Unfortunately, such colors don’t exist. Lauren Thomann is a freelance writer and business owner who covers DIY projects and home renovation on The Spruce. Using this technique, homeowners can mimic a natural-looking wood grain on non-wood surfaces, ranging from medium-density fiberboard to drywall. I use a little chip brush or sponge brush to stain all of the raw wood. Sanding will slough off any upright fibers in the board and level out any bumps. This next step is where the magic happens. Working in sections 6 inches in width at a time, apply a thin layer of the glaze that extends the entire height of the project surface. It’s a bit shinier than many satinwoods, but, more importantly, covers better and is more hardwearing – if you’re sceptical about water-based wood paints, try this one. We used the color wash (watered down paint) to adjust a previous stain that hadn’t been finished/sealed but it works with raw wood as well. Colors that occur naturally in real wood are tricky. Next, take a 220-grit sanding block and lightly sand to remove a little more of the top layer of paint near the edges. In our example, we nicked the corners on several drawers for a natural look. Thankfully, an innovative painting technique called “faux bois” (French for “false wood”) can offer the perfect compromise for do-it-yourselfers who budget for laminate furniture but dream of wood grain look. If your furniture piece has multiple layers of caked-on paint that you don't want to show through, you can opt to strip the entire piece down to the bare wood. Don't worry if the coloring overlaps onto surrounding paint. Our example aims at a distressed wood finish with a subtle charm. Lastly, replace any hardware on the project surface, and step back to admire your faux bois finish! If working with engineered wood, apply white primer to the entire project surface with a natural bristle brush or a paint roller. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series. To create variety with larger arches and a fine straight grain, position a graining comb—a triangular tool with teeth that mimics a grain texture—along the edge of the section you completed and pull the comb either straight down through the glaze or at a slight angle. What’s more, the painter has full control over the color and variation of the faux wood grain, so they can dictate how to add texture to otherwise flat surfaces. This step is going to reveal the original finish, which in this example is white paint. Beachy Table Makeover Using Furniture Paint Now that our table is cleaned, prepped and primed we can get started with our makeover. Tip: Practice your wood grain rocker technique in advance by applying a thin layer of glaze to scrap cardboard or drywall board and pulling the hand tool through it. Next, using a wood graining tool, add grain to the “faux planks” on the wall that you’ve taped off. With two shades of latex paint and a simple acrylic glaze, you can apply paint that looks like wood to all of your favorite home accents. The key to this is using a dry paint brush with little paint and keep adding layers. With the project surface primed, you’re ready to apply a base coat of paint that looks like wood. Lay down old newspaper beneath the workspace to keep sanding debris and paint drops off of floors and furnishings. Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Next, use the sanding block completely remove the existing painted finish or stain in areas that would … Use the side-loaded paint brush to outline each rock. Especially with black, you may need to have an area where you can test how much water to add to the paint to get the color intensity you want. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY. I didn’t want it to look “brown” or too weather-y, … Sand just enough to remove any sheen, which will help the paint stick. Then I wipe it all off with a paper towel. 2. Sand paper (or electric sander if removing a previous finish) Cloth rag or old towel Pin this Resource! Remember to sand in between coats for a smoother finish. Use a clean rag or scrap of old t-shirt to gently rub off some of the excess paint. Let dry. For example, if you want the surface to bear resemblance to mahogany, opt for coral or dark red. Take a sheet of fine-grit sandpaper (between 120 and 220) and run it over the MDF. One of my favorite techniques is to layer different color metallics over each other to create a really sophisticated finish. Opt for latex paint that is a similar to, but a few shades darker than, the base coat. The best way to apply the coloring agent is with a clean rag. Let dry and seal if necessary. Although it is easily soluble in water in its original form, the paint becomes water-resistant after drying up. If you are using dark paint, thin it down a bit with some water. Upgrade your home's curb appeal in a single day. If you make a mistake, simply re-glaze the offending area and re-apply the faux wood grain. These paints create the color and shine of metal on nearly any surface, including wood. Once your first coat is dry, dry brush a rough coat of the dark brown paint. Have you ever bought something new but wished it looked antique? Above I used American in Rustic color. To change the direction of the faux wood grain, simply flip the rocker and drag it in the opposite direction. Layer the Metallics to create a Multi-dimensional Finish. Receive free, no-commitment estimates from pro painters near you. Sand the Existing Finish. SUPPLIES USED | Chalk paint – 3 colors (you can find my diy chalk paint recipe here) Good paintbrush for painting base coat- I use Paint Pixie brushes and this Amazon brush which is … Ensure you read the manufacturer guidelines on the right quantity to mix per gallon before adding the paint extender to your paint. Unfortunately, solid wood pieces—side tables, bedroom dressers, and chair—cost a pretty penny. You must properly prepare the wood and add a clear coat to ensure that the metallic paint adheres properly and lasts for years. In an attempt to not get primer on my shop floor I use my rustic wood coffee table to lay down my table for easy access to the feet. How to get a weathered wood look with paint | THIS POST CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS TO PRODUCTS I HAVE PERSONALLY USED AND LOVE. let’s start with the products. Choose an acrylic primer that is suitable for the surface you are working on: wood, metal, plastic, etc. Although it can drip, it dries more slowly