Back in the sounds of the nation around 1978, Derek of Lawrence Scale Models wanted to add to 'our' growing range of rtr coaches some Gresley suburban's in teak livery. I carried out an experiment on a tobacco tin lid, and came across this tin while tidying up during 'lock-down'.
A base of BLMC AB88 Bracken was used from a spraycan. The grained teak effect was done with cotton material, but I cannot recall how! Save to say the process was not commercial as far as I was concerned....
A restored teak coach at Carrog....
I devised a speedier alternative that sufficed for the period, and sprayed the coaches with a colour close to Bracken that I mixed in cellulose. While the paint was wet, it was over-sprayed it with a darker brown with the air pressure so low that the gun sprayed fine dots. They sank into the wet paint and a gloss varnish in cellulose ensured a glass-like surface on which to add lining (if required). It was adequate and took no longer than spraying coaches in maroon or whatever.
I continue to use this rather crude finish on corridor partitions to this day. There are numerous ways of getting there. I happen to spray the partitions with Halfords Ford Tuscon Beige. While wet, I over spray very lightly and from a distance Halford Ford Sable Brown. For LMS Period III coaches I leave the partitions a light colour. For earlier stock I spray the second colour a couple of extra 'wafts' to darken the finish.
Many years later and with valuable tips from fellow pro painter, Dave Studely, I found it possible to do a proper grained finish very speedily.