We have natural cherry wood cabinets with raised panel doors and a "ginger spice" stain/finish. Cabinets are in excellent condition. I would like to add a deeper brown stain/glaze to the finish to add some depth and interest to the cabinets.

What do you recommend for the glaze? Just purchase a stain and wipe on/wipe off? Mix a brown paint with glaze (like you would do to a wall)? Use a gel stain and wipe on/wipe off?

What kind of prep is necessary with this final top coat/glaze?

When I painted some old cabinets I went through an exhausting series of steps: clean with tsp/rinse/sand/tack cloth/paint/sand/tack cloth/etc. With the glaze - it seems that all I need is a clean, dust free surface.

Your thoughts and suggestions welcomed!

Thanks in advance and may you all have a prosperous and creative 2010! Diane