yo are trying to glaze. Your glaze if it is not a colored glaze will have to be tinted. You can add a very small amount of paint to it..Very small. YOu don't say if it is clear. If it is furniture you can pour out a small amt of glaze, say a cup and then add maybe 1/8 cup paint, brush it on a piece of painted furniture then wipe some of it off with damp or dry rag, you will have to experiment. Bear in mind, glaze has a much longer dry time than paint, allowing you some working time, but also needing a longer dry time before you can add any kind of top coat. Glazing walls is very difficult, If you try it, I would suggest tinting your glaze in a shade a little darker or lighter that your wall, (not a completely different color), apply it with a brush in a random X pattern, then take a piece of Lambs wool, (something that doesn't shed lint) and softly pat the glaze, That should give you a subtle effect you might like. If you are really brave you could use 2 colors, just keep them close in their shade and color value. Also, a white glaze is sometimes very pretty over a pastel color. Hope this helps, do some research look on pinterest, and don't be discouraged. You can do it.

Hi Marissa,

I have found that glazing can be very simple. Prep your walls and paint the base color (a flat paint is best if you will be glazing). Be sure it is totally dry before you begin the next step.

Depending on what you are looking to achieve, there are different ways to apply the glaze. The absolute easiest way is with crumpled plastic bags or plastic wrap. Check to see if the glaze has any color or specialty additive, I like glaze that has a sheen so I use one that has a pearlized color.

Stir your glaze very well. Poor about 1/2 cup into a disposable pan (aluminum pie pan or similar). Wad up your plastic and dip it into the glaze, and start patting it on in a dabbing motion. When the plastic gets sticky take a fresh "applicator". Do the corners in the same manner, but be sure to remove some glaze (by patting). Don’t end at a corner, come out 6” or so to avoid over glazing and allowing for an overlap.

The glaze does take a long time to dry, allowing you to go back and add more or use the plastic to take some off. This technique will make the glaze appear mottled giving various degrees of shine or matte. It will also allow you to do a portion of the wall and let it sit to see how you like it.

Don't try to do the whole wall at once. Eyeball a 3'x3' section and continue from there. If you stop, be sure you know where, and do some overlap when you begin again.

Another possibility would be to tape off vertical stripes and glaze every other one. Nice looking and a little more formal. Make yourself a couple of samples. This is not difficult, but it is a long process.

I was shown how to do this from a friend who is an interior designer. Don't be afraid, if you don't like it sand it off and repaint. Also, wear disposable gloves.

Good Luck.