Antique Wood Grain - How to create painted wood grain effects.          

Antique wood grain finish

Create this rustic finish with the appearance of antique wood grain.

This fun and easy to product faux woodgrain finish compliments wall surfaces that have wallpaper or other decorative paint effects, mural painting and decorative plaster treatments.

The method that follows is designed to create an Antique Sage wood grain effect, with a dark tonal glazed over a lighter base coat.

rustic wood grain finish

Rustic Antique woodgrain effect
Step 1:

Remove all nails and repair any damaged or cracked areas.

Isolate moldings, doors and trim by taping off wall surfaces and surrounding areas.

If necessary, remove all electrical cover plates. Cover furniture and floor areas with drop cloths.

Step 2:

Applying a high quality Water based primer.

The next step is to apply a quality water-based primer to the unfinished wood surface. Apply primer with a brush working hte primer into the recesses, then follow up with straight brush strokes up and down, following the natural wood grain.

Rustic Antique woodgrain effect

applying a good quality water-based primer.


Base colors and mixing your glaze


Suggested Color Ideas

For this tutorial we've chosen the perfect compliment to the classic 'Libray Green' tones that we've come to recognize collectively as a culture, reinforced in our cinematic cultural representations of luxury resorts, fanciful club houses and sea-faring cruises.

Base Color Benjamin Moore Lehigh Green - HC-131 - Latex Eggshell

library green base color

Glaze color Library Green

library green glaze color

Step 3: Apply base color

Use an eggshell sheen (or low sheen - but NOT FLAT) acrylic (latex) base color. Choose from your favorite paint manufacturer (Ben Moore, Behr, Ace, Sherwin William, Etc). Allow this base color to fully dry (8 hrs).


Step 4: Mix the secondary, 'grain' color.

In a bucket create a color combination that is the value and color you would like to achieve. The glaze coat is mixed as a concentrated color, then diluted to the fluidity needed for the glazing process. For most rooms, one quart of Paintmanufacture latex glazing liquid will be sufficient. Using universal tinters, add color slowly, mixing thoroughly until desired color is achieved. Add ¼ cup Floetrol to help extend the drying time. It may also be helpful to add small amounts of water to facilitate mixing. This will be your ‘master glaze’. Experiment in a low visibility area of the surface being treated. Adjust color of the ‘master glaze’ to your liking, wiping clean your test area after each test application.


Step 5:

Wear disposable gloves. With glaze color prepared, place a portion of glaze color in one of the 2.5 qt. buckets. Add water and dilute to proper consistency. Experiment. Fill the other bucket 2/3 full with water.

Use the sponge for the water and a clean 3 inch to 5 inch brush to use for your color glaze. Wet the surface with water to dampen it. Work one area at a time. See glazing methods for more information. Wetting the surface first allows the glaze to go on fluidly and evenly.


Appy the glaze to the surface.

Take a brush, dipped in the glaze, and brush over dampened area to spread glaze. Work evenly over area for full coverage. Make sure not to leave any untreated areas.

Rustic aged wood grain finish
Antique green woodgrain finish

Step 7: Use your dry brush and drag glaze smoothly and evenly

Take a clean, dry bristle brush and with a firm hand begin at one end of surface, dragging the brush evenly through the glaze moving in a downward manner. This will remove the freshly applied glaze from the surface, revealing the base color and producing a striee, lined texture.

Rustic aged wood grain finish

This treatment resembles a wood grained effect. It is important to drag the color in the proper direction to maximize this effect. In this case, straight up and down.

Regularly wipe dry brush with a clean rag to remove excess glaze to insure a fresh grain pattern. Work evenly over surface. Wipe end edge with a rag to create a clean finish line.

Pro-Tip: Working 'sag' and 'runs'

If glaze is too fluid and continually “sags” or runs, allow to set momentarily then return and work at glaze with a dry brush until smooth. Be aware that latex glazes set quickly.

Move to next area and repeat. Work glaze to previous edge but don’t overlap existing striee. Continue until area is completed.


Rustic and aged wood grain finish
Working with base moldings, door casings and crown moldings

Apply liberally over trim molding, following up with a dry brush in the direction of the natural wood grain. Use a clean rag and remove glaze from all high points, wiping molding profile details clean to create contrast and imply worn, aged edges.


OPTIONAL: Add richness and depth by applying an additional antique glaze.

Create the perfect antique glaze.

Now that you have your faux wood grain completed add another layer of depth with a simple antique glaze. Allow first glaze coat to dry completely (24 hrs)!

Creating the - 'Classic Antique Glaze' - In a bucket mix latex glazing liquid with universal tinters. Mix 2 parts Raw Umber with 1 part Burnt Seine. Add color slowly, mixing thoroughly until desired color is achieved. Add ¼ cup Floetrol to help extend the drying time. It may also be helpful to add small amounts of water to facilitate mixing. Experiment in a low visibility area of the surface being treated. Apply glaze in the same manner as before, steps 6 & 7. Allow to dry fully.

Rustic and aged wood grain finish

Applying a protective varnish coat

Step 9:

A water-based varnish, such as latex varnish may be applied after faux wood grain and antiqued surfaces have dried completely (24 hrs.) for surface protection. For trim and molding surfaces it is recommended to use a Low-luster finish, or Satin sheen varnish.

Clean up with warm, soapy water.

Retain some of the master glaze for future touch ups in a covered glass container. Dispose of remaining glazes properly.



parchment paint effect

Pre-mixed Glazes

Ready, set, GO!

Getting going with these premixed glazes. Select one of our pre-mixed glaze colors or create your own. We custom mix any color from all major paint manufacturers. Just pick your own color from any swatch book and let us know the paint name and number and we'll send you the right glaze - interior or exterior - custom matched to your liking.

Create classic effects such as colorwashing, dragging, striee, antiquing effects, furniture effects and much more!

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premixed color glaze for faux finishing


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