Natural Crackle

If you’re looking to re-create an antique crackled finish, Real Milk Paint Company Natural Crackle is the answer.  Natural Crackle is a natural, non-toxic, biodegradable gelatin you can use to make a large, heavy “crocodile” crackle, or a fine hairline crackle look.

You can use Real Milk Paint Company Natural Crackle on large or small projects.  It is great for kitchen cabinets, furniture, or craft projects.  Natural Crackle will adhere to a variety of surfaces: wood, paint, varnish, metal, glass, and drywall.  Always test first before doing your final project.

How to Apply Natural Crackle:

The following video, used with permission from The Real Milk Paint Company, will help you with “crackling” process.  Please read through our notes below the video for important information.  And, as always, we highly suggest that you make a test sample before doing your final project.

• Make sure the surface you’d like to show through the cracks is dry, clean and free of dust, dirt and debris.

For Large Cracks:

• Use a soft, clean brush to apply two coats of Natural Crackle. Allow each coat to dry for 2 hours.
• Apply the two coats of Real Milk Paint® over the crackle.
• IMPORTANT: Don’t let the first coat of milk paint dry thoroughly.  The second coat of milk paint must be applied when the first coat is just dry enough to accept a second coat.  If the first coat dries too long, it will begin to crackle and you will not be able to apply the second coat.
• As the paint dries, the cracks will form.
• Clean Natural Crackle from your brush with water.
• Apply a protective topcoat (see below) to preserve your Crackle Finish once it has fully dried.

For Fine Cracks:

• Using a soft, clean brush, apply one coat of Natural Crackle over the finish you’d like to show through.
• Allow it to dry thoroughly, which will take 2 hours.
• Apply one top coat of Real Milk Paint® over the Natural Crackle.
• If your first test doesn’t result in fine enough cracks, you can thin Natural Crackle with water to make finer cracks.
• Clean Natural Crackle from your brush with water.
• Apply a protective topcoat (see below) to protect your finished piece.
• Apply a protective topcoat to your finished piece once it has fully dried.

Suggested Topcoats for Natural Crackle Finishes

IMPORTANT:  To preserve the crackled finish you’ve achieved, you must seal it from exposure to the air.

• Oil based topcoats such as Pure Tung Oil, Dark Tung Oil, Fiddes Clear Glaze (varnish), or lacquer work well.
• Application of wet, water based finishes may destroy the crackle effect.
• If you prefer a water based finish, the thicker Real Milk Paint Company Finishing Cream or Finishing Glaze will work well as a topcoat.