How to Make�Faux Burls

DICK HOFFMANN

Agenda

• Why make faux burls?
• A quick review of 3 methods
• 2 demonstrations

Background

• An individual was transporting desk and credenza

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• Both tops slid off the truck onto the road, putting major scratches in the burl tops

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• The estimated repair cost was over $1000, just a 4’x8’ burl veneer cost over $800.

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• Turns out the burl was 1/8” thick and the scratches could be sanded out.

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• However some areas sanded through the burl so a repair was needed …. hence “faux burl”

Examples

Examples

What you will Need

• Any smooth surface
• Masonite
• Plywood
• Wood
• Paper/Cardboard
• Burnt Orange Latex Paint
• Spray Shellac
• Oil based stain
• Light shade
• Medium shade
• Dark shade
• Mineral spirits

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• Thin plastic bag
• 2 clean small rags (10”x6”)
• Japan dry (accelerates drying of oil based products)
• Brushes
• 2-3 sizes of round stencil brushes
• 2-3 sizes of chip brush (natural china bristles)
• Soft round brush
• 2 small artist brush (round or flat)
• 3-4” soft flat (flogger)
• 1” graining brush
• Rags + ½” dowel rod
• Sponge (with large holes –natural if available)

Brushes

Stencil brushes

Chip brushes with natural china bristles

Soft Round

Artist Flat or Round

Brushes

Soft

4” Flogger

Micro

Graining

Method 1: Making a knotty burl

Step 1: Prepare Surface�

• Cover surface with burnt orange latex

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• Slip coat it with spray Shellac

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• Shellac keeps latex from absorbing the stain

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Step 2: Establish Color Base�

• Paint dots of non-overlapping different color oil stains

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Step 2: Establish Color Base�

• Paint mineral spirits between dots.

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Step 3: Establish Color Base�

• Crumple thin plastic bag and stamp with twisting motion.
• Tilt board back and forward to get colors to run just a little

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Step 4: Add Knots and Gain

• Use stencil brush to add knots with twist in darker areas

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Step 5: Add Knots and Gain

• Use small chip brush to paint gain around knots

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Step 5: Soften

• Soften the grain by tapping areas with tip of round soft brush add small dots

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• Lock with spray shellac

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Step 7: Add Wash Coat

• Cover with one of the stain colors

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• Wipe off most of the color

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• Smooth color to be even without lines

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• Lock with spray shellac

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Method 2: Making tiger wood�(Demo)

Step 1: Lay down a dark glaze coat on the background�

Step 2: Use Flogger with slapping motion to �remove most of the glaze, then lock with shellac.�

Grain detail

Step 3: Apply a dark glaze again.

Step 4: Roll with towel wrapped dowel to remove areas of the glaze.�

Method 3: Making a Mappa burl�(demo)

Step 1: Flood the surface with colored areas and turn the board to create runs �(soft bushes can be used to help stain run)�

• Step 2: Use a crumpled plastic bag with a twist motion to create texture

Step 3: Add darker areas and small dots and drag sponge to create gain�

Step 4: Add grain with grain brush

Step 5: Cover with a glaze coat and lock with shellac

Demos …..��I just hope they turn out as planned!

Wisdom from my mistakes:

• Success rate is about 50%
• Don’t overdue the dark spots……….less is better
• Mistakes can wipe off with a rag and started again

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reuse a board by sanding and repainting the base color

• Don’t add stain to almost dried stain or solvent rings will appear
• Even with the best intent, and identical technique, no two burls come out the same

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Questions