Woodgrain, my nemesis

[Mence]

Chaps.

With the arrival of the Aerosedan, i now have three 'woodies' in my very modest stash.

Apart from the obvious connection, the other thing they share in common is they won't get built...because of the wood and my current inability to replicate anything like it should be!

I have read the threads in this section and while very useful, my issue is a more fundamental one, what base colour should i start with?

The styrene already has a grain so that is one issue out the way, i just need a good base to closely match fresh / well maintained wood.

Being this side of the pond, the suggestions need to be from a widely available source, not a craft shop in the back end of nowhere please.

Any thoughts, post away...

M.

[JEFF]

Mence, the Vallejo Panzer Aces line has two colors that might help you out. 311, New Wood and 310, Old Wood.

I used them both on a Rail car with good success.

The grain was molded into the parts, like yours . I used a dark brown oil wash to bring it out. Being Vallejo they should be available to you.

Hope that helps.

[Mence]

Hey Jeff, no idea these two existed, I can see them helping greatly with a splash of white.

Thank you my friend, very much appreciated.

[Ernie]

Tamiya Deck Tan is also a good light base color to start with, then add oil washes etc. Also, Mig Ammo and AK interactive as well as Lifecolor all make wood color sets that have various complimentary colors for the base and graining, each set has several colors in it. If you have access to those, one of those sets could be a one stop solution for you.

[JCON]

Mence I will throw in an oddball idea as it is what I use for wood... I paint the base light tan, then when totally dry I go over it with actual wood stain (available in any hardware store in small cans in all shades light to dark) lightly with a wide brush to streak it... let it dry, seal it with a dull or gloss coat and voila, wood... 

The wooden wings in a dark walnut:







Dash, steering wheel and side panels in a light oak:

[JCON]

Pics are on there now Prof!!!

[Deleted]

For me it was hard, But when I lived in NY for 2yrs I took a ceramics class with my wife, yes I am married legally but I haven't seen her since 2013, Anyways I learned the art of dry brushing and it has helped me for this very reason. a couple of my pics from the bed floor I did on my 55 Ford truck ill finish someday. It's up in the street Rod workbench section

[BUCKY]

There are also wood grain decals available:


There is also the dry brushing technique I used on the furniture van:


It works very well with raised texture on a model kit. This truck had that texture.
I used an article in Scale Auto Magazine from October, 1996 for this job.

[Mence]

Nice one all, really appreciate all your input, i think i need to get a few paints and have a go now.

[JCON]

That is what we are hoping for Prof!!! I figured if you wouldn't I would ask Mandy to build them, lol!!!

[BUCKY]

It shouldn't be too difficult. The furniture truck was my first ever effort at dry brushing wood grain. I was sufficiently chuffed with the results.