How to Paint a Cracked Wall Effect

While a cracked wall shows signs of damage, this effect can sometimes add to the design of a room. If you're attempting to create the appearance of aged plaster walls in your home, you can use a specialty paint called crackle medium to simulate the cracked look without causing any damage to your walls. Plan to spend at least one weekend working on your project because you will need to apply multiple layers of paint to your walls.

Things You'll Need

• Soapy water
• Towel
• Latex interior paint in two colors
• Paint roller
• Paintbrush
• Crackle medium

Instructions

1. Prepare the wall by washing it with soapy water and drying it thoroughly with a clean towel. This will remove any dirt or greasy residue on the surface that may prevent the paint from adhering properly.

2. Apply one coat of latex interior paint to the wall with a paint roller or paintbrush and wait for it to dry. This paint is the color that will be visible in the cracks on your wall.

3. Brush crackle medium onto the wall with a paintbrush where you want the wall to appear cracked. Do not cover the entire wall with the crackle medium, just apply it to the areas where you want the cracks to appear.

4. Paint over the dry crackle medium with latex interior paint. Use a different shade of paint than you used in Step 1 to make the cracks more visible.

5. Wait for the paint to dry. The cracks will begin to appear on the wall in a few minutes due to the crackle medium.

Tips & Warnings

• Add an aged appearance to your cracked wall with an antiquing glaze. You can purchase these glazes ready to use and apply them to your cracked wall when the final coat of paint is completely dry. Dampen a clean rag in water and use it to rub the glaze onto the wall in a circular motion.

References

• "Paint Saves the Day"; Lucianna Samu; 2009