DIY crazing

Choosing finishing materials that will produce a "crackled" look. November 29, 2000

Q.
I need to know the procedure(s) and ingredients for crazing a finish. I know it is the use of 2 dis-similar solvents in solution, but even with experimentation, I can't seem to hit on the correct combination. I don't want to create a toxic solution, either. I am particularly interested in the "crackle-paint" look, so it would be paint and another solvent together, I believe. Any hints/ideas?

Forum Responses
Why waste your time--buy premade crackle. Unless you need to match something? What products are you using? Crackle is not made by dis-similar solvents. But it can be done by surface tension of dis-similar noncompatible products.

Bob Niemeyer, forum technical advisor


I have the pre-made crackle kits, but I was looking for a cheaper way to do it. Oil paint on a lacquer finish with heat applied works, but does not stand up well. I've experimented with lots of combinations, but none are productive or long lasting. I was just looking for a cheaper way out.

One way to achieve the crackle finish is:

1. Apply base coat and let dry.
2. Apply a thinned coat of Franklin liquid hide glue, and
3. Follow immediately with the top coat of paint--as the glue and topcoat dry the crackle will appear--quite random in pattern.


How durable is paint on top of hide glue? Nevermind that, how durable is paint? Not very. Not when you compare a paint film to that of a coating like lacquer or better.

Latex or oil, no paint can even pass a fingernail scratch test (not very scientific at all), let alone a pencil hardness test.

If you want cheap, then you get "drek". If you want good, then you use professional products that are made for us and marketed to us. No one is doing any gouging. The suppliers are just trying to earn a dime. If they make buggaboo material or they make bad coatings, then those coatings stop selling, the company gets a bad reputation, and the company falls by the wayside. There are so many competing companies out there and they all want your REPEAT business.


Crackle lacquer is quick, predictable, and easy. You can get it from Furniture Care Supplies in Atlanta, although I'm sure many other people carry it as well.

If your time's worth anything at all to you, then it's also cheap.


I have used both hyde glue and carpenters glue. I like the carpenter's glue because it doesn't flake like hyde glue. Also it dries much faster. Make sure you use latex paint over the carpenter's glue. I'd first choose the base color that you want to show through, let that dry, then apply your glue to a small area at a time if possible. Then spray the top coat over the glue just as it starts to shell over. As the glue finishes drying it pulls the paint apart. Let that dry and if you're doing a finish that needs to be hard you can top coat with water born polly like Varithane Diamond coat. You will find that crackle laquer is a good choice if you are doing this for money and time is important.