Decorative plaster with a craquelure effect – the breath of time in your interior

Crateau-effect decorative plaster gives a distinctive touch to any interior. This finish gives your walls character and a sense of history by simulating the natural cracking seen in aged surfaces. It’s a method to add a rustic or vintage touch and make your house feel cozy and welcoming.

The craquelure effect tells a story in addition to being aesthetically pleasing. Your walls will have an aged, artistic quality as a result of the plaster’s reflection of time in every crack and line. This method gives you a unique way to make your interior stand out, whether you’re remodeling an old space or adding charm to a new one.

The craquelure effect is surprisingly easy to achieve, so both professionals and do-it-yourselfers can do it. You can create a piece of art on your walls that illustrates the timeless nature of design with the appropriate supplies and a little bit of perseverance.

Any interior is given a distinct, aged charm by decorative plaster with a craquelure effect, which simulates natural wear and tear and the passage of time. This finish gives walls more personality and depth, giving rooms a lived-in, historically significant feel while also adding a contemporary, artistic touch.

Advantages and disadvantages

It would be sufficient to emphasize the following benefits if we discussed the advantages and disadvantages of this type of coating separately:

• pronounced decorativeness;
• uniqueness (it is impossible to foresee what shape artificial cracks will take);
• versatility of application (the compositions fit well on surfaces of any kind – concrete, brick, plasterboard);
• appropriateness in the interior (Kracle can decorate the ceiling, columns, walls, base);
• moisture resistance of the coating;
• the ability to enhance the effect or eliminate it by painting;
• environmental friendliness of the crack-forming composition;
• can hide the flaws of small walls;
• durability.

Drawbacks:

• a certain complexity of doing craquelure plaster with your own hands;
• high cost of materials.

Necessary materials

The time interval between the drying of materials "for craquelure" and the coating’s cracking is what determines how antique plaster cracks. Being a "slippery" base for the coating, the under-dried craquelure composition actively "pumps out" water from the paint and varnish material as well as the water-based plaster composition. Working materials are chosen with this in mind.

To produce a craquelure effect in your finish, you will need to buy the following compositions:

• one- or two-component craquelure varnish (consumption per 1 m2 in one layer – 50 g);
• acrylic paint, which has the desired color, for the "substrate";
• special grout (if you want to make cracks clearly visible, grout should be purchased in contrasting colors);
• textured plaster mixture (Venetian can be used);
• primer;
• protective varnish composition.

Tools for work

The type of tool used to apply the varnish affects the shape of the cracks. When using a soft brush to apply craquelure varnish, the cracks take the shape of deep, parallel grooves. Using a sponge to apply varnish results in a pattern that resembles a fine mesh with tiny cracks. Considering this, you ought to choose a varnish application tool.

The task will need:

• narrow and wide spatulas;
• roller to apply primer and paint;
• large brush with soft bristles;
• sponge;
• fine-grained sandpaper;
• spray gun;
• masking tape;
• hair dryer;
• clean rags.

Preparing the wall surface

New walls are putty if the craquelure effect finish is applied, giving a smooth base. Wallpaper and outdated paint should be taken down, and plaster that has been previously finished should be leveled and repaired before coating the walls. Paint can be left on if it is still strong and applied on a level surface. The walls must be cleared of dust and putty before being primed after the previous coating is removed.

Application technique

The circumstances in which you create the craquelure coating by hand have an impact on the outcome. Because of this, it’s essential to maintain a consistent temperature (18–25 °C) and humidity level in the space and to keep drafts at bay until the finished coating with craquelure is entirely dry. The surfaces that need to be finished shouldn’t be too hot or cold. Direct sunlight should not be allowed to touch them. There should be no moisture in the room—up to 70%. As a result, planning the work for the spring or fall is advised.

Cramélure requires a certain set of skills and dexterity. It appears that the best place to start would be with a piece of puttied and primed plywood or fiberboard. Observe the location, timing, and method of the crack’s formation.

Outcome of coating with craquelure

Base

Plaster or gypsum putty serves as the base for craquelure. It must be applied in a layer no thicker than 2 mm to prevent peeling due to the craquelure varnish’s deforming effects. After the putty dries, lumps are removed using sandpaper. The wall is then dried after this. The color selected for the cracks is applied to a layer of acrylic paint on the base, or the color is mixed into the putty.

Acrylic paint is another option for a craquelure base. It is applied without permission using a roller. The wall is allowed to dry for at least five to six hours after painting.

