How to Crackle Furniture

Faux Finishing isn't as hard as it sounds! It just takes some practice!

Crackling is one of the most dramatic faux finishing effects. Here are a couple of tips to making your crackle STUNNING!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bottle of Crackle Glaze
• Base coat of paint (flat)
• Top Coat of paint (satin)
• 2 nylon brushes
• Or a roller

1. 
    
   Paint your Furniture

   Find an old piece of furniture and completely paint it in your base coat color. The base coat is the paint that will show through the cracks. I recommend something dramatic like a lavender, brick red, gold, etc.

2. 
    
   Crackle Glaze Bottles

   After your base coat has dried completely liberally apply the clear Crackling Glaze with a nylon brush. The thicker you apply your glaze the more pronounced the cracks will be.
   
   For an extra dramatic look apply 2 coats of crackling glaze to the entire piece. Let the crackle completely dry (recommended 2-4 hours)

3. 
    
   Cabinet Before

   After your coat(s) of glaze has fully dried you can begin to add your top coat. This will be the final color of your finished furniture.
   
   Here is what I recommend. Paint the piece in sections. I lay all my pieces of furniture flat before I add the last coat. This way your paint doesn't drip down and ruin the crackle. Lay it horizontal on the floor and proceed.
   
   I use a nylon brush to apply my top coat, but a roller can work just as well. Apply large amounts of paint to your brush and go in quick easy strokes.
   
   Try not to overwork the paint....this will mess up the chemical process of the crackle. Just brush it on and keep going. Immediately you will see the paint react with the crackle glaze and start to crack.
   
   Let that section completely dry and then flip your piece over keeping the part that you're crackling parallel with the floor. This allows for the crackle to not be effected by gravity pulling at the paint and causing it to drip.
   
   This way takes longer but it's so worth it!

4. 
    
   Cabinet After

   That's it! It seems so simple because it is soon simple! There is not real technique to it...you just have to stand back and let the reaction happen!

Tips & Warnings

• Lay furniture flat parallel with the ground to avoid paint dripping
• May take several days to paint it this way but it's worth it!
• Crackle will always be in a random pattern that you can't control
• Don't overwork the crackle! It will mess up the chemical reaction!
• You can only apply one top coat layer or you'll paint over your crackle

[jenng]

on 6/9/2009 Great article on how to crackle furniture 5*

[labellefleur100]

on 5/11/2009 Great tips or crackling. It looks like a great way to get a new look for my furniture. 5*

[starlet67]

on 4/9/2009 Nice article with great info for re-creating the look of furniture!5*

[jamiekucharski]

on 4/8/2009 Love your detailed article on how to furniture crackle.