Create A Crackled Distressed Look Using Elmer’s Glue

One of the easiest ways to create a crackled distressed look is by using Elmer’s glue. I’ve used this technique many times to create an aged patina. It’s super affordable and goof proof. One thing you need to remember when you create a crackled distressed patina or any aged patina is that you have to go with it. Don’t try to create something perfect. If you are afraid to try this on a piece of furniture than get some scrap wood or a cheapo piece of furniture from a garage sale or a thrift store and practice. You’ll get the feel of how much glue to use, how thick to put it on and how much paint to use. You can also try layering using different paint colors so I always recommend practicing first.

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Before I share how to create a crackled distressed look let’s talk about practicing first. Don’t try this technique if you’re unsure of whether you will like it or not. Get an old piece of furniture or wood and practice on it. I’m never afraid to try new techniques and I just go with it. For example I created a layered look on a mantel a few years ago. I painted it using milk paint. After I painted it most of the paint chipped off. Instead of panicking I just went with it. I applied a coat of chalk paint right on the top of the chippy milk paint and the results are pure chippy perfection. You can read more about that here.

So let’s get started. Here’s the supplies you will need for this project.

• Elmer’s glue
• Chalk based paint
• Foam brush or old brush for the glue

I’m going to share what I did to create a crackled distressed patina . I painted my table with milk paint several years ago. The color is ironstone from Miss Mustard Seed. I decided to paint right over the milk paint. Since the milk paint was my base I didn’t need to base coat my piece. If you are starting out with your piece and you want a similar look you can paint your piece using milk paint. Here’s the secret to getting a cheat way create a chippy distressed look using milk paint. Don’t use a bonding agent and paint on a surface that’s slick. This is always a gamble because you never really know what will happen. But for me that’s part of the fun. When I painted on this piece using the milk paint it started chipping naturally without sanding it off. This doesn’t always work so you never know. It’s always a risk. Sometimes it can chip off too much. Just know that before trying this.

So let’s get back to the tutorial. After your milk paint is fully dried wipe off any loose pieces of chippy paint. Then apply a coat of Elmer’s glue to your piece. Make sure to protect your floor first before applying the glue. Especially if you are doing this on a large piece of furniture. This will drip whether you apply it thick or thin. And don’t worry about the drips just go with it.

If you apply the glue thick you will have a thick crackle finish if you apply it thin you will have a thin crackle finish. Let the glue dry only until it’s still tacky. Don’t let the glue completely dry. Next paint a coat of chalk based paint. Be very gentle and don’t push or pull on the brush. It’s kind of like painting your nails. When you put the second coat of nail polish on the polish is still wet, so you use a lighter hand. It’s the same with this technique. As it’s drying you will start to see it crackle. I think the milk paint made mine peel up a little and I really love that look.

No Milk Paint

You don’t have to use this technique with milk paint. I just think that it gave it more texture because it peeled up a bit. So if you’re starting a piece paint it using chalk paint. Let it fully dry then apply a coat of glue then another coat of paint once the glue is tacky. You can use two different colors of paint as well. One color for the base and another color for the final top coat. You can also seal it once it’s completely dry. But the paint that I used does not require a top coat as it’s in the formula. Yep that’s right no primer or top coat is needed which I love.

I haven’t added my dark wax yet. I just have a small section that I started to apply wax. I did this because I was also sharing this tutorial for a video that I shared on my YouTube channel. The added wax will give this look more of an aged patina that resembles tobacco stains.

You don’t have to add the wax if you don’t want that look. Do what makes you happy. This is such and easy technique and I think painting over the milk paint is one of the best results I’ve gotten so far. I used this technique a few years ago on my dining hutch that I used to have in my kitchen. The drips and imperfections created amazing texture in my piece resembling real authentic looking aged patina.

You can see how the dark wax really brought out the details with the glue crackle finish. It’s very layered. Some of these were drips and it’s why I say don’t worry about the drips. It gives a piece more character and interest. You can see below how some of the paint slid a bit. That’s why adding the dark wax will also create more attention to these imperfections making it look more authentic.

So what do you think? Are you ready to try this technique? Let me know in the comments if you’ve tried this technique and what the results were.

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