Don't let the next Crackle job fall between the cracks!
By: John Kam

Crackle fades in and out of popularity on a regular basis. Right now the hottest trend in crackle is a random spot pattern crackle which may be around for a while. More shops would offer crackle if it were better understood from an application standpoint. This great effect is pleasing to most end customers and gives your shop an undefeatable competitive edge that the big cabinet retailers cannot duplicate. It is the effect and the variety of customized aesthetics that will secure more jobs. There are also new application techniques (e.g., wet-on-wet) that produce different and perhaps more appealing effects… in half the time!

This review is intended to organize the crackle options into a simple framework and highlight some guiding principles that will give shops the confidence and understanding that they need.

There are endless Crackle options including:

Crackled pigmented (opaque) coats over a contrasting colored base coat

Crackle with or without glaze

Complete Crackle or Spot Crackle

Large Crackle or small Crackle

Single part Crackle or Crackle that is mixed with a pigmented coat

Subtle light Crackle effect

GENERAL GUIDELINES

You can vary the base stain or base color, vary the crackle color, or vary the glaze color. The options can go on and on.

First: Crackle effects are usually used in conjunction with a stained or pigmented base coat.

Second: Most crackles are applied over a clear N/C or vinyl product unless otherwise noted or the "wet-on-wet" technique is used (see next guideline).

Third: Some Crackle products, like M.L. Campbell's subtle spot crackle; called Crack-L -ite, are not limited to the use of a clear vinyl or N/C basecoat. Crack-L-ite can also be applied directly over fresh wet material like Clawlock (post catalyzed pigmented base coat) or Krystal Sealer (post catalyzed sealer). Post catalyzed products are usually recommended since crackle jobs really look great when over-coated with glaze, and M.L. Campbell's Amazing Glaze is applied directly over cured post cats, in other words, no vinyl undercoat is required. This eliminates the use of a vinyl sealer above and below the crackle medium - a two-step labor saving! This system produces sophisticated subtle results with minimum labor.

Fourth: Glaze can be used to further enhance the job. Some traditional glazes require a vinyl over the crackle before glazing; however, Amazing Glaze does not require a vinyl undercoat if you follow the above guideline. A glazed crackle requires a topcoat to lock in the effect and protect the job.

Fifth: Always apply a topcoat(s) to protect the special effect and the overall wood piece.

Sixth: Inter-coat sanding is recommended unless otherwise specified.

Lastly, Crackle is an artistic treatment which means it will vary with application factors like base coat dry film build. Light base coats (under crackle) will form small thin cracks. Heavy base coats will create large cracks. Finishers can use a subtle crackle in spots or opt for crackle throughout the entire piece.

CLASSIC ONE PART CRACKLE

So let’s get started by reviewing a single component crackle which means it is not mixed with the topcoat but used by itself over a basecoat. It can be tinted to tie into a stain or pigmented base coat. M.L. Campbell just calls this product "Crackle”.

What it is:

Clear crackle that is usually tinted to a color to blend in with the color of the undercoat, and mask any resulting whitish haze.

Specific guidelines: Unless otherwise specified, tint to a color that matches the underlying stain or base coat color.

• Tint with Microton Dye Stain.
• Size of cracks are a function of base coat thickness, thin base coats (e.g., vinyl sealer) will produce many thin cracks, and thick base coats will produce large cracks.
• Glaze over Crackle, if desired.
• Apply a vinyl sealer over the glaze before top coating.

Always apply topcoat(s) to protect glaze and crackle effect and protect the substrate.

EXAMPLES

Ultimate effect: Stained wood with large cracks

Steps:
1. Stain with Woodsong Rich Cherry
2. Apply two coats of M.L. Campbell’s Vinyl Sealer, and let tack
3. Tint Crackle with 10% Microton Orange Dye Stain
4. Spray on tinted Crackle
5. Top coat with protective clear like M.L. Campbell’s DuraVar or MagnaMax

Note: For thinner cracks, apply less Vinyl Sealer

Ultimate effect: Natural wood with spot Crackle and enhanced glaze effect

Steps:
1. Two coats of M.L. Campbell WW Clear Vinyl Sealer - let tack
2. Apply M.L. Campbell Crackle (untinted) in random spots
3. One coat Woodsong Glaze tinted with M.L. Campbell Van Dyke Brown
4. Apply one coat of M.L. Campbell Vinyl Sealer
5. Top coat(s) of MagnaMax Satin


CRACKLE PLUS (Two part Crackle)

What it is: This product is typically mixed with a pigmented catalyzed product to produce a solid color crackle coat. Crackle Plus is mixed 2 to 1 with the catalyzed product (2 parts Crackle Plus to 1 part catalyzed top coat). Always be sure that the catalyzed product has in fact been catalyzed before adding to Crackle Plus. Catalyzed products are a good choice if you plan on using a labor saving glaze like M.L. Campbell's Amazing Glaze^TM.

