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How to paint faux wood effect on internal doors?

I would like wooden doors and decided that painting them would be the cheapest option. I’m not sure what material the doors are made of, but definitely not solid wood. The inside looks cardboard-like or mdf. Unsure of the existing paint either, so I’ll probably just sand and prime, just to make sure the new paint sticks. The doors already have a faux wood grain texture, as shown in the photo. What is the best way to achieve a solid wooden door look?

should I still use a wood graining tool even though the doors already have faux wood grain?

what products should I use to achieve a similar wood colour to the one in my inspiration photo?

thanks!

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Comments

EricL

Hello @jaceyt

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your internal door.

Your absolutely correct the door is not made of solid wood and it does have a faux woodgrain texture. However, it does not have the woodgrain colour underneath it. The closest way you could get to that colour would be to paint it in a similar shade as wood. I'm not very familiar with the wood graining tool you've mentioned, but I worry that if it is a surface tool it might not be able to go into the cut-out sections of the door leaving you with an unfinished section.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1 and @Nailbag for their recommendations.

If you have any other questions we can help with, please let us know.

Eric

Dave-1

Good Evening @jaceyt

I recognise that faux woodgrain door 🙂 I have just repainted two of them and you are correct you will need to sand them back a little to make sure the new paint bonds, I would suggest and undercoat and then the final colouring you want. I painted my doors white and still the faux timber impression is there 🙂 Tho with the white it blends in which is what I wanted.

Maybe try on a seperate piece of scrap timber this idea.

Undercoat it then paint it white.

using a soft course sponge, with thined down paint wipe the door surface, let dry and wipe again as the effect builds up?

I have seen timber paint colouring when I have trolled through the paint aisle but trying to replicate the knots and bends is why I am suggesting a sponge. Not to dab but to do the fast curve or twist.

Dave

Nailbag

Hi @jaceyt

That faux effect is pretty standard with inset panelled hollow-core doors. Definitely don't extend yourself in attempting to make it moire "wood-grain"like than it already is. The chances are you will do more harm than good.

The door will be primed MDF, which means you can't stain it only paint. And there again I wouldn't put to much effort in as every layer of paint will increase the doors thickness. This will result in issues with door closing/latching.

This type of door really does lend itself to conventional painting finishes.

Nailbag

jaceyt

thanks very much for the suggestions

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