Bypass the flea market and go straight to a faux-aged finish
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Cracks are one of the many ways that coatings (film forming transparent finishes and paints) can fail. They occur in a variety of forms to include checking, crazing, cracking, alligatoring, and mud cracking. Cracks allow water and water vapor to get in and the moisture causes the wood to swell which then causes the finish to start peeling. The cycle gets progressively worse (like the blue paint in the picture). Another type of breakage, called cold checking or cracking, is caused by exposing the finished item to freeze/thaw cycles.
Estimated Time
Skill: Easy
The brush-on crackle medium does all the work for you.
Vintage-furniture hounds spend years tracking down painted pieces that have just the right patina, its cracked layers of color just oozing with charm. You can shortcut that journey with contrasting shades of flat latex paint and a special medium that comes out of the can as a milky liquid, goes on clear, and shrinks and cracks the paint color layered on top of it, revealing glimpses of the base shade. Crackle medium ages furniture right before your eyes. Which means you can create your own version of a piece's history, with colors of your choosing, whether you're aging one that's actually old or not.
Paint:Benjamin Moore's Sweet Pea (base coat) and Autumn Purple (top coat)
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How to Match a Paint Color
Tip
To artificially age the kitchen island shown here, decorative painter Ingrid Leess started by priming it, then brushing on a coat of flat lime green. The following day, she applied a thick layer of crackle medium, using a clean brush and taking care not to overwork it and dry it out. She let it dry for an hour (the medium must cure for 1 to 4 hours to work), then used a clean, dry brush to add a coat of purple. Soon after, it began to shrink, revealing bits of green—and faux history—beneath. A protective clear coat is an option, but here an unvarnished finish reinforces the worn look.
Cracking in an automotive paint job may occur in the clear coat over the paint or in the base color of the paint. Cracks form for many reasons. There may be a structural issue in the sheet metal below the paint that results in cracking. Imperfections during the painting process can also cause cracking in the paint after a period of time, such as when the paint is incorrectly mixed or applied in a very thick layer. To fix cracking on a car, you will need supplies that can be purchased from auto supply shops. If the cracking is widespread or severe, you should contact a professional.
Step 1
Clean the cracked surface using a degrease cleaner and a sponge or cloth. Degrease cleaner will remove build-up from the paint.
Step 2
Sand the surface using a rough grit of sandpaper, such as a 60 grit. Use the water to flush the sandpaper and surface to keep the sanded paint even. Sand enough of the surface to even the cracked area without reaching the sheet metal below the paint job.
Step 3
Wipe the sanded area with the degrease cleaner to remove residue.
Step 4
Prime the area with an automotive primer, if the primer has been sanded away. If the cracking occurred in the clear coat and you did not need to sand down to the primer, you do not need to prime again. Apply the primer with a paintbrush if necessary, or spray it on if it is a spray primer.
Step 5
Allow the primer to dry and cure per the manufacturer's directions.
Step 6
Paint the area using touch-up paint. Touch up paint can be purchased from automotive supply stores. Allow the paint to dry per the manufacturer's directions. Apply the paint with a paintbrush if necessary, or spray it on if it is a spray paint.
Crackle Paint Finish On Walls
Wax the newly painted area using a car wax and sponge or cloth. Waxing the area will restore shine and protect the surface from future damage.
Tip
- If the cracking paint has spread to a large area, or if the cracks are deep enough to show the sheet metal, contact a professional. Cracks in the paint may be due to imperfections in the sheet metal below, which would necessitate professional repairs.
Warning
- Work in a well ventilated, warm, dry area to reduce inhalation of fumes and particles during the sanding and painting process.
Items you will need
- Degrease cleaner
- Sponges or cloths
- Sandpaper
- Water
- Primer, if necessary
- Paintbrush, if necessary
- Touch up paint in the same color as the paint job
- Car Wax
Cracked Paint Look
Cracking Paint Finish
- Cracked Weathered Paint image by ryasick from Fotolia.com