Hey, hey! My plan when I quit my 9-5 job in December was to publish one YouTube video a week. I’m failing miserably as I have hardly been able to get one up a month. Once I made this woodgrain tumbler I had to get a video tutorial up.
I’m going to show you how to make a woodgrain tumbler and I think you will be surprised at how easy it is to get the look. If you are lacking painting skills, don’t worry. This process does not require you to be an artist.
First let’s talk supplies
Woodgrain Tumbler Supplies
- Tumbler (I’m using a 30 ounce for this tutorial)
- Painters Tape
- Flat white spray paint
- 220 grit sand paper
- 600 grit sand paper
- Brown alcohol inks (I use two)
- Stiff bristle brush
- Clear Enamal spray
- Alumilite Clear Cast Epoxy
- Mixing cups for epoxy
- Popsicle sticks
- Cup Turner
- Black Oracal 631 Adhesive Vinyl
- Cutting machine (Silhouette or Cricut) to cut the vinyl decal
- Safety Equipment (gloves, mask, etc)
**Visit my Amazon storefront to see specific supplies for different tumbler styles.
Prepping the Woodgrain Epoxy Tumbler
When doing a woodgrain tumbler you want to spray paint the entire cup with matte white spray paint. Start by taping the inside of the cup with painters tape to prevent epoxy or paint from getting inside the tumbler.
Use 220 grit sand paper and quickly give the entire outside of the cup a quick sand. This will give the spray paint texture to adhere to. Using your hand or a pool noodle wand slowly rotate the cup while spray painting with short bursts. Be sure to avoid overspray and dripping.
Adding the Woodgrain Look
To understand how to get the woodgrain look it’s best to watch the YouTube tutorial I published below.
You want to use one or two brown alcohol inks (this pack is perfect). You will put the ink in a line down the cup and then spread it using a stiff bristle brush. I use the cheap twenty-five cent brushes from Michaels. You will continue this process all the way around the cup until it’s covered in what now looks like woodgrain.
Epoxy the Cup
- Apply the first coat of epoxy while cup is on the cup turner and let dry
- Add a vinyl decal if desired
- Apply the final coat of epoxy while cup is on the turner and let dry
These steps make the process seem quick, but epoxy takes a lot of time to dry. I let my cups turn for upwards of 12 hours, usually overnight.
Weather can play a big part in the dry time of the epoxy. Epoxy likes warm temperatures and low humidity.
Ashley Reed
Tuesday 12th of May 2020
That wood grain tumbler looks awesome! My father-in-law does a lot of wood working and a tumbler like that would be perfect for him!