Faux Wood Panels!

by JasonF205

12K9022

Intro: Faux Wood Panels!

So a friend had a garage door in her business that everyone would see and needed to dress it up. It had to be super light weight so the door would still open. This is an easy fun project and can be used in many applications.

STEP 1: Let's Get Started!

1. Cut the panels to size (all depends on where you will use them) I used the straight edge (I used a drywall T) to draw out my cut lines then used a razor knife to cut out the panels.

2. Using the straight edge and a sharpie I start to lay out the board pattern. I kept it sort of random with some boards being wider. The idea is that these are recycled barn boards, old and half dried out.

3. Now I start to draw out the wood pattern on each board, I start out with the knot and then draw a random pattern extending away from the knot and keeping the lines about a 1/2 inch from each other. Easy once you get the hang of it.

STEP 2: Carving Out the Pattern.

1. Using my soldering gun on a medium setting with the pointed tip I was able to "glide" the tool through the pattern.....gotta keep moving or the tool will melt the foam deeper and wider. I would suggest using a scrap piece first to get the hang of how fast or slow you will need to go. I melt the tool tip in about half way. This looks a bit strange at this point I know.

STEP 3: Time for Some Fine Detail!

Be sure to get a wood wire brush, I started out with a plastic one and when I heated up the wire it melted and the wire came out!

1. I set the torch on medium and heated up the wire brush. You should only need to heat it for 30 sec or so.

2.While the wire is hot start out at the end of each "board", angle the brush at about a 45 and slowly drag across letting the wires melt in. Be sure to "wiggle" the brush slowly now and then. Just keep repeating this step until you get the desired effect. This will also help "harden" the foam. The brush will also open up some of the carved lines and give it a much more natural aged look. Be sure to "sit" a bit longer on the ends of the boards as this will be where more aging would be.

STEP 4: Time for Finish Paint!

1. I used a very dark brown flat latex interior wall paint for the base, almost black and a thick roller to apply. Be sure to get paint into all of the grooves so that NO pink is showing...this is a pain as I found out! Every time I think it was good another angle would show a bit of pink!

2.Once you are sure the base has fully covered all of the pink and the panels are DRY it's time for the finish coats.

3.This will be a dry-brush technique. You will not need much paint for this step. Using a color several shades lighter, dip just the end of the brush into the paint...using a scrap bit of foam or cardboard brush the pain on until it's just about all off the brush.

4. VERY lightly in the opposite direction of the "grain" brush across, do small sections at a time. This should go fast but be careful not to add to much paint. I also add a few other colors such as a bit of green in a few boards.

STEP 5: Finish It!

After the dry brushing is done on all of the panels I set them in sunlight to "check" for light spots or where I may need another color. That's about it...you can use any color as a top dry brush coat. Next time we are doing a wall and will have different staggered colored boards, red and grey.

STEP 6: Install!

I used power grip to glue the panels to the door...just a few dabs was plenty and there is no "wait" time once you press the panels on. Most important the power grab will not eat into the foam.This is very light weight and easy to work with! Have fun!!

19 Comments

eka1 4 years ago

This is brilliant and gorgeous!! I’m deff copying for my bathroom overhaul !! Thanks a bunch for sharing

theguido 4 years ago

Really good stuff. Certainly takes the stark edge off a typical garage door and makes it much less noticable.

dainsworth 4 years ago

Looks great! A beat-up wire brush dragged across the surface of the foam makes for an excellent wood grain effect. Jam the tip of the brush into the foam and twist to create knots.

dsstrainer 4 years ago

I love how creative this idea is!

gunnerjake81 4 years ago

I was going to comment about the dangers of adding weight to garage doors and was instantly impressed with your creativity. Great work!

altomic 4 years ago

nice instructable. i'm not going to faux-get it

sheba92766 4 years ago

That was freakin' cool! This is one of my most favorite Instructables. This could be used in so many applications. Thank you for sharing.

Denzelian 4 years ago

Nicely done! Plus it will help insulate the room it's in, so it's practical as well as decorative.

PaulChau 4 years ago

Wow, it looks like you really spent a lot of effort on this mate! It looks really great after you've coloured it in and worked out the grooves! The final look is really quite impressive and it's something you're going to be proud of having in your house now!

Eh Lie Us! 4 years ago

what kind of witchcraft is this?!? Freaking amazing work. I'd would have added a little 1/2 nest. Or an owl peeking out of tree cavity! :) Thanks for posting.

Penolopy Bulnick 4 years ago

This looks great and I love how it looks with the faux brick :)

rch 4 years ago

Very nice! These turned out quite well.

Mimikry 4 years ago

these turned out great - cool project!

XRay7 4 years ago

Me: "What an insanely great idea! How can anyone be so creative?"
...
Me: "Oh. It's my already-favorite faux-brick-wall-garage man again. - Well, that explains everything!" :D

Really cool! Hard to believe there's still pink foam underneath there somewhere. :D

JasonF205 4 years ago

Thank you very much! I mostly build Halloween stuff but this was fun!