Faux Finishing Techniques for Painting Exteriors

Wood Graining

• Make a boring steel front door spectacular using a wood-graining technique. Use a wood-graining rocker and several layers of brown paint mixed with glazing liquid. If you are very adventurous, this technique can support fantasy faux finishing, that is, preparing a finish that has a realistic look but not in realistic colors, for example, a bright blue wood. This finish is versatile, fitting into many decor styles, from modern to rustic.

Marbling

• Marbling should be used sparingly in any situation to maintain its illusion of reality. Archways and pillars look magnificent with a properly executed marbling technique. Reserve this finish for the exterior of stately, formal homes, as it would look out of place in a rural or suburban setting.

Distressing

• A country home or cottage is the perfect place to distress the exterior. While it is not advisable to distress an entire house, a front door, garage door, banisters of a porch, or a mailbox look charming as an antiqued accent. This technique is easy for a beginner. It only requires layers of plain paint and sanding to expose small amounts of the colors underneath to give it a worn appearance.

Faux Stone

• Faux stone looks beautiful on an archway or in an enclosed porch. You could even do it on a porch floor, but only if it is covered; the effects of traffic combined with direct weather would be disastrous and not worth the work. Faux stone is easy with a stenciling kit, or it can be done free hand by a more experienced painter. Faux granite, slate or limestone are good choices for faux finishes, as they can look very realistic when done properly.