How to Paint Wood Grain on Concrete

Loosen dirt and scuff the surface of the concrete by sanding over it lightly. Vacuum the loose material. Wash over the concrete with a mild cleaner and water. Allow the concrete to dry.

Apply a coat of primer over the concrete to seal the surface of the concrete and prepare it to hold paint. Leave the primer to dry for two to four hours, or longer, until the floor is completely dry.

Paint over the surface of the concrete with your tan colored or lighter shade of brown paint. Allow the base coat to dry for four to six hours. Inspect the base coat to see that you have fully covered the primer. If necessary, apply a second coat and allow it to dry for four to six hours.

Paint a small 2-by-2-foot section of the concrete using a paintbrush loaded with your brown paint. Run the brush in one direction the way wooden planks would run parallel. Rock the graining tool back and forth slowly as you pull it slowly over the surface of the fresh brown paint in the same direction as you painted.

Continue Step 4 until the entire 2-foot square painted area has had the wood grain created. Drag the thin edge of a putty knife down the area two to three times, if desired, to make the look of gaps between individual boards. Alternate between using a rocking graining tool and a graining comb to get different wood grain effects, if desired.

Repeat Steps 4 and 5 to create wood grain look over the entire concrete surface. If desired, rotate the directions you are brushing on the paint and dragging the graining tool for a checkerboard effect. Let the paint dry for 24 hours.

Coat the thoroughly dry paint with a clear sealant with a clean paint roller to protect the paint and add a glossy shine to the floor like freshly finished wood. Leave the sealant to dry for 24 hours before walking on the floor or moving furniture and rugs into the room.