How to Make a Faux Barnwood Crate

Want to create the look of barnwood? The tools are in your kitchen and garage. Learn how to create a faux barnwood crate in this video by Better Homes and Gardens:

For this DIY project, you will need steel wool, vinegar, strainer, jar, container, sandpaper, wood crate, rag, hammer, screwdriver, paint brush, gray paint, wax (optional) and paper towels (optional).

1. Tear up steel wool and put it in a jar. Fill the jar with vinegar to make a staining mixture.

2. Let the mixture sit for up to 2 days. If the vinegar turns red and rusty, you won’t get the desired gray finish.

3. Strain the vinegar into another container. Be sure to get out all of the steel wool.

4. Prepare the crate for the staining process by sanding and wiping it down. If you want an extra distressed look, use a hammer or screwdriver to add random dents and scratches.

5. Paint the staining mixture onto the wood and let it dry. The stain will gray over time; the finished stain will depend on the wood you are applying it to.

6. Paint the wood with gray paint. Use a dry brush or sponging technique to get a finish that’s uneven, like the weathered look of real barnwood. Let the paint dry for 24 hours.

7. If desired, wax the wood to soften the finish. Apply the wax in small sections, then wipe away with a paper towel.