Wood graining

[jhowes]

I read somewhere several years go about wood graining but i don't know where. Now that i am ready to try it, i don't have any instructions. Does anyone have an information source for woodgrain ?

[1931 flamingo]

In the black bar above is a SEARCH function. Type in woodgrain or variations thereof, a treasure trove of previous posts will appear.
Paul in CT

[Synchro909]

I've done it but to get a good looking result takes practice. I firstly painted the surface with a coffee coloured paint, then with a ball about 1" diameter made out of tightly wound cheesecloth, I wiped on very dark brown (so dark it looks black inthe tin) printer's ink. Then a good coat of clear and the job's done.To get a burl like you would see in walnut, arrange for a spot where the ink is too thick, then GENTLY use compressed air to blow it into the desired knot.

[ronn]

many techniques- practice practice practice.

[holdover]

like everything else Google it, you'll find more than you wanted to know.

[fundytides]

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This company is at Hershey every year along with some others. I don't know anything about the quality of their service but what he had on display looks great.


http://www.woodgraining.com/

[1crosscut]

Fundytides link to Grain It is a good place to start. They have several videos that have some good information. I bought my set up from them and used it on my 1948 Chrysler Traveler. It took me a bit to get the hang of it but it turned out super nice. Still have more to go but the car is on the back burner for a while.

They sell different plates that have grain patterns on them that you squeegee ink on and then use a soft gum type roller to lift the pattern off of the plate and then transfer it to the piece your graining. You will need to transfer several prints to cover the piece blending them together each time. Takes a bit of practice to get the blending down pat but the ink is very forgiving as it doesn't dry super fast leaving the option of just wiping a portion or all of it off and giving it another go.
An important thing I learned that they for some reason don't cover in their instructions is applying the same amount of pressure each time when squeegeeing the ink onto the plate. If you don't keep the pressure the same each time the "tone" of the ink will vary.
I asked a lot of questions and bothered them by email and phone quite a bit while I was in the market for getting a kit. They were always willing to answer my questions.
On my second order from them one of the gum rollers I got just wasn't as nice as I thought it should be and when I called them to discuss it they with no quibbles at all sent me a new one straight away.

[Dick Carne]

I have wood-grained Model A interior mouldings for several cars, and have generally been very pleased with the end results using the Grain-it-Technologies plates and rollers. In my opinion, the initial costs involved to properly achieve desired results would probably be the same or quite probably less than sending these out to someone who might do these on a more frequent basis. Either way, in my opinion, the results are far better using the plate and transfer method than attempting to wipe or smear paints to create a desired grained effect. As Dave cited above, there are a number of techniques that become apparent once you might get started on this process (e.g. pressure consistencies, dealing with corners and recesses, transitioning/blending of grains from transfer to transfer, etc.) but this process is also somewhat "forgiving" given a little practice. There are a number of folks on Fordbarn who have used this process, and I am certain that any and all would be more than willing to provide specific thoughts and recommendations on any process going forward should you elect to use this process. Regardless, I wish you the best of success in your project ahead.

[Russ B]

Grain-it is what I used on my cabriolet. the process is supposedly the same as originally used on the Model A's. It takes a lot of practice to get the technique down, but it sure is satisfying to be able say you did it. Once you have practiced enough, it really is not hard to do, and the company has many videos on line to review. the cost is probably comparable to having someone else do a less authentic hand graining job.


a practice panel


a practice stamped panel

[Manuel]

Russ, in your bottom picture is that the original style wood graining for a 1933 Dodge dashboard? It seems to be lighter on the inside.

Cheers, Manuel in Oz

[Russ B]

Manuel, the bottom photo was just practice work as I was learning the Grain-it process. I was using several different grain patterns and colors and pin striping, nothing is like original to the best of my knowledge.

The following is my finished product on my modified 29 A cabriolet.

[History]

Wow Russ, that thing is beautiful!!!!

[Manuel]

Those interior colours look great Russ; the steering wheel, gear stick knob, dash board colours and from what I can see of the interior, look very harmonious. It's hard to believe its a Model A.

Manuel in Oz

[Russ B]

Originally Posted by Manuel

Those interior colours look great Russ; the steering wheel, gear stick knob, dash board colours and from what I can see of the interior, look very harmonious. It's hard to believe its a Model A.

Manuel in Oz

Thank you. I spent a lot of time testing colors and color combinations to get what I wanted. The upholstery shop had many sample books to go through as well.The gear stick knob was the only thing I had to live with, so I started with that and made sure everything was compatible with the colors in the knob. I have had the knob since I have had the car, 1958 or 1959. It is a soft stone so I sanded and polished it up. I gave the guy who cast the steering wheel rim, photos and fabric swatches, so he knew what colors to shoot for. I was a long process and i did not set any artificial deadlines. It is far from original in so many ways, but just what I wanted.

[PalAl]

Very nice Russ B

[wexford]

Here is some woodgraining my dad did

[PalAl]

Originally Posted by wexford

Here is some woodgraining my dad did

Wow, your Dad was very talented

[Oldbluoval]

Grain-it also does demonstrations at Hershey

[hop up]

We have a good book by Bob Dunham called Woodgraining a new approach.
Some beautiful woodgraining posted and amazing talent

[nkaminar]

Has anyone tried the vinyl sheet that has a wood pattern printed on it and has adhesive on the back side? I believe it will conform to curves with some heat. This is for a go not show car. See https://www.rvinyl.com/Wood-Vinyl-Films.