Tips for Painting a Crackle Finish

Supplies

• To speed up a crackling project, gather the following supplies and place them next to the surface you want to crackle: 180 and 200-grit sandpaper; 2 soft white cloths or rags; container of latex primer; 2 gallons of latex paint, contrasting colors; crackling glaze; 3/8-inch paint roller; a 3-inch paint brush; masking tape; and a drop cloth or plastic sheeting. Supplies are available at home improvement and hardware stores as well as online.

  Crackling kits are also available at hardware and home improvement stores containing all the supplies you need, including contrasting paint colors, to complete the project.

Preparation

• Before beginning the crackling process, sand the surface you want to crackle with medium, 180-grit sandpaper then sand the surface to a smooth finish with 200-grit sandpaper. Wipe the surface clean with a damp, soft white cloth or rag. Then dry the surface with a clean, soft white cloth or towel. Sanding helps the base coat paint and crackling glaze to adhere to the surface.

Drop Cloths/Plastic Sheeting

• Make sure you cover any areas under or close to the surface you want to crackle with a drop cloth or plastic sheeting to keep the paint and glaze from leaking or getting onto an area you don't want to crackle.

Base Coat Tips

• The base coat is the first layer of paint you will apply and offers a contrasting color under the crackling glaze. If planning to crackle a surface containing unfinished wood, apply a coat of latex primer before the latex base coat. Apply the primer with a brush or roller. Let the primer dry first then apply the base coat and let it dry completely, at least 8 hours or overnight, before proceeding to the glazing phase of the project.

Crackling Glaze Tip

• When applying crackling glaze, roll or paint on a generous, 4 to 5 tbsp. of glaze, on top of the base coat. The thicker the application, the larger the cracks will be. If you want fine cracks, apply a thin layer of the glaze. Apply smooth, even strokes in one direction only. Do not crisscross or reverse the roller or brush --- this will result in small, incomplete cracks. Let the crackling glaze dry for 1 to 2 hours.

Final Touches

• Apply a layer of contrasting color latex paint over the glaze to protect the cracks and to make the base coat stand out. Use a brush and apply the paint in the opposite direction of the crackling glaze.

Masking Tip

• If crackling just one section of a wall, floor or other surface, mask off the area you want to crackle using masking tape. The tape also keeps the paint and glaze from entering an area you don't want to crackle.

Practice Run

• Complete a practice run of the crackling process on a piece of scrap wood or an old table if you are worried about the process or this is your first time undertaking a crackling project.