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Crackling furniture 101

  • November 10, 2011
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I love to crackle furniture. I don’t think I will ever get tired of it!!!!!! I often get emails from my readers asking me how I get such rounded, uniform crackle. So thought I would give you my instructions.

A complete stranger contacted me and gave me this table. (Melanie….thank you.)  I’m in the process of decorating my home office….so wanted to crackle it for my space. Perfect to demo for you.


So, first you sand your piece. Or use a liquid deglosser on it. The point is not to take off the stain, but just to knock down the poly coat on the piece.


Then, you will need my FAVORITE crackle products……. they are the only ones I will use….hands down. You can’t convince me to try something else. I am a loyal user of Faux Effects crackle products…..they are the best.

 

First, I rolled on Aquasize with a whizz roller. You need to let it “smoke” (see photo). It usually takes an hour or so.

After it went clear again, I rolled on another coat of Aquasize right back over it. Let that smoke and go clear.

Here are some points to remember about size (keep in mind I am not an instructor of the products, this is just my observation):

  • The way you apply your size determines the crackle appearance. I prefer a rounded crackle….so I roll or stipple my size on. If you like a weathered looking crackle, you can brush it on. I do not care for that look….I think it looks “countryish”. But that’s my personal preference.
  • For the hard to reach areas on this table, I used a man’s shaving cream brush to stipple size into the crevices. Perfect.
  • The heaviness of your size/number of coats you do will help to determine your crackle “size”. Heavier application = bigger sized cracks.
  • Size will stay wet forever (literally) if not covered with another product.
  • It does dry clear. Except for runs…..but I don’t worry about runs….they will cover with the next layer.


Next, I rolled on the white colored AquaCrackle to this table. The Aquacrackle will go on uneven in spots…..it’s ok. I usually get chunks in the product and I love that. Ignore them. The chunks chip off to make the awesome areas where the stain shows thru.

The thicker you roll the crackle, the bigger cracks you will get. I didn’t try to roll it into the cracks….I like the cracks to show the stain. And again, I roll—-don’t brush. You can stipple it…..but don’t brush.

Aqua crackle also comes in black and clear. I use black frequently!

After the Aquacrackle dried, I sanded a few edges and used a japan scraper (it has a flat edge) to chip off the big chunks.

Then I stained it so it wasn’t white-white. Cuz’ I am allergic to white. And everything looks better glazed.


Isn’t the bottom of this piece great???


So, my office is shaping up nicely. Especially since my client/turned friend/turned husband’s client/turned scrapbook buddy sold me these zebra chairs. For a killer deal.

Don’t hate me.


And she helped me make the canvas you see hiding in the corner. More on that to come…..

Let me know if you have any crackle questions my friends. It’s all about the products you use. Trust me on this.

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13 comments
  1. Haverford House says:
    November 10, 2011 at 1:41 am

    You always amaze me! Your crackle table is beautiful. I have never been able to master the crackle! I’ll have to try again using these products – thanks. And…I’m so jealous of those zebra chairs – everything looks perfect! ~Marcy

  2. Lou Cinda @ Tattered Hydrangeas says:
    November 10, 2011 at 2:26 am

    Oh yeah, this is awesome! And it couldn’t come at a better time! I am fixing to crackle a ceiling medallion! And your office is looking Stellar!!

    Thanks for the tutorial!

    Lou Cinda 🙂

  3. Melanie says:
    November 10, 2011 at 2:51 am

    It turned out great, but I think that’s the table I gave you LOL….I knew if anyone could make it look good it was you 🙂

  4. Magic Brush says:
    November 10, 2011 at 3:10 am

    OMMMMMMMGosh Melanie!~ You are RIGHT! That is the table you gave me. Please forgive me for my confusion! I remember now totally……my bad!

  5. Corn in my Coffee-Pot says:
    November 10, 2011 at 4:11 am

    I love that crackle finished little table! Really.
    Can I just hate you for all the beautifully painted surfaces in your home,instead?

    ehem…my personal favorite that painted carpet in your work area?…Oh, yeah–I’ll never forget that.

    love your work,Pat

  6. Ruthie's Renewed Treasures says:
    November 10, 2011 at 4:34 am

    Snap, Crackle & Pop! Love it!!

    Ruthie

  7. ร้าน Lek Funiture says:
    November 10, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    sawasdee ka

    i come to visit you blog naka

    lily

  8. Debbie Pierre says:
    November 10, 2011 at 4:57 pm

    Love it !

  9. Barbara Jean says:
    February 21, 2012 at 2:30 am

    love your table!! thanks for lesson. will be back to check out rest of site.
    found you o pinterest.
    blessings
    barbara jean

  10. Pam Worden says:
    November 20, 2013 at 9:28 pm

    Absolutely adorable!! Like YOU!! Do you want to be my friend? 🙂 You are such fun to “read”…. I can imagine how much fun you are in “life”!
    Where do you buy the Faux effects crackle products?
    Thanks so much for the great tutorial.
    When is your BOOK coming out??
    Blessings,
    Pam

  11. Tamara Briggs says:
    October 15, 2015 at 12:07 pm

    What if you wanted layers of color to be crackled and chippy?

  12. linked here says:
    December 9, 2015 at 11:18 am

    Take A Bow!

  13. Lou Ann Lanier says:
    July 7, 2017 at 3:42 pm

    Thank you for giving the details for your crackling finishes. They look awesome!!!
    I have used a one step crackle for years and never that happy with the results unless I just got lucky. so I decided to try the faux effects 2 step process and purchased the sizing and the aqua crackle clear. can I mix paint in with the aqua crackle clear to tint it to the color that I want for the top coat or am I going to have to paint and glaze after applying the clear crackle?

    Thanks so much.

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