Layer of varnish

One- and two-component varnishing are available. When varnishing with one component, there is only one layer; when varnishing with two components, there are two layers (applied with a drying interval in between). Below is a description of the one-component varnishing procedure.

Using the chosen tool, a craquelure varnish is applied to the dried base, being careful not to drip or clot. The conditions for the formation of craquelure will be uneven if they are left. Drip locations will result in "correct" cracks not working, the plaster layer above being compromised during processing, and this is an irreversible flaw.

Crack formation is influenced by the direction in which the varnish composition is applied. When the composition is applied strictly vertically, diagonally, or horizontally, the finished cracks will mostly face in the same direction. Consequently, the roller is employed to add more decoration.

The thickness of the varnish determines the width and depth of subsequent cracks.

At least four hours (ideally a day) are allowed for the varnish coating to dry. The tools (brushes and spray gun) are immediately cleaned after varnishing is complete because it will be challenging to remove the varnish if it dries. The factory container is used to store the remaining varnish.

Sometimes, the varnish is applied locally to achieve craquelure in specific areas of the wall rather than across the entire surface. After that, fissures appear where they are supposed to. The direction in which the varnish mass is applied and the varnish film’s thickness both affect the pattern and size of the cracks.

Because the varnish loses its ability to create craquelure on the walls, the time between drying and applying the finishing coat should not be longer than one week.

When making a purchase, it’s critical to clarify with the seller a critical aspect such as the duration of the craquelure varnish’s working life.

Finish coating

Textured paint, embossed decorative plaster, or smooth acrylic (Moroccan, Venetian) can be used as the finishing coat. The layer is thinner, the cracks are narrower, and the network is denser if the plaster composition is the consistency of cream. Cracks are less common but deeper and wider when the composition is thicker.

The area of cracks on the wall is roughly the same when the same materials and working conditions are used: there are more small cracks, a denser network, and fewer large cracks.

To get the craquelure effect on walls, follow these guidelines:

• since the main decorative element of craquelure is cracks, the relief patterns should not interfere with their perception (the relief is made shallow, the pattern is not too expressive);
• the finishing layer should be no more than 2-3 mm thick for the plaster composition, 1 mm for the paint layer.

• To apply and level the plaster composition, no more than 10 minutes are spent on the reserve (you should work quickly);
• The sections are joined "on the wet";
• If the wall is not plastered, but painted, there should not be more than 1 minute between the passages;
• Apply protective varnish no earlier than the finishing coat has dried;
• the finishing coat of plaster is allowed to dry for at least 2 days, paint – at least 24 hours.

See also: Moroccan plaster: components and method of application for an exclusive, moisture-resistant finish

Protective varnish and wax

The craquelure coating’s easy peeling off of finishing material in certain areas upon impact is a drawback. The craquelure layer is covered with wax or varnish to provide extra effect and to protect the resulting coating. Use a foam brush or sponge for application. Sandpaper is used to smooth the surface of the cracked layer prior to varnishing. Use a soft brush or a damp cloth after using a dry one to remove plaster dust.

The layer of varnish shouldn’t be excessively thick.

Based on design considerations, the type of varnish composition to open the craquelure coating is chosen. Cover with a clear composition or one with a metallic, mother-of-pearl, gold, or silver look. Wax can be used to open the acrylic paint final coat.

Tinted varnish or tinted wax can be used to highlight the cracks with color if the base is white and not tinted. They are used to remove extra glaze from the surface by rubbing them into cracks. The fissures are getting easier to see. But, compared to painting an undercoat base, the contrast is not as noticeable.

Application of two-component varnish

When using a two-component varnish, the technology for producing craquelure is more intricate. The two layers of craquelure varnish are applied, with a drying interval in between. There are two varieties of varnish used: regular or patinated and craquelure. Applying conventional varnish under craquelure restricts the depth of crack formation, keeping them from reaching the base, and when applied over craquelure, it cracks like plaster. Only craquelure varnish is used in the third version, and it is imposed in two layers.

The first coat of varnish dries in about sixty minutes. This is the time when the varnish becomes transparent. After letting it dry for four hours, or until it is completely dry, a second layer is applied.

This technique is demonstrated in the following example.

