How to Crackle Finish Old Furniture

Sometimes you find a piece of furniture at an antique shop, flea market or yard sale that would be a perfect addition to your home -- with a little clean up and refinishing. You can strip the wood piece and apply new stain or fresh coat of paint; but if you are going for a country or shabby chic look ,there is another option. A crackle finish adds an aged or distressed appearance that could work well with your decor.

Sandpaper
Scraper
Cleaning supplies
Two contrasting paint colors
Crackle medium
Paintbrushes or sponges

Instructions

- 1
  Completely clean the piece to remove dirt and grime. If you're painting a chair or other upholstered piece, remove the fabric section to avoid getting paint on it.
- 2
  Remove any old paint using a scraper and sandpaper. If the piece is stained, use sandpaper to rough up the surface in preparation for the paint.
- 3
  Paint the furniture using your base color. This color will appear in the cracks. Allow the paint to dry completely.
- 4
  Apply the crackle medium, a clear, paintlike substance, following the manufacturer's instructions. Allow the crackle medium to dry to the touch.
- 5
  Paint the piece with the other paint color. This will be the dominant color of your piece. As the paint dries, the cracks will appear.
- 6
  Add a clear coat after the paint has dried. This will protect your furniture and prevent the top coat of paint from flaking off.

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