Step 1.

The first step is to sand down and make good the area/s you intend to grain. 

After, use a primer/sealer as your first coat (if applicable). 

With this example, I am priming an entertainment unit.  It was in a mahogany malamine finish. 

Step 2.

De-nib the area (lightly sand down without taking any primer off the surface), then use an eggshell finish paint, preferably two coats. 

This will be the base coat for your graining.  As illustrated in the picture, I am using a base coat colour for Light Oak. 

Entertainment unit finiahed with two coats of Oil Eggshell. 

Step 3.

Mix your oil scumble in the wood finish of your choice, with Linseed oil and/or white spirit. 

Then lightly apply the scumble on your area and using a flogging brush, take out all the brush marks. 

This is your first step to imitate the wood. 

Step 4.

Once the first coat has fully dried, you can lightly apply the second coat of scumble, ready to be grained. 

In this instance, I have imatated the grain of Light Oak. 

In addition to heart grain oak, I have applied a quarter grain on another entertainment unit. 

These two types of grain are typical of Oak and the finished product was remarkable!!