New here need help

What I do with tool handles on armor is to paint a tan basecoat with ModelMaster Wood. I actually rebrush over, to intentionally leave fine brushmarks that will give a hint of grain. Once dry, I'll was with a dark wash, maybe black, maybe burnt umber, maybe raw sienna, just depends on how dark of wood I'm after. I've been happy with the effect in 1/35 and is what I would try if I ever find myself doing a WWI biplane.

Wood is difficult to paint because it isn't a solid color. Look at any piece of wood and you'll see a lot of grain in it that is a different shade from the main color. I've seen a lot of wooden props painted that I would swear were carved from wood, but I don't know exactly how they did it.

Two piece of advice:

1) Experiment on some scrap styrene. Paint it the base color and then take a very fine brush and paint some lighter streaks down the length. Use a couple of different shades of lighter colors and play with them until you find something you like. You might also try a brush with very short stiff bristles and "Dry Brush" some streaks down the main color. To do that just barely touch the brush to the paint and then wipe most of it off on a paper towel so that there is barely any left on the brush.

2) Post this on the aircraft forum and see if they have any advice. This is where it should be since it's oriented toward painting, but you'll probably find more people who have actually done this in the aircraft forum. I know I've seen some photos of WWI models with wood props that looked beautiful.

Yeah If memory serves me right the props were laminated and shilacked to all get out, so they'd definately get dirty, just not weather worn.

Hey Kalel,
"wood" color varies a lot. You should get some good answers to this. Here is what I do. Just get some plain tan and some plain brown. mix these two until you get the "wood" color you like. More brown = darker and more tan = lighter.

Right now I have been using 50/50 military brown and middlestone (tan) with pretty good results. But any brown/tan will work.

Getting the grain effect is another story. A couple swipes with coarse sandpaper then a dark wash sometimes works. Remember too that wood actually turns gray over time when exposed to elements. Probably not props though.