I have a mirror with pine wood around that I'd really like to change. I've bought new white furniture for my bedroom so I want everything to match!
I want to paint it white, but how do I create an old crackled wood effect so that it looks as if the paint is falling off. I would really like to have two layers of white paint, so that you can still see the white base paint once the second layer of paint has crackled off. So it is just completely white but the second layer is cracking off... and what sort of protection would I need to put on the wood afterwards so that it will protect the cracked paint. anyone know what I'm on about? If so got any tips?
Thanks

i know what you mean!!
you can get water based crackin varnish, i have some here now, so i know it exhists!! mine is by 'Polyvine' and i bought it a while ago in Focus, but other DIY and larger craft stores sell it. its only a little bottle but it lasts ages!
there are 2 types: little cracks (craquleure) like what happens to chinaware plates etc over time, and bigger worn out old paint cracks (crackle glaze), which is what is mostly used on tv. both are water based, both can be a bit tricky to use, but both give great reults if you follow the instructions!!
i reckon the one you mean is the crackle glaze, but to see the effect you would need to use two shades of white (maybe a magnolia base and off white on top) to get the contrast, but its up to you!! crackle glaze is in theory not hard to use, but you have to stick to the instructions! paint base coat on and let dry completely, then paint the glaze on in the direction you want the cracks to appear, and let it dry for recommended time, and paint over the top coat in one direction with a fully loaded brush. if you keep going over it, it just gets clogged and looks rubbish! i would suggest trying out some colourways and brushstrokes on card to practice before you start on the real frame!
hope this helps, if you need more info, just ask!!
Riah

......to protect it, a couple of coats of spray varnish works wonders (check compatibility with top coat paint!!) you get an even covering with the spray, and no extra brushmarks!

Riah