The Clouds

This simple technique will rejuvenate your crackled surface. The subtle aging produced by varnish crackling easily adds an elegant hint of nostalgia to cherished pieces.

Step 1 — Preparation

• If necessary, use TSP to remove grease from surface for better paint adhesion.
  
  

• Patch all holes and remove all peeling paint. Sand refinished wood furniture lightly with sandpaper #220.
  
  
• Then, prime with Prime Time Duo Primer sealer/Undercoater 1140-05. For new wood surfaces, use Prime Time Undercoater 1342-05.

Step 2 — Base Colour

• Except on doors and drawer, apply 2 or 3 coats of ILLUSIO ARTIFICE Pearlescent latex paint #8564-78 "Copper" as a base colour, using a brush or roller.
  
  
• To achieve an even iridescent effect during application of the base colour, be sure to vary the direction of brushstroke, for example, by applying overlapping X's.
  
  
• Allow to dry 6 to 8 hours between each coat.
  
  

• On doors and drawer, apply 2 coats of velvet finish latex paint #B204-12 "Shaker Blue", using a brush or roller. Allow to dry 6 to 8 hours.
  
  
• Be sure to test cloud and crackling technique on a practice board first.

Shaker Blue B204-12		Copper 8564-78
Mille Feuille P114-00		Totem C223-32

Step 3 — Clouds

• Blend 3 parts ILLUSIO MASCARADE Glaze to 1 part velvet finish latex paint, colour #P114-00 "Mille Feuille".
  
  
• Dip a small brush lightly into the glaze and remove excess by blotting on cardboard or paper towel until the brush is almost dry.
  
  
• Then, draw small irregular clouds by dabbing the almost-dry brush several times. This will create soft, shaded off clouds. Repeat the process until you finish covering the desired surfaces with clouds.
  
  

• Allow to dry 6 to 8 hours.

Step 4 — Varnishing

• Thoroughly blend Crackling and, using a roller, spread a thin coat evenly on doors and drawer first, working horizontally.
  
  

• As soon as Crackling is dry to the touch, which takes at least one hour (and a maximum of 4 hours), apply one coat of BRïO latex varnish (velvet finish #8565-11), using a long nap roller. Avoid additional application on previously treated surface. The varnish will crack instantly, but the cracks will be hardly visible.
  
  
• Allow to dry 7 days.

Step 5 — Aging

• Prepare a new glaze mixture by blending 4 parts MASCARADE Glaze to 1 part velvet finish latex paint, colour #C223-32, "Totem".
  
  

• Dip a rag into glaze and wring out lightly. Wipe the crackled surfaces lightly to "stain" the cracks and provide an aged, antique look to clouds.

Step 6 — Finishing

• Be sure to protect your piece of furniture by applying 2 coats of ILLUSIO BRïO latex velvet finish varnish #8565-11 (also available in gloss finish #8565-12), using a brush.