How to Use a Graining Tool For Faux Wood Paint Finish

I’m currently updating an old metal Target shelving unit. I’ve already spray-painted the metal frame, and now it’s time to give the plywood shelves a faux wood finish with a bold, visible grain.

I’m very familiar with faux wood techniques—if there’s a method out there, I’ve likely tried it. In the past, I’ve used paint and dark wax to create a weathered wood effect on smooth laminate surfaces.

I’ve also shared how I learned to enhance wood grain using spackle, also known as joint compound, to achieve a rustic wood look. Yes, spackle. Today, I’m showing how to create a faux wood finish using a wood graining tool. These tools are incredibly effective and easy to work with—once you know the right technique. Let me walk you through it.

How to Use a Wood Graining Tool for a Faux Wood Paint Finish

Using a wood graining tool is simpler than it may seem. In fact, even beginners can achieve great results with this technique.

The first step is choosing the type of medium you want to work with.

Can You Use Stain With a Graining Tool?

A graining tool can be used with almost any type of medium, including stain. However, stains usually do not produce a very strong grain effect unless you are using a stain that stays on the surface, such as a gel stain.

There is a product called Liquid Wood that contains fine particles of real wood blended into paint. I have used it with a graining tool on an old folding table and then finished it with stain, and the result turned out very well.

I considered using the Retique It Liquid Wood product for this project, but ultimately decided to see what could be achieved using paint alone.

After choosing your medium, apply one or two coats to the surface.

While the paint is still wet, begin at one end of the surface. Hold the rubber graining tool at roughly a 45-degree angle and pull it through the paint or stain, gently rocking it back and forth until you reach the opposite edge.

Always move the tool in the direction the wood grain should run. If the surface does not already have a visible grain, choose the most natural direction. For vertical surfaces, the grain typically runs vertically, and for horizontal surfaces, it runs horizontally.

Make a single, smooth pass and do not lift the graining tool until you reach the edge.

If you make a mistake or are unhappy with the result, simply brush over the surface with paint and start again.

Note: For a more interesting effect, apply a dark base coat first, then add a lighter color on top while the base coat is still fairly wet. This takes some experimentation to get the timing right. As you pull the graining tool through the layers, it draws the darker color through the lighter one, creating a distinct and appealing grain effect.

What Surfaces Can You Use a Wood Graining Tool On?

As long as the paint or stain medium will adhere to the surface you’re working on, a Imitation wood graining tool can be used on just about any surface. This faux wood grain technique can be applied to nearly any type of material.

As mentioned earlier, I used this method on a plastic folding table, and it turned out great.

Note: The thicker the paint or stain, the more pronounced the wood grain effect will be.