Crackle is a simple faux finish which will give a surface an aged look or a "spider webbed" look using contrasting colors.
Crackle is done with an all latex system which makes it user friendly, especially for DYI'ers.
The order of finishing is: base coat - crackle medium - top coat. With crackle your top coat will develop the spider web type cracking to reveal the base coat where the paint is cracking.
Crackle Medium
Total control of the cracking is hard to achieve. I think that roller applied crackle medium gives a more spider web type of crackle. Apply the crackle medium uniformly with a roller. A heavier application will give you wider cracking and thinner application will give you smaller cracking. Applying the medium with a brush can give you more linear cracking. Allow the medium to dry as per the manufacture's directions. Note: there is usually a "window" in which the cracking will best occur. So read the label.
Top Coat
You need to use a flat paint for crackle as your top coat - it cracks better. Apply the top coat with a brush, roller or spray. How you apply the top coat will have some affect on the way the top coat cracks. Brushed on top coats will crack with a more linear cracking. Rolled on top coats will crack with more of a spider web type of cracking. (See above sample which was rolled on). Work quickly, and don't back track over paint that you have already applied.
Clear Coating
If you don't want the flat paint finish, you can clear coat over the top after the top coat has dried thoroughly.
Crackle using a metalic gold base coat
Base Coat
A satin sheen latex paint applied in the usual way with a roller, brush or spray. The base coat is what will show through the top coat cracks. Some color combinations that are used: 1. A bright base coat with a dark top coat. 2. A metallic base with a dark top coat. 3. A dark base with a light top coat. 4. Color co-ordinate combinations that work well together.
Allow the base coat to dry overnight.
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Crackle
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