You can buy the background colours ready mixed or you can make your
own colour using the white as your base and adding small amounts of the
artist colours to achieve the desired effect. The Metallic colours can be
used as base colours but not as a topcoat colours (the crackle does not
work through the metallic paints).
If you are using a porous surface (ie MDF) mix the paint with APS approx
ratio 3 paint:1 aps and apply to the base. The APS helps give a better
cover to the MDF without soaking too far into it. If you are using a non-
porous surface (ie prepared canvas), the addition of APS is not necessary.
You can apply the paint with either a sponge or a brush, as is your
choice. Leave to dry or use a gentle hairdryer to speed up the process.
Once dry apply a coat of Décor Crackle to the area that you would like
crackled.
Load your brush well with the Décor Crackle and let it flow off the
brush.
A wide, flat brush is the best.
DO NOT WORK THE DECOR CRACKLE TOO MUCH.
The medium must flow off the brush and leave a good layer where
required. You get bigger and better cracks if the medium is a thicker
layer, finer cracks if you have a thinner layer, but if you work the
medium too much it will not activate.
Leave to dry or use a gentle hairdryer to speed up the process.
Once the Decor Crackle is dry you can apply a contrasting top coat of
paint. Again, do not over work the paint. Get in and get out. If you over
work it you will stop the crackling process.
When choosing your topcoat colour, please be aware that the crackle will
not work if a metallic paint is used (i.e. Gold) or an iridescent/pearl paint
(there is a different process to use with the iridescent/pearl paint).
You can apply the top coat of colour with either a brush or a sponge.
Leave to dry or use a gentle hairdryer to speed up the process.
Once the top layer of paint has dried you may start to see some cracks
appearing. To increase the quality and number of cracks apply some
Crackle Medium with a brush.
Again, leave to dry or use a gentle hairdryer to speed up the process.
The time between putting the décor crackle on and applying the top coat
is recommended as ‘up to 6 hours’ when drying naturally (no hairdryer),
but I have before left it for up to a week and the crackle has still
worked. If uncertain, try it.