help with crackle finish

[simplestudios]

Hi,

I purchased wooden letters for my daughter's room that I want to paint a design on and have the crackle finish applied to it.

I am unclear as to when I apply the crackle paint. The stuff I bought at Michael's Craft Store has two steps. Do I paint my design on the wooden letters, THEN do the bottom coat crackle on top of the design, then the top coat crackle finish?

-OR-

Do I do the base coat of the crackle finish, let dry, then paint my design over that, then do the top coat of the crackle finish?

Also, the paint I bought to do my design is acrylic. Is that okay? The crackle finish top and bottom coat cans say that it is white. Would I need "clear" in order to see my design through the paint? Very confused. Please help!!!

thanks

debi@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx.com

[Annette]

i've personally never used crackle paint, but from i understand, you apply a base color. then you apply the top coat, which will crack and expose the base color thru the cracks. so, for example, if your base coat is green, and then the top coat is white, the white will crack and leave the green showing in just the cracks. you will basically be left with a white item with just a little green showing in the cracks.

whatever design you're painting on these letters will be almost completely covered up by the top coat. so do any designs last, after the crackle is complete. you could then seal it all with a clear...