Crackling

  
 
Crackling adds a beautiful worn elegance to cabinetry, wood paneling, moldings and newly painted furniture. For a more dramatic look, walls and plaster surfaces can also be crackled. Today, with help of superior products by Faux Like A Pro, this aging technique seems almost magical in its simplicity. Within minutes you can duplicate the effects of years of natural weathering.

Base Color
Benjamin Moore Paint #2161-40

Top Color
(A) Benjamin Moore Paint #74

How-To Instructions

Prep 1 - Walls:
Before base coating, make sure your surface is in good condition. Patch holes and cracks with spackling paste, and wash any dirt from surface using a mild soap. Mask all windows, baseboards, and moldings using 2” painter’s tape. Evenly apply paint with roller. Base coat should always be an eggshell latex finish. Two coats may be necessary depending on coverage. Let dry 24 hours.
Prep 2 - Furniture:
The preparation for furniture is the same as walls. Patch holes and cracks with spackling paste and wash any dirt from the surface using mild soap or TSP. Prime any bare wood and metal with appropriate sealers.
Step 1A:
Base Crackle combined with our Crackle Additive produces a classic cracked paint effect. Apply a bright or deep color of latex eggshell paint to your surface. Let dry 24 hours. Using a brush or roller, apply two coats of Base Crackle over your colored base. Let dry approximately 30 minutes before applying the second coat.
Step 2A:
Empty the entire contents of Crackle Additive into one quart of flat latex paint. Mix thoroughly! Your paint will begin to thicken. Once the paint has become thick, apply it over your base coat with either a brush or roller. Cracking will appear within minutes. Once the crackling begins do not roll over it with paint. This will ruin the finish. Let dry 24 hours.
Step 3A:
Gently rub Antique Wax over crackle finish with a damp synthetic sponge. This will give your project a beautiful, aged, durable finish.
Classic Crackle Final Finish:
This is a finished sample of a crackled paint technique sealed with antique wax.


Step 1B:
Antique Crackle produces clear, coarse cracks that reveal the underlying color. Choose a bright or deep color of latex eggshell paint for your base. This color is important because it will show through the coarse cracks. Apply base coat and let dry 24 hrs. Using a brush or roller, apply two coats of Base Crackle over your colored base. Let dry approximately 30 minutes before applying the second coat.
Step 2B:
Using a brush or roller, apply one coat of Antique Crackle over the Base Crackle. Cracking will appear clear, revealing the surfacing beneath. Let thoroughly dry.
Step 3B:
Thoroughly mix 1 teaspoon of dry brown pigment with a few ounces of water. Gently rub pigment mixture into cracks with a damp synthetic sponge. The pigment will seep into the cracks enhancing the crackle lines. Remove excess pigment with a clean damp sponge. Seal with flat wax.
Antique Crackle Final Finish:
This is a finished sample of an antique crackle technique sealed with flat wax.

Tip 1
The size of the crack is determined by the thickness of paint applied. The heavier the paint application the larger the cracks; the lighter the paint application the thinner the cracks.

Tip 2
The direction of the crack is determined by the direction of the application. For horizontal cracks brush on your crackle medium from left to right. For vertical cracks brush on your crackle medium from top to bottom. For diagonal cracks brush on your crackle medium on an angle.

Tip 3
For best results brush or roll on your application in one direction. Avoid over brushing or rolling where cracking has already occurred. This may ruin your finish.
FINAL FINISH

Supplies:

Classic Crackle
- Base Crackle
- Crackle Additive
- Antique wax
Antique Crackle
- Base Crackle
- Antique Crackle
- Brown Pigment
- Flat Wax

You will also need the following basic supplies from your local hardware store:

- latex all purpose brushes
- paint rollers
- medium nap
- roller tray
- 3” latex cutting brush
- primer
- large bucket for water
- containers to hold crackle medium
- painter’s tape
- latex gloves
- rags for clean up
- drop cloths