I Got (Foam) Wood!

[DrUnK3n_PaNdA]

So there seems to be few techniques out there to make good old insulation foam look like wood. Usually it involves carving out a wood grain with a tool of your choice (usually a hot knife or dremel.) This takes a long time and can give varied results. It also looks very stylized and not very real (which isn't always bad!)

Today, by complete and total accident I discovered a new way of making a wood texture on insulation foam that is realistic enough to make me start thinking about beginning my treasure chest I already completed this year from scratch...

So how, you might ask, do you turn normal insulation foam into this:

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/885/unled1wg.jpg
(Actual finished product)

Well it all starts with a BBQ Scrubber. You know those metal bristled brushes you use from cleaning off the burned meaty bits that get stuck to your BBQ grill? That's the one. Just give your foam piece a good firm scrubbing with it. Move the brush in one direction, go back over as many times as you'd like. It looks most realistic if you add a bit of a wave as well.

After you get your grain looking how you desire there's only one step left to go, apply a light coat of stain. From there you can finish it however you'd like for indoor or outdoor use.

http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/8505/img0914q.jpg

(The foam and brush in question)

[Allen H]

Looks great! idea pilfered in true pirate fashion!

[Sawtooth Jack]

Gonna try this technique as well! I'm hoping to start some wooden planks this weekend.

[Bone Dancer]

I have seen this method used to make texture on styrofoam to make brick surfaces. This seems to be a little finer in texture and looks very good. Nice job. Thanks for sharing.

[debbie5]

This is so cool. Did you put the stain on in streaks, or did it just take like that on its own?

[Frighteners Entertainment]

I works well, did the same thing for the frightfest facade last year.

[hauntedkimmy]

Very cool!! Great job, looks so realistic!

[Spooky1]

Nice simple but effective method, thanks for the post.

[DrUnK3n_PaNdA]

This is so cool. Did you put the stain on in streaks, or did it just take like that on its own?

Nope. I just put it on flat. The streaky lines are from lines that got doubled-over with the brush.

The stain I used was Minwax Dark Walnut in case anyone was curious. It's one of the darker ones they make. I'm sure a lighter stain would work too, but you'd have to paint the foam first, I imagine.

[IMU]

Very simple but very convincing!

[tuck]

Great idea. This will save me lots of time building my cemetery sign this year...thanks!

[Lady Nyxie]

Quick and easy. I like it.

[hpropman]

Nice job looks great!

[CreeepyCathy]

great job on that! :)

[scareme]

So how, if I might ask, do you turn normal insulation foam into this: Oh I see.

Wow, that turned out great. and a fast, easy tutorial too. Thanks.

[Dixie]

That is a MUCH finer and more realistic texture than anything that I have come up with for woodgrain, thanks so much for sharing your technique!