Faux Finishing Molding

The polyurethane molding and accent features can be painted or stained. The video below shows a simple but very effective technique to replicate a wood finish on our polyurethane moldings. The same process can be used for staining ceiling medallions, corbels, and any of our other polyurethane products. This technique only requires a stain of your choice, a brush (2" or 3" are good choices), and a little time. For large runs of molding you can speed the faux finishing process up by spraying the first coat. We recommend spraying through an airless sprayer. After spraying, you can drag your paint brush through the wet coating to establish the wood grain.

1. Apply the first coat fairly thin. You want to just color the molding at this point. Spraying this first coat will give you the most even results, but you should still drag your paint brush through the wet stain. Don't make this perfect. Wood grain moves all over and is pretty random. This will be the lightest color your finish will be, it will only get darker form here. Let this coat dry completely before applying the second coat.
   
2. Apply the second coat with either a brush or spray it on. This coat needs to go on thicker than the first. We'll be taking some of this back off with our brush strokes, but we want the stain to pool in the recessed areas of the molding to give the molding depth. If your using this technique on a molding such as the AB108, the randomness of your brush strokes are going to be the highlight of your finish. Don't be afraid to experiment. Nature isn't perfect so if you have imperfections it can give it a more natural look. Allow this coat to completely dry before proceeding.
   
3. After the second coat is dry we recommend you clear coat your finish. Stains are not very durable by themselves. A good polyurethane clear in a gloss of you choice is your best option.
   
4. Install the molding as you normally would. Use a little stain to touch up areas that need it after installation.