My guide to Faux Wood grain on the cheap!

[OUTFXD]

Start by cleaning and degreasing the piece you want to stain. Either completely remove the paint or lightly sand it with 120 grit.  Prime any naked metal and coat with the base color of your choice.

[OUTFXD]

after it has dried overnight.  Put on a good coat of the stain of your choice.  I am using Minwax with a translucent black.  it wasnt translucent enough for my taste and I ended up thinning it 15%.   Remember that this is water based so if you mess up you can just wash it off before it dries.

[OUTFXD]

Time to get artsy!  take a DRY brush (no stain. no water) and draw it along the trim drawing "wood grain" in the wet stain.  You dont have to be perfect. Wood isnt perfect.  leaving some imperfections make it look more real.   Saddly I am working with "Translucent" black so the areas that are "light" just look black.  You will end up with stain color where the stain is thick.  Base color "grain" where your clean brush wiped away the stain. and various shades of "light" stain where the brush removed SOME of the stain.

[OUTFXD]

Now comes the hard part.  set it aside in a warm dry place and let it dry for two or three days.  The stain is water based and the enamel is oil based, and water and oil dont mix. if you dont let the stain dry, the clear will react to it and wont be clear and it wont be smooth.

Edited September 9, 2022 by OUTFXD

[OUTFXD]

once your stain is completely dry,  add two or three coats of Clear to protect the stain and make your trim all pretty-shiney.

[OUTFXD]

at this point the trim is so shiney it is hard to get a good picture so here is a close-up to showcase the grain.

[OUTFXD]

I saw a piece done with red brown base and warm mohogany stain and it was BEAUTIFUL!  anywho  just showing a bit and hoping someone will find it useful.

[MarcDeSoto]

I don't like your choice of colors as I prefer original looking woodgrain, but maybe your goal is for something totally different.  

[OUTFXD]

I hear you. This is just me trying to be artistic with what I have on hand.  When I do the blue paint job the trim will get a full rework

 

<edit> Not entirely true.  I started with blue and black because that Is what I had.  I have continued with those colors so all the parts would "Match" .    I have dents to work.  I have rust-holed panels to be replaced.  When all is said and done,  I am going to repaint her  a beautiful pearl midnight blue.  Not sure what I am going to do with the interior,  but it will be reworked as well.

Edited September 9, 2022 by OUTFXD

[Tom Skinner]

Any Color will do Chesnut etc. Against tan etc. Try using a large Feather to twist run it along making Grains.

Finish with 10 coats of Clear Sealer Oh Baby what a finish!

Edited September 9, 2022 by Tom Skinner

[Tom Skinner]

Tried to revolve pic didn't work

[OUTFXD]

Absolutely gorgeous!

 

Edited September 10, 2022 by OUTFXD

[Booger]

FXD! Its all good , man. And I applaud your artistic jam! And Skinner! that technique is concours stuff!

[MarcDeSoto]

That striped broadcloth looks just like my 48 DeSoto upholstery.   But it looks brand new!  How can that be as they don't make that style anymore?  

[Tom Skinner]

Marc,

That Broadcloth was done 20 years ago from old stock. The wood grain I did on some of the Interior trims. Thanks for the compliments!

As with anything woodgraining is easy - it just takes practice - it is just like OUTFXD said if your not happy with it, wipe it clean and start over.

Actualy for window trim a wide flat short bristle fan brush like the ones you use to paint clouds with works best.

Got to get the artistic feelings stirring do this. A little spirits never hurt, when one is feeling particularly well disposed, time to grab the brushes. 

Tom