crackle finish?

[Mofo-Kang]

How do you do a "crackle finish," something like this:

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Very curious...makes my imagination start working.

 

[Epicbad]

you get a certain type of lacquer(specifically designed for crackling), paint an under colour (in this case brown/black), put the lacquer on, then paint a top colour lightly (not too thick), and there you have it.

 

[vbasscustom]

really, huh, thats cool. i wonder how the ingrediants differ from normal laquer to make it crack like that.

 

[mpm32]

Paint your undercoat - let dry.

Paint on a layer of hide glue. Let dry 24 hrs

Paint on a latex top coat.

Once dry and crackled, clearcoat.

 

[Beej]

As epic said above, there is a specific product called "crackle medium". If your local paint store doesn't have it, try an art supply store. There are dozens of manufacturers who make it. I wouldn't recommend using the hide glue method, although it definitely works, it won't yield uniform cracks in the paint above.

Here's a link with a how to: Invalid Link Removed

I have found I can get better crackling in the top paint by painting the crackle medium on in a "swirling pattern" as opposed to straight brush strokes. The straight strokes will yield straight-looking crackles, whereas the swirl will make them much more random, like the guitar in the link you posted.

 

[Mofo-Kang]

awesome advice, guys. that's why I love these forums!

 

[EagleMoon]

I've done several tables with this finish. Lowes carries it.

 

[Yvarg]

You can also buy specialized spray paint cans from art stores to do this. I think I bought some at Michael's a few years ago . . .

 

[PasdaBeer]

hrm...Ive done this a complete diffrent way ( granted this was doing automotive paint )

Lay on black basecoat, let dry

Spray on very wet coat of a high metalic silver ( or gold if your that tacky : P ) Let sit for 5 min or so, then use balled up plastic wrap ( or bubble wrap depending on what kinda pattern ) and dab it all over the body. Let fully cure

Spray on a tinted clear coat, let dry, wetsand, then spray on final clear coat(s)