How to Hide Glue & Crackle

Home decorators today use many techniques to achieve professional-looking results. Faux finishing creates texture and appeal to ordinary surfaces. In today's cottage and country decorated homes, the faux finish with the "crackled" look is very popular. An old piece of furniture can be given an antique look and become the centerpiece of the room. Decorator Robyn Peterson of Bob Vila's Home Again uses the crackling technique on many surfaces ranging from cabinets to fireplace mantles. Crackling is an easy do-it-yourself project that can be completed over the weekend.

Things You'll Need

• spackle
• sandpaper
• tack cloth
• paintbrush
• darker paint for base coat
• liquid hide glue
• lighter paint for top coat
• polyurethane sealant

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Spackle any cracks and nicks in the area to be painted. Let the spackle dry and sand down the area with sandpaper. Wipe the area clean with tack cloth.

   • 2

     Paint the area with a darker base coat. One or two coats will be sufficient depending on color preference. Let the paint dry.

   • 3

     Use a paintbrush to apply the liquid hide glue. Use a thin coat for fine cracks or a thick coat for larger cracks. Let the area dry for 24 hours.

   • 4

     Paint the area with a lighter top coat. The cracks will appear as the paint dries.

   • 5

     Seal the area with polyurethane and let it dry.