than most similar products, so it’s much easier to get a good finish. Acrylic paint is well-known for its capability to dry up fast. Carefully clean the item of any dust or grime. How to Refurbish Particleboard Furniture With Paint, How to Achieve Smooth Results When Painting Wood, How To Paint a Dresser To Make It Look Like New Again, How to Paint an End Table With Chalk Paint, Sandpaper Grit: What to Know Before You Buy, 5 Methods for Repairing Orange-Peel Texture on Walls, The 10 Best Paints for Interior Walls of 2021. You can't buy character, but you can fake it with an antique paint finish. Creating the “wood” grain. When the paint dries, apply a second coat and then allow the coat to dry completely. The best white water-based wood paint I’ve used is Dulux Trade Quick Dry Satinwood . Use a synthetic bristle brush or paint roller to cover the entire project surface in paint. Sand just enough to remove any sheen, which will help the paint stick. Some wood products like MDF tend to absorb water and swell, and they’re also prone to expanding or contracting with changes in temperature. Your furniture will look much better if you use several light coats rather than a single heavy one. Using the two patterns alternately will give a natural wood-grain look. Paint your garage door and your front door to look like real wood with Giani™ Wood Look Paint. I used stain that I had on hand that was close to the same color as the original wood of the gun rack and some white paint that I had on hand. Position a wood grain rocker—a hand tool that creates a wood grain texture on painted surfaces (view example on Amazon)—at a top edge of the project’s surface. Once the primer has dried, paint a base coat in a color similar to the wood look that is desired. Check paint … Making New Wood Look Old. For these types of wood, opt for an oil-based primer and coat both the top and underside of the project surface to help minimize warping. Let the first coat dry for 24 hours before proceeding to the next step. It has a nice, rich warm tone to it. To prepare the workspace for painting, cover all surrounding areas with painter’s tape. After the walls have been washed and dried, prime them with a quality primer. You can use a paint conditioner to slow down the drying time of the paint, allowing you to get a more even look. For example, you won’t use any brown paint to create realistic painted woodgrain. OK so take it from me – you cannot paint a door to look like wood with orange paint. Sand lightly in long, straight strokes and run the sandpaper over the MDF in the direction you plan to paint on the wood grain. Continue this process until the faux wood grain covers the entire project surface. This type of primer will fill the wood pores and cavities in the wood. Dry the primer completely per the manufacturer’s instructions. The trick to making wood look realistically weathered is to not overdo it. Apply the first layer of finish, satin, semi-gloss or gloss, and allow it to dry. Paint your walls a solid color. NOTE: If you are painting a surface where water where will be present, I recommend starting with two coats of an oil based primer, I like Zinnser. If you wish, you can also use a butter knife or other tool to scrape some areas to add more character. I didn’t use outdoor paint because I already had some indoor paint on hand left over from a different project. Pour the glaze into a paint pan, and load a synthetic bristle brush (or a roller with a quarter-inch nap roller cover) with the glaze. Once the preliminary sanding is complete, apply wood stain or dark paint as a coloring agent to low spots and areas where wood has been exposed. Secondly, a paint conditioner is useful to levels out the paint on the wood surface and effectively eliminates marks caused by the brush strokes. If painting engineered wood such as MDF, particle board, or plywood, use a sanding block to lightly sand the project surface. Brown paint colors that look like wood. Remember, the lighter the hand, the better this antiquing will turn out. You’ll also want to remove hinges, knobs, and other hardware or décor, in order to protect them from stray splatters. How to Paint a Door to Look Like Wood. An aluminum wood primer is recommended when the wood is to be exposed to moisture. By Manasa Reddigari and Bob Vila. Paint on the watered down paint heavily. The goal is to get down to the raw surface of the wood so that the coloring agent can penetrate. Make sure that the furniture is completely dry before you go onto the next step. I use Modern Masters products for this technique, they are high quality and the products are concentrated so I end up using less. When the paint dries, apply a second coat and then allow the coat to dry completely. Use a synthetic bristle brush or paint roller to cover the entire project surface in paint. Then move to the next 6-inch swath of the project surface, and repeat Steps 6 and 7. High-density foam roller … In a paint mixing jar (view example on Amazon), combine equal parts clear acrylic glaze and a second latex paint pick. In an episode of Today’s Homeowner last spring, I helped a homeowner apply a wood-look paint kit* to their garage door and front door. Replace the cap on the jar and shake the contents to create a translucent tinted glaze. Before staining, make sure your wood is properly prepared for finishing. Start slow and take a step back every so often to evaluate the distressed look. Using a 150-grit sanding block, buff down the edges so that the dark areas start to peek through. Repeat this step for each rock. Transfer the roller to the wood. The finish won't look natural if you attempt to create an overly distressed look. Even if I used an outdoor paint I would still use an outdoor poly on top because the poly really does help the end result look more professional and like it was really stained. Go back over the paint with a brush. For lighter woods like walnut or maple, select a shade of gold or orange. Immediately wipe away any excess. This technique will create a soft, blended shadow and add defined rocks to the wall or surface. The painting technique described here can be applied to wood, laminate, or any furniture you want to look aged. Wood staining brush. Use a paper towel to wipe the glaze from the rocker and comb. Q: How to make plastic look like wood? The ageless patina of wood grain makes it a popular material for home furnishings. 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