Excellent methods , sounds like great craftsmanship;
TRY THIS; INFORMATIVE, AND FAIRLY ACCURATE- (THEY MAKE IT LOOK EASIER THAN IT IS)
www.xrestore.com/Pages/FauxWoodGrain.htm
Here is the whole scoop on the Photo Finish: It is a series of painting, glaze, and methods of application of glaze with a stiff brush, (after period of getting jelly like)- ( then fine, (real fine------ sand paper. )
Let's put it this way; much like walking from Portland to Seattle , vs , taking a 1/2 hour airline trip. (modern methods)- commonly used on old clocks; Here you go- Good reading, with web address
Faux Wood Grain Finish: Simulated wood finishes, created using paint, were common on many clock cases manufactured in the later part of the 1800's. Small "cottage" clocks as well as large "Triple-Decker" shelf clocks used this finish technique to reduce the use of expensive imported veneers.
Genuine veneers were combined with the faux finish such that it was difficult to tell where genuine ended and faux started. On this cottage clock case, the red arrows point to genuine rosewood veneer while the green arrows point to faux rosewood.
After 100 years or more of use, storage and moving, most of these clock cases show considerable wear and damage. With real veneer, you can often find matching "new" veneer to make your repairs. This isn't possible with a faux finish. To restore this finish, you must be able to reproduce the original grain using paints.
Repairing or recreating faux wood finishes is accomplished using "glazes" which are nothing more than paints that have been thinned to the point of translucence. The techniques necessary to create authentic looking faux finishes are not difficult to master and require no special tools. Practice pieces (4 x 8 inches) can be cut from thin paneling or door-skin and used to perfect technique.
Materials: Faux wood grain does not require a large investment in tools or supplies but it is important to gather up the needed materials and get organized before the first attempt. The following are basic materials you will need.
My Philco was Mahogany; (Golden Grid ) - I was able to avoid doing a big "Faux finish"
MY PIC ATTACHED-