Crackle Technique

Materials and Tools:

220-grit sandpaper
tack cloth or rag
latex primer
paintbrushes
crackle medium
paint (base coat: Olive Drab SW1166; top coat: Divine White SW6105)

Steps:

1. Sand the entire piece and remove the dust with a tack cloth or damp rag. Apply primer to seal the old finish and let it dry.

2. Apply the base coat and let it dry.

3. Apply the crackle medium according to the manufacturer's instructions. Once the crackle has dried for the appropriate length of time, begin brushing on the top coat. It's important to work quickly and try not to go over a spot you've already coated because the top coat has a tendency to pull off with the bristles. A heavier coat will result in large cracks and a lighter one will yield smaller ones.

4. Apply a couple coats of polyurethane for protection, allowing it to dry between layers.