Here is the technique I use to make those cheap old plastic grips that are commonly found on cheap old airsoft/toy guns and make them look like real wood... To me, the look of the stock grips just aren't convincing (look at the untouched grip on the left in the first photo below), so what the heck, redo 'em!

I don't really care for the checkering that was on the grips, so I filled them in with automotive spot putty...


After sanding the putty smooth as I could to a decent contour to the grip, I applied about 4 coats total of grey Krylon primer; Of course, in between coats, I added/sanded more putty until I was satisfied. After the final primer coat, I lightly sanded it with a very fine (almost smooth) grit sandpaper, then gave 3 coats of a cheap dollar store brand Gloss Walnut spray paint...


Next, I used some 220 Grit sandpaper, and gave a few light passes across the grip in one direction to simulate the wood grain, and to leave some recesses for the highlight color to fill in...


For the contrast color, I used Testors Brown in the tiny bottle (you can use whatever colors you'd like, BTW...) and a sock to apply it to the grip, in the same direction as the sandpaper scoring...


After wiping the paint onto the grip, and once I was satisfied with the grain effect, I took a small votive candle and rubbed it on the grips...


Then, all that was left is to use a sock, soft rag, whatever, and rub the wax into the grip to smooth and seal it...


And there you have it, a somewhat down and dirty tutorial on fake woodgrip goodness!

Hope this helps with those ugly grips you guys might have on your guns

Photos replaced