How to Create a Faux Wood Grain Finish

I love the look of a subtle brushed wood grain. So, when I’m refinishing a piece of furniture or working with a wood that I know will be difficult to stain, creating a faux finish that mimics the warmth of a wood tone and has the look of a brushed wood grain is the perfect solution. This finish can be completed with any combo of paint and glaze, but my favorite pairing is to layer Rust-Oleum’s Java Brown Glaze over Behr’s Rugged Tan paint. 

Steps for Creating a Faux Brushed Wood Finish

Apply the primer

To get started, spray or paint on the primer and let dry. I’m using the tabletop of a coffee table I just finished building Even though I’m using a paint that is supposedly a “paint and primer in one” I still find using an actual primer create a better basecoat and significantly reduced the number of coats of paint I need to achieve an even finish. Once dry, lightly sand the primer to smooth any texture. 

Paint the surface

Using a paintbrush, coat the surface. You may need two coats, but because I used the primer, I only needed one coat. Once the paint dries, lightly sand the surface for a smooth finish. 

Apply and brush the glaze

Apply the glaze with a brush in the direction that you’d like to look like grain. If you’re working on a piece with mitered corners, you can even tape off sections to make sure these strokes follow the direction of where the grain would run for the most realistic look.

Now drag the bristle brush over the glaze to create the effect, again working in the direction of the desired grain look. This looks pretty terrible in the moment, but as the stain settles, you can lightly drag a brush over to soften the effect, but the goal is to trust the process and let this step dry. 

Protect the finish

Using a wide brush apply a coat of polyurethane. Once dry lightly sand the clearcoat and apply a second coat. 

Materials

• Kilz Original Oli-Based Primer Spray Sealer and Stain Blocker in White — $10.98
• Behr Ultra Semi Gloss Interior Paint in the color Rugged Tan — $19.98
• Rust-Oleum Decorative Glaze in Java Brown by Rust-Oleum — $21.98
• Varathane Water-base polyurethane in a matte finish — $25.98

Tools