Furniture, Wood and Cabinetry Finishing - creating weathered, cracked look with paint
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08-29-01, 11:29 PM
I have a bookcase made of particle board, which is presently varnished. I would like to paint it and create a cracked or weathered look. How can I do this? Also, will this be practical for a bookcase...will the paint chip off too easily? Thanks for any advice.
George
09-09-01, 05:17 AM
Kelbel:
Paint the surface completely and allow it to dry. This is the base coat.
Thin some white glue with a little water and paint the surface with a light coat of the glue mixture.
While the glue is still slightly wet, carefully brush on a top coat of paint in a color that contrasts with the base coat. Paint lightly and in one direction only. Don't go over the same area twice with your paint brush.
Let dry and tiny cracks will develop in the top coat. The base coat will show through the cracks.
Seal the surface with varnish or polyurethane sealant. (You don't want to let that spiffy new finish get old and worn!)
Instead of using glue, you could use a crackle medium available from craft and paint stores. It produces more even and predictable results, but it's a little more expensive. Craft stores also sell kits that make it easy for beginners to get crackin'.
Latex or acrylic paint with a matte or satin finish seems to work best for this project.
Paint the surface completely and allow it to dry. This is the base coat.
Thin some white glue with a little water and paint the surface with a light coat of the glue mixture.
While the glue is still slightly wet, carefully brush on a top coat of paint in a color that contrasts with the base coat. Paint lightly and in one direction only. Don't go over the same area twice with your paint brush.
Let dry and tiny cracks will develop in the top coat. The base coat will show through the cracks.
Seal the surface with varnish or polyurethane sealant. (You don't want to let that spiffy new finish get old and worn!)
Instead of using glue, you could use a crackle medium available from craft and paint stores. It produces more even and predictable results, but it's a little more expensive. Craft stores also sell kits that make it easy for beginners to get crackin'.
Latex or acrylic paint with a matte or satin finish seems to work best for this project.