[mastercraftdec]

I've been graining since becoming an apprentice to my father in 1978, although I remember getting the first shiver down my spine watching him work when I was about seven. Boy have I got some tools that on opening the box history fills your eyes and lungs, it's a pleasure to go to work.
Alas it is a dying trade and graining projects become less frequent due to advances in technology but I would be interested to hear your methods 'over there'
I grain in oil ,spirit and water and would be happy to pass on any hints just because I'm a good guy, or maybe because youll have to travel a long way to steal my trade to anyone wishing to add another string to their bow.
Boiled or raw? beer or milk? wipe out or grain in?
Cheers

 

[Brenda]

I woodgrain with an tinted oil primer used as a base coat, use oil gel stains and topcoat with polyurethane. If it's embossed woodgrain I usually brush on stain and wipe with a rag, going back over with an artist brush to highlight woodgrains.
If it's a smooth surface I use a woodgraining tool and lightly brush out for blending.
I hope there are others that will share, there is always something to learn.
Brenda

 

[Exroadog]

I grain with raw linseed, mixed with turps, use beer glaze when flogging my mahogany, usually grain in but do wipe out too...oak and that. I was trained by a Scot!

 

[reveivl]

Wow, I'm impressed... Can we see some more examples? Rich.

 

[reveivl]

I remember my sister in Bristol, England stripping down a couple of grained doors when she was redecorating her house. Couldn't believe it, they were gorgeous. They never looked that good again. Rich.

 

[Exroadog]

Mahogany ...base coated, flogged with beer glaze, then 10 minutes later grained with oil (raw), next day over grained with beer again, 10 minutes later varnish. This ones the money maker!!!

 

[Brenda]

Impressive stuff Exroadog!
What is beer glaze?

 

[Exroadog]

You use stale beer (the UK. people prefer Guinness) thin it down to about 1 part beer, 3 parts water and you use guache paint for colour. The beauty of this system is that its dry in a few minutes, then you go oil on top. And, if you dont like the effect of graining or over graining with this beer glaze, you just wipe it off (before you put oil or varnish on ) with a damp sponge and try again. very user friendly. Its the "old" way, been done for centurys in europe.

 

[ProWallGuy]

You use stale beer (the UK. people prefer Guinness) thin it down to about 1 part beer, 3 parts water and you use guache paint for colour. The beauty of this system is that its dry in a few minutes, then you go oil on top. And, if you dont like the effect of graining or over graining with this beer glaze, you just wipe it off (before you put oil or varnish on ) with a damp sponge and try again. very user friendly. Its the "old" way, been done for centurys in europe.

My Grandfather gave me a couple old recipes like this. He used to take a steel file cabinet or door, and grain it to whatever type of wood you wanted. Very impressive stuff. Wish I had time/patience/clientele requests to learn this stuff.
I use the guache to color roll ends of dark or problem wall paper.

 

[color alchemist]

yea here i am a grainer my teacher was Bill holgate of england lets talk shop [email protected] john

 

[Workaholic]

Great pics Exroaddog. I am always impressed by graining.