1. A decorative enamel of a gold color is applied to the prepared wall (you can also use a composition of bronze or silver colors). Before application, the enamel is mixed. Apply with a roller, from which the excess is removed by rolling on the lid of a bucket. After applying the first layer of enamel, it is dried for 30 minutes, then the second layer is applied. Dry the base.
2. Apply the first layer of varnish. The craquelure varnish composition has a rather liquid consistency, so it easily forms streaks on the surface when applied. It should be applied quickly and carefully, without leaving streaks and thickenings.
3. The second layer of varnish composition is applied after an hour, allowing the previous one to dry. It is allowed to apply the third and fourth layer. As a result, the size of the cracks increases.
4. For this technique, Moroccan or Venetian plaster is used, which lay well, burst easily and produce beautiful cracks. The plaster is applied in a 2 mm layer. Here, it is not necessary to maintain the evenness of the coating, on the contrary, the strokes are applied with the formation of low ridges along the edges. The application of strokes is multidirectional. When the plaster mass dries, initial cracks appear where the ridges are left. These cracks are larger and deeper than the cracks that appear on the even areas of the strokes. Decorative plaster with cracks must be dried, otherwise defects may occur at the next stages.
5. Dried cracked plaster is leveled with sandpaper No. 320, which almost does not scratch, but removes protrusions well. Dust is removed with a cloth or brush.
6. Iron plaster. The blade of the tool is wiped with a damp cloth. Before ironing, check the fingertips with a fingertips the quality of the smooth blade, where there should be no burrs and other defects. When ironed, a shine appears.
7. For finishing decorative plaster with a cracked effect, thick wax is used. It is applied in two layers with a break of 20-30 minutes. Each is polished. Wax tinted to look gold (or silver, respectively, to the color of the base) looks more impressive. It is applied with a spatula, completely removing the excess by tearing. Wax is dried for a day.

Mechanized application

Using a spray gun, the varnish composition can be applied to the wall’s surface. The picture of crackle that looks the most natural in this instance. For work, a spray gun with a 1.4 mm nozzle is appropriate. Water-soluble varnish is diluted (up to 10%) before being used with a spray gun.

Considerations that need to be made when spraying on the wall include:

1. At the very beginning of the work, clots of varnish mixture come out of the nozzle. Therefore, at the beginning a slightly varnish mixture is sprayed onto the probe (with a vertical, and then with a horizontal position of the nozzles).
2. Once you start spraying the wall, do not take breaks, stopping only when the entire wall is processed. Otherwise, stains and unevenness will appear.
3. To complete the work, move the sprayer away from the wall and only then turn off the spray gun.
4. When working, try to maintain the same distance from the nozzles to the wall.

A video demonstrating the automated application of craquelure plaster.

Craquelure effect on the surface of walls

Producers create compositions that resemble Venetian and textured plasters but with a craquelure effect. It is not necessary to carefully level the base of these compositions before applying them to the wall. Walls are primed to improve adhesion, seal the base’s pores, and prevent the wall from absorbing plaster moisture.

Working with these compositions moves quickly, so two people usually finish the job: one applies the material to the wall, and the other rubs the plaster mass with a spatula.

The maximum thickness of the applied layer, allowing the formation of large cracks, is 3 mm. The treatment is carried out without forming joints. After application, the plaster composition is smoothed out. A fan is installed in front of the wall to speed up drying. The air flow is directed towards the wall at an angle of 45 o . After some time, cracks begin to appear on the decorative craquelure plaster. Craquelure on the walls is formed in about an hour, after which the blowing is stopped. The finish dries for another day. After which wax or varnish is applied to it for protection and decoration. The cracks are tinted.

Feature	Description
Appearance	Creates a cracked, antique look that adds character to walls.
Application	Applied in layers, with intentional cracks forming as it dries.
Versatility	Can be used on various surfaces like drywall, wood, or concrete.
Color Options	Available in a wide range of colors to match different interior styles.
Maintenance	Requires minimal upkeep; occasional dusting or light cleaning.

A touch of history and classic elegance can be added to any interior with decorative plaster that has a craquelure effect. Every wall is a work of art that tells a unique story thanks to the intricate web of fissures that produce an eye-catching texture.

By adding craquelure plaster to your design, you can create an elegant, worn-in aesthetic that goes well with both traditional and contemporary designs. It’s an adaptable choice that can be made to match different color palettes and interior design styles, giving your house a unique feel.

With craquelure plaster, there are countless creative options available, whether your goal is to create a dramatic statement or a subdued vintage vibe. Because of its timeless appeal, your walls will continue to be an eye-catching aspect of your interior design for many years to come.

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