Graining in Paintwork
Sep 6, 2010 Interior Design Tips
Graining is a very old technique that is used to give painted woodwork the appearance of a high-quality wood, such as mahogany. It has the advantage that you do not have to strip off the existing finish, but it is definitely a difficult technique -one to leave until you have gained some experience of the other finishes. You will need to use a special glaze called ‘scumble’, which is available from specialist paint and decorators’ suppliers.
First, apply a coat of wood-colour eggshell oil-base paint to match the lightest colour of the wood effect that you wish to achieve.
Next, apply a coat of wood-colour scumble glaze thinned with an equal amount of white spirit and rub this on to the surface. Use a brush on the wet glaze to form a light basic grain pattern. Leave this for 24 hours to dry thoroughly.
Next the swirling heart-grain can be applied. Use black gloss paint in oil glaze thinned with white spirit. Apply this very lightly to the panel in semi-elliptical brushstrokes and then, with a long, soft-bristled brush, soften these grain lines, working out from the centre.
When you are satisfied with the result, let the panel dry before giving it a protecting coat of clear varnish.
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