Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Slap some paint on that Potting Bench and call it done!

If you followed along in the last video you should have a finished Potting Bench all ready for some color and fun.

Heck, even if you didn't follow along, you can look at this latest video and see how to paint something and apply a quick and easy crackle finish without the expense of the "more costly" brand-name crackle mediums.

Here is the video on YouTube that shows how I applied three different layers of paint to the potting bench I made.

 
 
After watching the video, I think some of you may have been surprised that you could use regular ol' Elmer's School Glue as a crackle medium.  I was shocked the first time I found out and wish I had known sooner before spending a small fortune on a project buying the small bottles of the name brand crackle medium.
 
Here are some tips to help out should you decide to do this project.
 
Don't buy the fancy stuff, get the $1 bottle from the discount store.
 
*  When applying the glue, following the grain will give you cracks that run the grain of the wood
 
*  If you want small cracks and more of a crazing, apply the glue with a small brush in an "X" pattern.
 
*  DO NOT let your glue dry completely before putting on your top layer of paint. If you do, it will not crack.  The glue must still be sticky when you put on that next layer of paint.
 
*  The cracking shows up best if you use contrasting paint colors for base coat and top coat, but you can do some really pretty effects with tone-on-tone colors, especially if you do some antiquing like I did.
 
* Work on small sections at a time.  The total crackle process on this bench took me about 2 hours.
 
* Make sure that you let the top coat of paint dry for at least a few hours.  Even when you think it is dry, leave it alone.  The cracks will continue to happen as long as the glue under the paint is drying. I prefer letting it sit overnight befor doing anything else to it.
 
 
I hope you enjoyed this video and I hope you try this finish on something.  You can do some incredible effects.  Looking for something with an Asian flair? Perhaps a bit of Gold base coat under a black or red top coat.  Just saying.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Thanks again for following along with me on this journey and like I always say...
 
Till later!

17 comments:

  1. thank you for that great tip, I have often looked at the paint needed to give the crackle effect but always felt it was expensive, so I will definitely give your method a try,

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    1. Debbie, I sure hope you do try it. I would love to see what you do.

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  2. I literally stumbled across using simply white glue as a crackle medium while being impatient to paint something and went right over wet glue. Serendipity! I think the glue works even BETTER than the expensive crackle medium and your potting bench looks fab!

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    1. Tabitha, don't you love a happy accident? Thanks for the thumbs up on the bench. Not sure what I'm going to do next. I'm going to have to dig through my stash of stuff and see what rises to the top.

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  3. Hello Dale,
    Thank you for the video and the great tips. I'm always hesitant to use a new product in case I should ruin the piece. It's really helpfull to have feedback like this...so happy I'm following your blog!
    Big hug,
    Giac

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    1. Thanks Giac. Don't be afraid, that is why they invented scrap wood and matt board, so you can play and try new things. I'm sure with all your building you have some scrap laying around. :-) Give it a shot.
      Great to have you around here.

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  4. Hi Dale, Thankyou, thankyou for this technique. I love the look of crackle and I have used the "expensive" technique and felt completely unsatisfied!
    I really love that we can share our experiences.
    So pleased you visited my blog and I was able to follow you back.
    regards Janine

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  5. Hi Janine! Thanks for following along with me on my blog. It was a pleasure to spend time looking at yours and I have so much to still look at.

    I hope you give this technique a try and it works better for you. You will have to let me know.

    Dale

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  6. Hi Dale,

    Great blog!! I had a look the other day and ran out of time to comment. You really have a fantastic knowledge of miniatures and some fab tutorials. I will have a better look today, when i came here last the videos would load but they seem to be fine now!

    Fi xx

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  7. P.S Love your sense of humour!

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    1. Thanks. I'm great at laughing at myself. LOL

      Glad you were able to get the videos to load, YouTube can be a bit fickle at times.

      Thanks for joining my little miniature trip. I hope to have more tutorials up soon.

      Dale

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  8. Oh what a great blog you have! And this bench is amazing! I've never tried to crackle something before, but now I'll definitely try this technique! Thanks for showing how to do it! I found your blog today but will definitely follow your work =)
    Have a nice day!

    Anna- annasminiatures.blogspot.com

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    1. Hi Anna. Thanks for following along. Please give the crackle finish a try. You can always email me if you have any questions.

      Dale

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  9. Hello Dale ! Thank you for visiting my blog! I always try to pay return visits so I was happy to stay and view your videos! Well done, and I must say that the glue as a crackle base is brilliant! What do you think would happen if you took a hair blow dryer to the top coat to speed up the drying time? Do you think the crackle would still do it or not? Just curious. You also mentioned in your plant tutorial that you often struggle to get the glue/paint out of the squeeze tip applicator, JOIN the Club!!! I wish there was an invention to seriously keep the nozzle open instead of having to prod and poke it with a needle tool all the time! Anyway keep up the Great work that you are doing. LOVIN IT!
    elizabeth

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    1. Thanks Elizabeth. Glad you hung around and played here for a while. I'm not sure if the cracks would still appear if you sped up the top coat drying time or not, but would be fun to experiment and see. Might have to just do that.
      One day someone will invent a clogless glue top and get super rich and we will still be fussing with the old ones. HAHA.

      Dale

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  10. Wonderful video Dale, I've just discovered the world of miniatures & can see I'm going to become an addict. Love this potting bench & your tiny vegetables & baskets. Sometimes leaving a metal T pin in your glue will keep it flowing when you need it. Looking forward to seeing your next project & am certainly going to give the cheap crackle pair a try.
    Janie

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    1. Thanks Janie and thanks for the T=pin tip. :-) I hope to have more videos when life gets out the way and I get to play again.

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