Each wood has its own grain characteristics.
Graining, or making walls and items imitate the look of natural wood, looks intricate and difficult but is actually quite easy. You can use this technique on less expensive woods to give them a richer and exotic feel. Look at samples of the type of wood you are trying to mimic to achieve the correct wood grain characteristics.
Instructions
1. Paint a base coat of solvent based paint on the wall or item you want to give a faux wood finish to and let dry. Drying times vary based on temperature and humidity.
2. Start at the top and work your way to the bottom brushing glaze onto the wall or item. You want your brush marks to be visible as you begin to create a graining effect.
3. Wait a couple of minutes, and then, while the glaze is tacky, with a dry graining brush or regular paintbrush lightly drag your brush over the glaze, creating a grain pattern.
4. Look at the piece of wood you’ve chosen to imitate then with the graining comb, rubber rocker or bristle grainer reproduce the characteristics of the wood you are copying. Some have a rippled look, others long waves.
