What are good methods to get crackled varnish?
John Aniano in central NJ...
>Hello All,
What are the best methods that people have used to achieve a crackled varnish or shellac surface? I think I understand the basic idea: put on a slow drying coat first followed by a faster drying coat applied while the first is somewhat tacky. The second coat dries faster and shrinks making the first coat crackle. I've did this once with a painted surface and a glue layer, but to crackle a clear finish might be different.
Any suggestions as to the first/second coat materials and application methods? I'm leaning towards trying an oil varnish for the first layer, wait a bit until tacky and then apply the same varnish with the addition of Japan drier to speed the curing. I will obviously try this concept out first on scrap pieces, but with all that collective wisdom out there, someone has to have done this before and I don't have to reinvent the wheel...
Thanks,
John