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.
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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!
In reply to Nancy .
It doesn’t matter. As long as all the stains are the same (oil or water-based).
In reply to Brittany Bailey .
Does the stain and glaze have to be either oil or water based or does it not matter?
In reply to Carmen Hamlett .
You are going to need to use this technique (which uses paints instead of stains): https://prettyhandygirl.com/faux-finish-weathered-wood-grain/
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?
In reply to leslie .
Leslie, I’d probably stick with only stains for your floor. The glaze probably won’t hold up to the traffic on a floor.
Can this method be used to restore 100year old oak hardwood flooring
Can you seal this with a matte sealant? Thanks
In reply to Hannah .
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.
Hi! I’m about to do this tomorrow! What does 1 part & 3 parts mean? Whats the exact measurements to add in of both?
In reply to Leah .
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!