How to Apply a Faux Antique Finish

Scrub the wall or furniture gently with a rag dampened in equal parts water and white vinegar to remove any dirt or greasy residue from the surface. Let the surface air-dry when you are finished cleaning.

Apply a base coat of latex paint with a paintbrush or paint roller, if desired. This paint color will be visible in the cracks of the top coat of paint on your finished project.

Brush a thick coat of crackle medium onto the dry base coat or bare furniture moving the paintbrush in only one direction rather than back and forth. If you are applying an antique finish to a wall, apply the crackle medium randomly to the wall in spots rather than one solid coat. This will give the wall a more natural antique finish.

Paint one coat of latex paint--in a different shade than the base coat--over the dry crackle medium moving the brush in one direction as you did when applying the crackle medium.

Wait for the paint to dry. The paint will begin to crackle within five minutes.

Apply two coats of clear water-based polyurethane in a satin finish over the crackled paint. Wait for the first coat to dry completely before you begin to apply the second coat.