crackleglaze instructions
Crackleglaze - instructions for use
Materials and tools
Two pots of different coloured emulsion paint.
Applicraft Crackleglaze.
Paint brushes.
Preparation
Crackleglaze can be applied to any clean, painted surface. The top colour paint should be water-based and the consistency of runny custard.
Application
• Using a regular paint brush, apply one or two coats of the first colour paint and allow it to dry completely.
• Shake the Crackleglaze tub well. With a clean brush apply a layer to the painted surface. Wait until it is slightly tacky or even touch dry. The glaze should not lift off the surface when touched. This will take at least 20 minutes, depending on the thickness of application and the room temperature.
• Apply your second colour paint to the Crackleglaze layer. Load the brush with paint and drag the brush lightly, going in one direction only. Stop to reload the brush when necessary. Touch up any areas you have missed with the corner of the brush. Do not brush over any area twice, or the crackle effect will not occur.
• The cracks will appear almost immediately. Leave the paint to dry completely.
Washing up
Wash brushes in warm soapy water.
Help
No cracks? The top coat of paint was too thick – thin it with a little water to get a runny custard consistency.
Only use water-based emulsions – oil-based paints are not compatible with the system.
Tips
Perfect the look you want. The direction of the cracks is determined by the direction and length of your brush strokes when applying the top colour paint. Once the top colour has been applied, you can speed up the drying process by using a warm hair dryer – this will also increase the size of the cracks. There is no need to varnish the finished effect.
Crackleglaze is a water-based glaze which, when sandwiched between two coats of paint, causes the top layer of paint to crack, revealing the bottom colour. When considering a project, bear in mind that it is the base colour that shows through the cracks on the finished surface, so choose your colours accordingly. It is ideal for applying to trays, boxes, frames and pieces of furniture.
