Q: How Do I Paint a Faux Wood Finish over Paint-grade Trim?
A: Mask off the trim and apply primer if it’s not already on. After it dries, paint the trim with the lightest color tone that appears in the wood you’re trying to copy. Once dry, pour a little wood stain in a small container. Using an inexpensive chip brush (with sparse bristles), dip the tip into the stain and tap it against the inside of the container to shed any drips. Hold the brush perpendicular to the trim and skid the ends of the bristles lightly over the surface, only partially applying the stain and leaving visible brush marks to mimic the wood grain. You can add a few swirls to mimic knots in the grain. Continue along the trim piece, blending the edges of each section. At miter joints, mask the joint by taping along the miter seam.
