Wenge wood is an African wood that comes from the Leguminosae tree family. The wood is often used for flooring, panelling or veneers and is known for its dramatic colouring and grain patterns. The wood is dark brown or tan with stripes that are almost black in colour. The wood is porous, so it may require some patching and filling when it is being finished so that the paint will not gather in pools and create an uneven surface.

  • Wenge wood is an African wood that comes from the Leguminosae tree family.
  • The wood is porous, so it may require some patching and filling when it is being finished so that the paint will not gather in pools and create an uneven surface.

Sand the wood surface, going with the grain. Continue until you have a smooth surface, vacuuming or sweeping as you go.

Fill any pits or pores with wood putty, creating as smooth a surface as you can by scraping the excess away with the putty knife. Allow the putty to fully dry.

Sand down the putty to smooth out the surface. Brush or vacuum the dust away.

Apply a coat of wood sealant to the entire surface of the wood. This step will prevent the paint from seeping into the wood grain so that if you ever want to return the wood to its original finish you can do so. Allow the sealant to dry before proceeding.

Paint a layer of primer onto the wood if you wish to fully obscure the grain patterns of the wood. Allow the primer to dry. Add another layer of primer if the grain still shows. Allow the primer to fully dry before proceeding.

  • Sand down the putty to smooth out the surface.
  • Paint a layer of primer onto the wood if you wish to fully obscure the grain patterns of the wood.

Paint the wood with the chosen paint colour. Allow it to dry between coats, if another coat is necessary.