Antique or Crackled look - anyone?

Question

I can't find any pictures online of what I'm thinking of, so maybe I'm using the wrong terminology. It's the type of wood furniture that looks like it was once one color and then painted over with a different color (usually a lighter color) and the top paint looks like it's cracking a bit and it reveals the color underneath. Or it looks like it's been scratched or bumped revealing the color underneath.

I want to learn how to paint (or whatever the process is) some older wood furniture, so that it looks like I've described. Does anyone know the steps? What products to use? Also, what if the wood already has some sort of varnish on it, how do I remove it easily, or do I need to?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Certainly CRACKLE paint kits and combos are available. I'm not strictly a fan because it never quite looks natural; but it is obviously popular.

In your case using a piece of plain wood is a good way to begin for practice and to check the effect in your technique.

Often the base color might be black for example; with an off white top coat. The substances of each; work with the other. Essentially what happens is that the top coat shrinks/separates; and doesn't strictly form a smooth coat over the base; allowing that it looks cracked/aged after the fact.

Both HD and Lowes sell it; often packaged as a KIT; with adequate instructions. PLUS the WWW will offer hundreds of links as to process; colors; methods of application; etc.

Enjoy,,,smiles.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

It is a FAUX finish and it is called crackle or egg shell finish.
Usually it naturally happened on older doors and furniture due to using two different types of paint that have different expansion properties. Older things it was usually a dark grey or blue primer that was made with one type of base chemical and then the top coat was a different type. At the time they did it they didn't realize that the crackle would happen, but over time the error of their way showed up. In time, people like you found an afinity for this texture of finish and then they made a modern alternative to the process that doesn't take years to accomplish. That is why it doesn't look exactly the same, but is very close if done properly.
I believe that they had also found a do-it-yourself recipe that can be done without buying a kit at the hardware store.
I may be wrong, but try to do a google search on faux crackle finish or similar and weed out a site that is user friendly for what you want. There will be many, but you may find one the can show you the process and give you ideas about other things you may want to do as well.
It may be easier AND cheaper just to buy the kit depending on how much area you have to cover on the furniture.
Or go to the home center and look through their library of books for sale for faux finish and they usually have one just for the many faux finishes there are out there. That book will have steps on how to do it, but it shouldn't be too difficult, but may be time consuming and messy to do. You will probably have to have a clean dry area with lots of ventilation and time to do a several coat process on the entire piece of furniture including doors and drawers if applicable.
It does have a nice Shabby Chic look that can create a certain feeling in a room or space.
One other tip is to make sure that the coats dry very well between or as the instructions say so that the effect is full and dramatic. The process may be effected by humidity and dry time between coats.
Do some homework on this and dig in when you feel confident.
These types of projects are fun if you have the initiative and time/money to pursue them. And sometimes lead to a profitable side line of business if people like your work.
Practice on another old piece of wood or trashed furniture from a second hand store or garbage. This builds confidence and insures you don't ruin the entire piece of furniture on an error of learning.
PEACE!

Answer 3

I did this over an old telephone bench. I didn't remove the paint because the product you use is a two step process where you paint the furniture the color you want, then you put some coats of the crackle mix over the paint. As it dries, the cracks begin to appear and you can see the paint underneath begin to show through. Some people call it "Shabby Chic"

Anyway, I got it at Home Depot. Just go to the paint department--they will know what you are looking for. This is such an easy project--you'll want to do more.

Answer 4

My sister-in-law used a crackling kit to achieve this effect on her kitchen cabinets and they turned out exactly as she hoped.

Answer 5

You may want to rethink the idea. Initially, it looks great, but it's a look you quickly grow tired of seeing.

Answer 6

HGTV.com
DIYnetwork.net (or com)
Martha Stewart.com
ThePaintedHouse.com
In any one of these go to the search engine and type in Paint finishes, or Faux paint fininishe. Hope this helps.