A kit and a process for using it to impart wood grain appearances are provided. According to the method, an opaque, pigmented, water-based paint/stain emulsion is applied to a wood-grain textured substrate and dried. Then, a pigmented, water-based graining coat water-based graining coat (most preferably a self-crosslinked urethane/acrylic) is applied sparingly, preferably by spraying from a small bottle, in an amount sufficient to color at least a majority of texture recesses in the substrate and drying. According to the kit aspect of the invention, the kit will comprise: an opaque, pigmented, water-based paint/stain emulsion; a pigmented, water-based graining coat emulsion, packaged in a spray bottle. Optionally, the kit can include a surface cleaner, a scraper, brush and/or cloth.