There's nothing that matches the simple beauty of wood, even on a car. Many people enjoy the look of real wood on their vehicles, and it's a unique way to update or improve your car. It could also help you promote a carpentry or lumber business. It can be done using regular auto paints and a little creativity.
Tape off your windows and doors and anything else you do not want painted.
Apply a base coat of a fleshy brown or tan automotive paint color to your car. Cover the entire surface of the area that you want painted like wood. Use smooth strokes, just like you are painting on a regular color. This is not a top coat.
Mix up a darker amber color of the same automotive paint; this will mimic the grain of the wood. After the first layer dries, brush in this color with long, dashed strokes to form the natural grains of the wood.
Add a little black to this color and go back into the grains to add shade and darker lines. Just touch along the bottom of your grain strokes, and use fast, smooth motions to add depth and detail.
To add more details like nail holes, or to create "slats" or boards, mix up some black paint with a little bit of brown and using a small, oil paint brush, create slat lines, nail heads and knots in the wood. You can use dark amber for knot holes, as that works just as well as black.
Let dry, then apply a clear top coat to give the car a shiny, polished wood look.
