A crackle finish is perfect for transforming a tired old piece of furniture into a classic shabby chic piece that looks like an heirloom. A crackle finish is one of the easier faux paint finishes for beginners and can be applied to everything from picture and mirror frames to dressers, desks and armoires.
Gather the materials. You'll need sandpaper, liquid crackle (available at craft stores) and two colors of paint (dark for a base coat and light for a top coat). Don't forget paint brushes and a drop cloth for this faux painting project.
Sand the piece and wipe it down. This is the chance to sand the wooden piece so that the paint will grab onto the wood. You can also use spackle to repair any dings or cracks.
Paint the base coat. Cover the piece with a thick base coat of the darker paint. It should be allowed to dry completely. Then apply another coat. It should take about 12 to 24 hours to dry.
Brush on the crackle. Using a regular brush, apply the crackle medium. It will look like thin white school glue. Thinner layers mean the crackle lines will be fine and spider web-like. Thicker layers of crackle will result in larger cracks. Cover every corner and groove of the item, and then let it dry for 12 to 24 hours.
Apply the lighter coat of paint over the dry crackle. As the paint dries, the crackling will appear, which will allow the darker coat to show through. The top coat should be thinner rather than thicker for the best crackle finish. Allow the top coat to dry for 12 to 24 hours.
Apply sealant (optional). If the piece will get a lot of use, such as a desk or dresser, apply a polyurethane sealant to the decorative faux painting. A piece that won't be touched much, such as a picture frame, can be left without a sealant.
 | Faux painting techniques can bring the look of leather, stone or fabric to walls and furniture using certain application methods and a variety of faux painting tools. |
 | Before there was a dizzying array of faux painting techniques and tools available, there was sponge painting. In the dawn of faux, sponge painting was commonly done by people who wanted to add texture and interest to their walls. |
 | Faux seems like a dirty word to some people. Whether it's because they have seen horrendous examples of faux finishes or because they think it is too difficult, they just aren't interested in attempting it. They have a "don't try this at home" attitude when they see faux techniques on television or read about them online or in magazines. |
Color washing is a type of faux painting that gives walls texture and depth using several different colors. The look is often compared to stucco and is perfect for either normal walls or walls that have slight damage. |
Ragging is a type of faux painting technique that is used for walls and on wooden furniture. This process creates a texture from a few different colors of paint, and the applicator is a paint-dipped rag. |
