Not Your 1980’s Crackle Finish
Did you jump on the crackle finish band wagon in the ’80’s and ’90’s? I sure did…I painted an entire bank of cabinets in full crackle glory! When we finally repainted them last year I thought my crackle days were over…until I realized that, in moderation, it adds a beautiful, aged and weathered appearance to my chalk painted furniture and home decor.
Supplies
- Dixie Belle White Lightning
- Dixie Belle Boss
- Dixie Belle Antebellum Blue
- Dixie Belle Crackle
- Chip Brush
- Modern Masters Metallic Paint
- Easy Peasy Spray Wax
Prepping and Picking Colors
If you have found your project at a thrift store or flea market, chances are it needs a good cleaning. White Lightning will remove years of dirt and built up wax. I almost always use a primer before painting and my preference is Dixie Belle Boss in clear for its smooth finish under colored paint. For this look, I chose Antebellum Blue as my base coat and Modern Masters Silver to show through my crackle but any contrasting colors would work. Tea Rose with Coffee Bean showing through is beautiful!
Creating Your Look
Once you have painted your piece in your base color and are satisfied with the coverage, it’s time to add your “peek through” color. Where would your piece show age? Corners are a good place to start. I like to create a balanced but not symmetrical look when I am painting my second color.
Tips for Crackle Paint Success
Apply Dixie Belle’s Crackle Finish to your second color (in this case silver). I prefer to apply with a chip brush which I can throw away when I am finished. A heavier application of product will result in more noticeable cracking. Always allow the crackle to dry thoroughly — a very heavy application may take hours to dry. You will paint over the crackle with your base color (in this case Antebellum Blue). As the label instructs, do not back brush as you paint your second color as it interferes with the cracking process. Looking for even more cracking? Try cross hatching as you paint.
Final Steps
To finish this piece, I dry brushed the silver paint over the frame’s raised details and edges. Dixie Belle offers a lot of options for sealing your look, see My Top 5 Ways to Seal Chalk Painted Furniture , in this case I opted for Easy Peasy Spray Wax given the ease of use and intended use of the frame.
