Faux Oak Painting Technique

Oak has been a highly desired wood for centuries. It is very popular with cabinetry and hardwood floors, but its high cost puts it out of reach for some homeowners. A much more affordable alternative is to apply a faux oak finish to woodwork, creating the lush appearance of oak at a fraction of the price. If you are new to painting, practice on a few pieces of scrap wood before moving on to your cabinets or floors.

Primer
Paintbrushes, 2 to 3 inches wide
Light brown glaze
Rag
Darker brown glaze
Small paintbrush or texture stamps
Reference photos or wood samples
Urethane or varnish

Instructions

- 1
  Apply two thin coats of primer to the surface that you are painting, allowing each coat to dry fully.
- 2
  Apply a light brown glaze to the surface, brushing it on randomly.
- 3
  Drag a clean brush through the wet glaze to begin establishing a grain direction (typically vertical). Wipe off the bristles after every stroke. Use this technique until the entire surface is lightly streaked.
- 4
  Allow the glaze to dry for 24 hours.
- 5
  
  Exposed heart grain in oak
  
  Apply a darker glaze to establish the heart grain. This can be done by hand with a small brush, or with store-bought grain stamps or rollers. If you are unfamiliar with using these tools, practice on a piece of scrap wood before moving on to your project. Photos of oak grains (or pieces of actual oak) can be very useful guides for this step.
- 6
  Allow the glaze to dry for 24 hours.
- 7
  Apply a coat of urethane or varnish to protect your work. Allow it to dry fully. Drying times will vary with the product used.

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