How to Crackle Paint a Bed

Redecorating a bedroom doesn't mean you need to get all new furniture. You can crackle paint an existing bed frame to give it a fresh new look, though the look will have an old country house feel. Use contrasting colors when crackle painting to ensure you see the paint through the crackle lines made by drying glue. The process takes a couple of days to ensure adequate drying of glazes and paint for the optimal results.

Screwdriver
2 latex paints (contrasting colors)
Crackle glaze
Paint pan
Paint brushes
Rag
Paint sealer
Sand paper

Instructions

- 1
  Remove the mattress and box spring and set them aside. Unscrew the headboard from the frame and take the frame apart. Taking all components apart lets you thoroughly cover all surface areas.
- 2
  Paint the first color, usually the lighter color along the entire bed frame and head board. You don't need to sand the wood prior to painting but may do so if you desire to remove old paint.
- 3
  Let the first coat dry. Allow this to dry for at least 12 or up to 24 hours.
- 4
  Paint on a layer of glaze. Use consistent single strokes for a natural looking crackle pattern going with the grain of the wood. The thicker the glaze layer, the more significant the crackling will be. Read the label on your crackle glaze to see how long it should dry before putting the next color on. Dry times vary from one hour to 24 hours and may vary depending on the desired crackle effect. A cracked porcelain look uses longer dry times while a distressed weathered look can take one to four hours of glaze dry time.
- 5
  Paint the second color over the dried crackle layer in the opposite direction that you painted the crackle. Let the paint dry for 24 to 72 hours. The paint will crackle as it dries.
- 6
  Coat the dried crackle with a sealer to prevent chipping and peeling. Let the sealer dry completely before putting the bed back together.

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