How to Crackle Paint in Just Specific Areas of a Table

Lightly sand the entire table. Sanding can dull a previous coat of paint, if one exists, and also roughs up the surface so that new paint will better adhere. When you are done sanding, use a tack cloth or damp lint-free towel to clean up the dust.

Apply the first coat of paint to the entire table. Either a roller or brush will work; a roller will expedite the process on large table tops. Allow the paint to dry for the amount of time recommended by the manufacturer, typically at least a few hours.

Apply your crackle glaze only to the parts of the table where you want the crackle effect to appear. Use a brush, and always paint in the same direction. Keep in mind that the thicker you apply the glaze, the larger the cracks will be. Let the glaze dry for one hour.

Add your second coat of paint, in a different color than the first coat, to the entire table. Work in the opposite direction as you did when you applied the glaze. The crackle effect will appear only in the areas where you added glaze, allowing the first coat of paint to show through, while the rest of the table will only have a solid layer of the second paint.

Let the table dry for at least 12 hours before you return it to regular use.