Olive Wood on a Pine Budget
Some of the most beautiful wood projects are those that emphasize the natural character of the wood. Acacia and Olive are two of my favorite species due to their intricate, variegated patterns. And as much as I would love to incorporate these striking woods into my DIY home projects, I’m definitely on a pine kind of budget. So here’s my take on faux olive wood!
Disclaimer: I receive no compensation for the links that I’ve provided. They are simply there to be a help to you.
Tools & Supplies
Orbital sander or detail sander
120, 150, and 220 grit sandpaper
Sanding sponge
Penetrating wood stain (or gel stain)
Small cloth for stain (scrap fabric or rag)
Oil based polyurethane, 1 quart (I used satin)
Oil based polyurethane + stain, 8 oz (I used Varathane’s Mission Oak)
Art paintbrush, round point tip (#15 or similar)
Tarps, as needed
Disposable cups, for mixing polyurethane
Tools & Supplies
Orbital sander or detail sander
120, 150, and 220 grit sandpaper
Sanding sponge
Penetrating wood stain (or gel stain)
Small cloth for stain (scrap fabric or rag)
Oil based polyurethane, 1 quart (I used satin)
Oil based polyurethane + stain, 8 oz (I used Varathane’s Mission Oak)
Art paintbrush, round point tip (#15 or similar)
Tarps, as needed
Disposable cups, for mixing polyurethane
I am creating a countertop for laundry room (really it’s more of a hallway) to make the space more usable. I thought this was the perfect place to test out my olive wood dupe.
Wood Prep
Before we jump into turning common pine wood into olive wood, let’s go over prep work. Sanding is crucial to the color interactions and smoothness of the final piece. I recommend using an orbital or detail (mouse) sander. Sand your wood thoroughly using the sandpaper in this order:
120 grit
150 grit
220 grit
Staining
Use a clean cloth to wipe off your piece of wood. Use a small cloth to apply the penetrating stain to your wood, following the instructions laid out on the back of the container. For my project, I used a golden stain to subtly highlight the natural woodgrain. Wait 24 hours before moving on to the next phase. Do not sand.
Finishing
This phase of the project is where the magic happens! Be sure your wood is set up in a clean, dust free space. While this phase is not especially labor intensive, you’ll need to leave a minimum of 6 hours between each coat so this may take a few days to complete. I’ve broken it down into layers:
First Clear Coat
Using your oil-based polyurethane, clear coat the wood. Use a thin layer.
Wait to dry 6+ hours then gently sand.
Tip: Wrap your sanding sponge in your 220 or 250 grit sandpaper and lightly sand between each layer of polyurethane. Clean wood with a slightly damp cloth to eliminate dust.
Base Color – Dark Mix
Create the base layer by painting on the 100% polyurethane + stain with the round art brush, following the natural grain of the wood. Experiment with this phase to find a technique you like! Twist the brush, adjust pressure, modify stain ratio, etc. to achieve an organic effect.
Wait to dry 6+ hours then gently sand. It might not be impressive at this point but be patient; the layering is what makes this method come to life!
Edge Effect – Medium Mix
In a disposable cup, mix 50% polyurethane with 50% polyurethane + stain. Paint over your base color with your medium mix. Then trace the edge with the paintbrush, overlapping past the base color shape by ½ to 1 inch.
Wait to dry 6+ hours then gently sand.
Edge Effect – Light Mix
In a disposable cup, mix 20% polyurethane with 80% polyurethane + stain. Paint over your base color and medium color with your light mix. Then trace the edge with the paintbrush, overlapping past the base color shape by ½ to 1 inch.
Wait to dry 6+ hours then gently sand.
Final Clear Coat
Using your oil-based polyurethane, clear coat the wood. Use a thin layer.
Tip: You may want to apply two final clear coats, depending on the usage of the wood.
Here’s the final result! I love how this turned out for my laundry room counter and I hope you enjoy creating this olive wood effect on your next DIY project.
