How to Crackle a Floor

Remove all furniture from the room, apply painter's tape along the wall's edges protecting them and remove anything else in the way, such as heat register covers.

Repair any flooring damage by filling in holes with appropriate putty, such as wood filler for wood flooring. Let it cure, and then sand lightly with fine sandpaper to smooth the surface.

Washing the floor with trisodium phosphate, a bucket and sponge removes all traces of dirt and cleaner residue. Rinse the floor well and thoroughly dry it.

Apply an oil-based primer over the floor with a sponge roller and bristle brush. Cut in the edges around the walls with the bristle brush. Cover the rest of the floor using the sponge roller. Start painting in the corner farthest from the door. Let the primer cure according to package instructions.

Apply a crackle medium over the primer using a sponge roller in a crisscrossing "X" pattern ensuring even coverage. For large cracks, apply a thick coat. Let it cure according to the package instructions.

Paint the floor using a single coat of flat, oil-based paint. Pull the roller in only one direction and don't overlap or overwork the area. This topcoat of paint starts crackling as it dries. Make the coat even but not thick. Let it cure for 24 hours.

Mix translucent glaze in a bucket with some color pigments if you want to tint it. You can also use a specialty glaze, such as antiquing glaze. Apply the glaze with a flat-edged, bristle brush or rag. Apply the glaze with a heavy hand so the excess fills the cracks in the paint.

Wet a towel with a spray bottle and wipe the glaze before it dries. Continue wiping the glaze until it has the sheen that you want. Let it thoroughly dry.

Protect the flooring by apply a nonyellowing, water-based urethane finish to the floor with a sponge or sponge roller. This topcoat quickly dries to the touch. After it is dry, apply a second coat. Continue applying urethane coats until you have four or five coats on the floor. Let it cure for 24 hours.

Maintain the floor by washing it thoroughly and apply a coat of urethane every 2 years. This ensures the crackle coating stays protected even under heavy foot traffic.