Specific Guidelines: Usually tinted to a color that complements or contrasts with base coat.

• MLC Distributor Color Studio can tint to over 800 fan deck colors
• Glaze over Crackle if desired, if so, apply a vinyl sealer over the glaze before topcoating
• Can Be applied over a clear or pigmented vinyl or N/C

EXAMPLES

Ultimate Effect: Two-tone opaque crackle effect

Steps:
1. Two coats of M.L. Campbell White Vinyl Primer (or tinted by MLC Distributor Stain Studio).
2. Mix 2 parts of Crackle Plus to 1 part MLC Post Catalyzed Resistant tinted to desired color by MLC Color Studio. Be sure to catalyze Resistant before mixing with Crackle Plus.
3. Apply Crackle Plus
4. Top coat(s) with MLC Krystal Satin.

CRACK-L- ITE ^TM

What it is: A new type of crackle product that produces sophisticated, subtle, and low relief cracks. Crack-L-ite sands back easily to further reduce the relief (height) of the cracks. This product can be applied in the traditional "wet over dry" vinyl method, or the new "wet-over-wet" method listed below.

Specific Guidelines Wet on dry method is no different than what most shops are used to:

• Apply crackle medium over a clear vinyl or clear N/C basecoat.
• If using the wet-on-dry method with Crack-L-ite, please note that pigmented vinyl or N/C basecoats will not crack as readily as clear vinyl and N/C should be avoided.
• If you need to incorporate a pigmented basecoat into your job, just apply a clear vinyl sealer or N/C over the pigmented basecoat before applying Crack-L-ite.

Wet-on-wet method is a great effect and time saver. You do not have to use only a clear vinyl sealer. Your base coat can also be a conversion varnish or a catalyzed lacquer. Base coat should be wet. Spray Crack-L-ite over wet basecoat. Spot crackling (vs. complete crackling) is a personal preference and seems to appeal to a wider group of customers. Allow Crack-L-ite to dry thoroughly, then inter-coat sand.

Glazing is usually employed to accentuate the crackle effect. If the basecoat, used above, was applied "wet-on wet" and is a post catalyzed product, like Resistant, Krystal or DuraVar, it will not be necessary to apply a clear catalyzed coat over the Crack-L-ite effect before applying Amazing Glaze. Another time and labor saving will be realized.

EXAMPLES

Ultimate effect 1: Subtle spot crackle over stained job

Steps:
1. Apply M.L. Campbell Woodsong wiping stain (Cinnamon)
2. Apply one coat of WW clear vinyl
3. Ask your M.L. Campbell Distributor to make up a small amount of Cinnamon shading lacquer additive
4. Mix shading lacquer additive to Crack-L-ite (1 oz. additive to 16 ozs. quart Crack-L-ite)
5. Apply tinted Crack-L-ite in random spots. Sand with 320 grit.
6. Apply 1 coat WW Vinyl and sand with 320 grit.
7. Apply M.L. Campbell Traditional Glaze (N220-28) tinted to Van Dyke Brown (MLC Distributor can supply shop with this pre-tinted glaze.
8. Fog-apply another coat of tinted glaze in corners.
9. Apply one coat of WW vinyl.
10. Apply MLC Topcoat.

Ultimate effect 2: Subtle spot crackle and glaze over pigmented base using the "wet-on wet" method.

Steps:
1. Two coats of Clawlock tinted ( in this case tinted to ML Campbell Vanilla by distributor Stain Studio ^TM. Leave wet. Do not let 2nd coat of Clawlock tack up.
2. Apply untinted Crack-L-ite to wet base coat of Clawlock.Apply in random spots
3. Apply Amazing Glaze (tinted by a ML Campbell distributor Stain Studio) to ML Campbell Friar's Robe). Abrade off unwanted glaze within 1 to 3 minutes
4. Apply top coat(s) of ML Campbell non yellowing Krystal

Recap:

Crackle effects are the most involved of all special effects and shops should quote appropriately. Used in conjunction with glaze, and the popular "spot" pattern, your shop has a true competitive edge. Your show pieces will be a magnet for the eyes of your customers. The "wet-on-wet" method gives you the best of all worlds: A more subtle effect in far less steps and time than the traditional wet-on-dry method.

A second reading of this article, and practice on a few of the examples above is recommended. We encourage calls from shops on any questions you may have. Just call M.L. Campbell's toll free Technical Services line at 1(800) 364-1359.

John Kam is M.L. Campbell's Senior Product Manager, and has been involved with wood coatings, customer market support, and new product launches for more than 20 years. John recommends that shops contact their Distributor and obtain some of these products for trial. Of special interest are the new breed of crackle products and the "wet on wet" method. These special effects help promote that custom personal service that the ultimate customer seeks.

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