How do I paint my kitchen cabinets and add a wood grain finish to them?
I want to paint my kitchen cabinets a dark cherry oak with a faux wood grain. I have heard that I need to buy 3 colors – 1) a darker color for the base, 2) a middle color for the wood grain, and 3) a light color for the finish. Do I paint the cabinet the base color, then use the wood graining tool to paint the middle color, and then finally finish it with the lightest color.
Yes, you’ve got the right idea. Make sure you let each coat fully cure before applying the next one. And its helpful to seal it all up with a clear coat at the very end – this will prevent fading and make it easier to clean.
Edited to add some links; the third one is a video from HGTV
try asking at paint stores.
As magickal said, I believe you mean stain though, and each process is time consuming and must dry between coats, a light sanding with triple 000 steel wool, upon completion will really make a smooth surface also. Good Luck and enjoy your cabinets facelift
As I do this for a living- best advice is to look up the way to do this, then go and look at a piece you are trying to copy for color. You rarely end up with the lightest color. But type in faux wood graining if this site does not help. http://www.faux-paintingtechniques.com/wood_graining.html
Some years ago there were kits of the three different paints to use for this purpose. I don’t know if they are still available. I have used this and it looks very good.Follow the directions on the box.