How to Crackle Porcelain

Crackle porcelain is a faux painting style that creates a cracked, old, worn and distressed look to an object. The crackle porcelain paint technique can be applied to a porcelain vase or other item, as well as to walls, picture frames or furniture pieces. The effect is created by using a base coat of paint and applying a contrasting color of crackle paint over it to create a cracked look. The crackled porcelain technique is simple to apply to create a vintage look on any object.

Things You'll Need

• Base coat paint
• Contrasting crackle paint
• Nylon paintbrush or paint roller
• Foam paintbrush
• Painter’s tape
• Paint tray
• Drop cloth
• Water-based polyurethane finish
• Clean cloth

Instructions

1. Select a base coat and contrasting crackle paint color. The most typical combinations are white and green, dark pink and white, beige and brown, and cream and red.

2. Place a drop cloth on the floor over the area where you plan to paint.

3. Apply painter’s tape to tape off any area of the project you don’t wish to paint.

4. Apply a base coat of paint using a nylon paintbrush or roller. After one hour, remove the painter’s tape and allow the base coat to dry for at least five hours or overnight.

5. Reapply painter’s tape and use a foam brush to apply the contrasting crackle paint. Use small “X” strokes to apply the crackle coat, using a thick coat for a more pronounced crackled effect and a thin coat for thinner cracks. Allow the crackle paint to dry for 30 or 40 minutes.

6. Stroke evenly with the foam brush to smooth the crackle paint. Remove the painter’s tape within an hour and allow the paint to dry for 24 hours.

7. Reapply painter’s tape, if necessary. Apply a coat of water-based polyurethane finish to the project. Wipe off any excess polyurethane with a clean cloth. Remove the painter’s tape within an hour and allow the polyurethane to dry for 24 hours.