Rust-Oleum 313834 Varathane Wood Grain Enhancer, Black

I have use it with Pine but I didn’t get the results I was expecting. I guess it depends on the type of wood

I was restoring an antique dresser and wanted to accent the woodgrain. I searched the internet for ways to do it and decided Varathane Wood Grain Enhancer was my best bet. There are videos out there showing people using this product to great effect.I watched a few and found that they basically described the same process. I followed their directions but I didn't get anything near the result they got in the videos. I tried multiple times on different pieces of wood. I tried tweaking the technique. I brushed harder with the steel brush, and then not as hard. I tried using more of the enhancer.I couldn't make it work.I note that the manufacturer's website shows this product has been discontinued so I suspect I am not the only person who found that it didn't work quite as advertised.Admitedly, I'm not a professional woodworker, but I do follow instructions pretty well. Be careful spending your money on this product.

For the cost it does not work as advertised. I used it a piece of alder which has little grain so I wanted to highlight or accentuate what was there without darkening the wood.This only left a residue of black specks which wiped off after it dried. Maybe it will work on open grain woods better. Or at least sell it in smaller cans.

Did not work as advertised. A wire brush is not enough to "rough up" the wood to do this. And the color does not go into the pre-existing grain on the wood. When you "rough up" the grain the color goes into the scratches you make in the wood. And with a wire brush it just makes it look dirty. Not pretty at all.

All this did was leave gray sand all over the surface that was easily brushed off.

This stuff just plain doesn't work. Tried it on several different kinds of both staind and unstained wood per the instructions. I might as well have been applying water to the wood as it does absolutely nothing that it claims it does.

I am an experienced wood worker who builds, finishes, and refinishes furniture. This is an absolute waste of money. I thought I would try it just for fun. It wasn't worth opening the can.

I spent weeks trying to get the look I was going for. Stumbled upon this and it works perfectly. Granted, I didn't follow the instructions at all. So maybe all the bad reviews should have just tried it their own way. I used it on already painted white, flat, enamel coated red oak. It rubs right into the grain (you do have to use some muscle) and wipes off insanely easy. Highly recommend if you're going for a look like mine.