Jo Sonja Crackle Medium - 250ml

A transparent medium that separates to create crackle patterns, resulting in a an aged or crazed appearance. 

Use for a one-step crackling process, over backgrounds or a finished acrylic painting, or for creating crazing effects. This Crackle Medium can be used on furniture and decor projects, paintings and crafts. 

Apply a thin coat of Crackle Medium for fine cracks, a moderate coat for medium cracks, a thick coat for large cracks.

TIP: We recommend that you test your technique before committing to a project.

Features:

• 250ml Bottle with flip cap

• Suitable for underpainting, finished acrylic art, or furniture

• Clean up with soap and water

Directions:

Think of a Crackle finish as a sandwich, first you apply the base coat of paint, then the Crackle Medium, and then the top coat paint colour. The Crackle Medium will crack the top coat exposing the base layer between the cracks giving an aged appearance. It is recommended to use contrasting paint colours for the base and top coats to create a more dramatic effect. The effect can also be created on sanded timber.

Crackle Medium is not suitable to use with oil paintings or oil based finishes. 

1. Make sure the surface of your object or painting is clean and dry.

2. Apply Crackle Medium over the base coat working a small area at a time with brush suitable to surface size. Work quickly using a criss-cross motion to apply Crackle Medium. Slightly blend out the brushstrokes as you apply the medium. The crackle pattern will follow the direction of the brushstrokes. Do not brush back over previously applied medium that has started to dry as doing so may cause the Crackle Medium to lift. Crackle Medium will level out slightly as it dries and will dry clear.

3. Allow to air dry undisturbed.

4. Crackle Medium is formulated to separate into a crazed or crackle pattern as it dries. Paint layers that have dried but not cured may also separate. The thicker and fresher the paint, the deeper and cleaner the crackle pattern will be. DO NOT USE A HAIR DRYER between coats of base colour. Warm air will cure the paint and prevent the crackle from working properly. The base colour will show through the crackle pattern if an uncured contrasting colour is applied before the application of the Crackle Medium.

5. After crackled surface is completely dry, gently sand surface using #400 to #600 grit sandpaper until desired smoothness is attained. Wipe to remove dust. Any that remains in the crackle pattern will disappear with antiquing or glazing.

6. Crackle Medium will leave surface slick. Pattern application may need to be modified. Light sanding should decrease “slickness” of the surface.

7. Antiquing may be applied to the surface to accentuate the crackle pattern. If painting is applied over the crackled background, 1-2 coats of Clear Glaze Medium may be applied as a barrier coat. Thin contrasting colour with Retarder Medium and brush into cracks. Remove the excess with a soft cloth moistened with Retarder.

8. Allow to dry completely before varnishing. Any Acrylic Varnish or furniture varnish can be used to varnish your finished piece.