Restoration Primer: The Art of Graining

The Art of Graining by Nat Weinstein Graining is one of the most useful decorating techniques an old-house restorer can master. It can hide a multitude of sins-damaged doors or woodwork, or furniture not worthy of stripping-and it is an authentic traditional treatment for painted surfaces. As in finger painting, graining uses a semitransparent paint, streaked to produce an interesting design. But in graining, the design imitates the appearance of natural wood. One of the easiest grains to imitate is walnut. A sample piece of finished walnut should be kept nearby as a guide. We will proceed step-by-step in preparing, undercoating, and graining a small piece of furniture. The principles apply to other wood grains and types of woodwork as well. Unfinished or stripped