How can I make vinyl look like wood?

Liz, can you post a picture of what you have/want? It might help people respond.

Are they round or square?

Hello,

No sure if this is suitable for your position? You might try Wood look Contact or Wallpaper or Use ESP as a Primer and then use a basecoat of satin paint in the ground colour of the wood finish you require and then Dry Brush the grain in a darker colour to be the wood grain. Then use a suitable sealer..... Hope that help!

Can you share a photo?

You could use a wood texturing tool like this one: https://amzn.to/2HKPN6S

Hope this Helps! Jeremy - https://pahjodesigns.com

Have you considered attaching vinyl wood flooring strips to the posts?

Another thought would be check out Amazon for wood grain/texture rollers.

Here are a few different ways other Hometalkers have done it.

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/craft/decorative-plates/diy-wood-grain-plate-chargers-44000879

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/windows-doors/doors/front-door-redo-using-faux-wood-grain-technique-2489836

https://www.hometalk.com/diy/paint/faux-wood-grain-paint-technique-27949293

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=%20wood%20grain%20garage%20door

Liz: a product like this may work:

https://www.amazon.com/HaokHome-Vintage-Wallpaper-Realistic-Decoration/dp/B01700UKZW?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_13

Hello. I thought this youtube link was pretty amazing. It might be helpful for you to review. I suspect this is for indoor applications.

Is your situation or project indoor or outdoor?

I would think the treatment to make it look like wood In the video to be possible for indoor applications.

https://youtu.be/ZE0H7_j8DTU

omg - these are such great ideas - let me attach a photo- I am hating these white posts and want to have them look like wood - they are the typical Home Depot square posts so like a pvc and vinyl...Keep these ideas rolling in please!!!

Hi Liz,

After looking at your photo, I think that the faux grain technique that William posted would be a good technique to use on your project. The wood grain tools are a little wide for some of the posts and I think they'd be harder to control. Wishing you the best.

I had a white plastic mirror and made it look like wood with stain. It's held up really well in a steamy bathroom with no windows. Here's a peek at the DIY if you like: https://www.exquisitelyunremarkable.com/2019/08/make-plastic-mirror-frame-look-like-wood.html

As mentioned, getting an exterior grade paint to stick to vinyl requires very clean vinyl, a binding primer & a UV stable top coat.

Working on a balustrade is tedious and I would not bother with wood grain techniques except for the handrail/guardrail, unless you have unlimited time to spend on this.