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Hey all

I'm getting near to the point where I can start painting the project I'm currently working on, a Warhammer Fantasy Inn replica. It has balsa wood on it (and will get some more attached to it). I'm wondering how best to go about painting some of it though?

For the timber frames I believe I can just slap black/dark coloured paint on and drybrush it.

However there are going to be some parts, like the wood store round the back, and possibly a little shack on one side, made from thin sheet balsa that I'd like to achieve a more grey/worn/weathered wood look on.

I've seen people use a wire brush to add wood grain to balsa wood. But I don't have one, yet, and I'm wondering if in the meantime I can achieve the same look without using a wire brush, by just using the grain on the balsa wood itself.


Can I get away with airbrushing paint onto balsa wood or should I use a hairy stick? Should I thin the paint to be more like an ink wash?

Anyone here with experience with working with balsa wood for terrain able to offer some advice on this?

Thanks in advance.

I only have a tiny bit of from my experience, so for what it's worth.
I have had NO luck with trying to use the grain of balsa wood as it is. I have tried stains, watered down colors soaked in, etc. First off, any area even touched by glue will be textured as the glue and cause problems with the overall look (and thin balsa, glues can soak right through)

I have used the wire brush to set up a drybrushable (hmmm may have made a word up...) texture. I do warn, the wire brush needs some thickness for it to work well.

I have had some luck painting wood grain on, but my skill level only goes so far.

I cannot help with the airbrush, I do not use one.

Good luck and I hope you share this in progress etc. Always looking for ideas and techniques.

the wood will have a natural grain. you can enhance it with anything sharp. I used my medical scalpels when I made my prancing pony inn. but you could use a kitchen knife, a staney knife, the point of a drawing compass, your cocaine fingernail (JK) but you get my point.. anything sharp. you dont need a stiff wire brush to give it texture. just take your time and be meticulous.

Wait, if you want miniature wood grain effect, real word is a poor choice.

Balsa wood is awesome because it is so easy to work with. Dont need special wood tools and precision jigs. Just a ruler and a hobby knife.

If you still want wood grain texture I would not want to waste balsa wood, Id rather use insulation foam, wirebrush textures it very easily, and it is cheaper than the balsa wood.

Honestly, I used balsa wood as is, and just paint it, it looks good to me.
picture from unfinished project that I will be getting back to soon-ish

(How to achieve wood floorboards and wood effect on Styrofoam)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ybYM6l2igGI

PERFECT!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NK9Nv_wvb0M