I’ve fallen in love with the Restoration Hardware Salvage Gray wood stain. But, try as I might, I haven’t found a pre-mixed stain that produces the same look. That never deterred me, and I don’t like to give up. Therefore, I created my own recipe for approximating that Restoration Hardware Weathered Gray stain. You may have seen this beautiful gray stain on my Sports Gear Storage Shelves the other day. Because I love you and I love to share, here is the DIY Restoration Hardware Weathered Gray Stain Recipe.
Materials:
- Minwax Provincial Stain
- Old sock
- Rubber gloves
- Fine sanding sponge
- Paint brush
- Clean rag
Glaze:
- 1 part Valspar Arid Plains
- 3 parts Valspar Clear Glaze
- Jar with lid
DIY Restoration Hardware Weathered Gray Stain Recipe Instructions:
Premix your glaze in a jar or bottle. 1 Part Valspar Arid Plains with 3 parts Valspar clear glaze.
Sand your wood smooth. Put on a rubber glove and slip an old sock over the glove. Dip you hand into the stain and wipe the stain onto your wood. Always wipe on stain with the grain.
After the first coat has dried, repeat by adding a second coat of Minwax Provincial stain. Let the stain dry.
Lightly sand the wood before applying the glaze.
Dip your paint brush into the glaze and paint on top of the stained wood.
Wipe off excess glaze.
And now you have a beautiful warm weathered gray stain.
Pin this graphic to share with friends:
You might also like:
Faux Weathered Gray Wood Grain Tutorial
Hopefully some day Restoration Hardware will sell their beautiful weathered gray stain pre-mixed. Until then, you can always DIY it!
Pin for later!
I love this stain! Thanks for the DIY concoction – it turned out great! 🙂
I definitely pinned this one. Looks amazing Brittany!
Ohhh, I love this stain, a real keeper & thanks for this tutorial. X
Thanks for the great, easy recipe! It’s beautiful. Pinned it for later 🙂
This looks amazing. Thanks for sharing this idea and I will definitely try this out. Happy new year to you and your family!
I have standard, builders grade bi-fold doors that are painted white that I would like to transform. What are your thoughts on trying this technique realizing that there will not be any wood grain that shows through.
MJ, you may have to paint the doors a medium solid color first. You might want to look at my tutorial for faux wood graining this table. I’d use a similar technique: http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/faux-finish-weathered-wood-grain/
I was wondering if this would work on wood paneling. It is already brown just wondering if I just glazed over it with paint I would get this effect? It would probably be darker since the paneling is darker..maybe pick a lighter gray paint for the glaze?
If you use a more solid mixture of the paint and glaze you’ll get more coverage going over the dark paneling. Experiment with a small section first.
How do you think this stain would work on unfinished ruff sawn red fir?
Mike, you might need to test it in an inconspicuous spot first. Stain will react and color differently with each new wood.
I randomly stumbled across this page looking for how to do a gray wash. I used it on a shoe rack and it looks amazing! I just had Lowe’s do a sample size of the paint and it was more than enough. Thanks for this!
I love this! I want this look but a bit darker.. Would you just use a shade darker paint?
This is awesome! Would I need to add anything else if I’m using this stain on outdoor furniture?
I would definitely add a layer of varnish or polyurethane for exterior protection.
Perfect! Thanks so much for your quick response!
What does the glaze do? Wondering, would I follow same steps for tabletop? And poly after?
The glaze keeps the color transparent and allows you time to work with before it dries.
The paint sample listed is a tannish color, how does the gray wash come into effect?
Leah, this is the color I used. Did you have it mixed up? The color displayed on your screen may not match the actual color. It is a warm gray.
Hi, I just used this on a kitchen table the I built myself, and I wondered the same thing. Yes, it looks tan in the jar, but once it is on the stain, the colors combine to give it a a natural gray wood finish. Its amazing how much it changes the stain color! I was really worried when I got the stain on there, then saw the paint. But I followed her directions, and it really does work. Just fyi, I used 2 coats of wood conditioner (a MUST if it is a soft wood), then 2 coats of stain, then I applied this mixture with a large brush, put on a thin coat, then after just a few minutes rubbed off the excess- it gave it a more subtle look. The glaze also lightens the color of the stain quite a bit, but, yes, it really does work.
Oh, And they do still sell Valspar Arid Plains- it’s paint number 6007-2A, and the glaze is in a smaller jar now. Good luck!
Hi! Trying to do a large tabletop, and am having trouble with “streaks” when I wipe the glaze off…. Any suggestions ?? HELP please 🙁
Paige, how about trying to use a large dry brush instead. That way most of it will stay on the table. Also try mixing more glaze and less paint to see if that helps.
Would this work on a Cherry wood table?
I’d use a primer first and paint a base color before trying to add the “stain”. You may actually want to try this tutorial instead: http://www.prettyhandygirl.com/faux-finish-weathered-wood-grain/
I see that you posted Valspar Arid Plains is no longer available. What do you use in its place?
Sorry that was a mistake, I meant to say the glaze may no longer be available. But, there are plenty of other brands of clear glazes.
Love this! If I use a wood conditioner first, will this process work on pine? Somehow, I find myself surrounded by pine.
What wood was used in these pictures? We are making a bunk bed (restoration hardware hack) with white wood and wondered if this stain would look the same on it.
The shelves are plywood (birch) and the wall is also birch plywood underlayment.
Hi! I’m about to do this tomorrow! What does 1 part & 3 parts mean? Whats the exact measurements to add in of both?
It’s the ratio. If you use 1 cup of arid plains, you’ll used 3 cups of the glaze. This way you can mix your own quantities.
Can you seal this with a matte sealant? Thanks
Can this method be used to restore 100year old oak hardwood flooring
Leslie, I’d probably stick with only stains for your floor. The glaze probably won’t hold up to the traffic on a floor.
Hello! Thanks for sharing this technique, your project looks awesome! I have a laminate dining room table and it has a few spots where the laminate has “lifted” off. Can I still do this if I just lightly sand the table or does this only work with real wood surfaces?
You are going to need to use this technique (which uses paints instead of stains): https://www.prettyhandygirl.com/faux-finish-weathered-wood-grain/