How to Paint a Wood Grain Effect on a Wall

Wash the walls with a solution of 1/8 cup trisodium phosphate in 1 gallon warm water. Use a clean cloth and start at the top of the wall and work downward. Allow the walls to dry for several hours. Trisodium phosphate is a highly alkaline cleaner used by professional painters to remove grease and grime from walls. Substitute a mild, all-purpose cleaner or dish soap if you prefer.

Remove furniture from the room and cover floors with a tarp to protect them from paint splatters. Secure painter's tape to baseboards and trim to protect them from paint.

Dab a bit of painter's putty in small holes and imperfections with a putty knife. Wipe the surface with the putty knife to level it out. Allow the putty to dry and sand it smooth.

Sand the walls lightly with sandpaper to remove surface imperfections and abrade the surface slightly for better paint adhesion. Wipe the walls with a damp cloth. Apply a primer and allow it to dry.

Paint the walls with a base coat and allow it to dry for 24 hours. When choosing paint for this project, choose two shades in the same color family. Choose a light color for the base coat and a slightly darker color for the faux wood pattern. The bigger the contrast between shades, the bolder the effect.

Make the top coat by mixing one part enamel glaze, one part paint -- in the darker shade -- and two parts water in a bucket. Stir the mixture carefully until it is thoroughly mixed.

Apply the top coat to the wall in 12-inch sections, using a roller. Starting at the top of the area, firmly drag the faux wood tool down the wall, rocking it once to create a knotted wood effect. To make a wood grain effect, drag a comb tool across the top coat, working from the top to the bottom of the wall. Alternate two or three rows of wood grain with one or two rows of knotted wood for the most natural look.