Decorative plaster with cracks Craquelure: application techniques

Decorative plaster that has a cracked appearance, or craquelure, is a popular option for people who want to give their walls a hint of retro charm. Because of its distinctive finish, materials appear to have aged and weathered, with subtle or noticeable cracks that resemble the aging process of natural materials. It’s a great way to add character to older buildings or give new walls a rustic, antique feel.

Although applying Craquelure plaster takes some skill, even a do-it-yourself enthusiast can produce amazing results with the right methods. Knowing the steps involved is essential to success, regardless of whether you’re going for a more dramatic, textured finish or a more understated look. To produce the desired crack patterns, layers of various materials are combined with specialized tools.

This post will discuss applying Craquelure decorative plaster in a variety of ways, from choosing the best supplies to getting the hang of it. Using these tricks, you can add depth and interest to your interior design while transforming any area with the classic beauty of cracked plaster.

Technique	Description
Surface Preparation	Clean the wall, apply a base coat, and let it dry completely.
Base Layer Application	Apply a base color layer using a roller or brush, ensuring even coverage.
Craquelure Medium	Apply the craquelure medium over the base layer, following the manufacturer’s instructions.
Top Layer Application	Once the medium is dry, apply the top coat. Cracks will appear as it dries.
Sealing	After the top layer is fully dry, seal the surface with a protective varnish.

Features of the material

With the use of specialized wall covering technology, you can use cracks to create an unusual pattern that gives the space an antique feel. This is accomplished by applying a unique plaster composition and varnish to the surface, which dry over time.

DIY You should exercise patience as decorative craquelure plaster is quite challenging to complete. You’ll need the following supplies to complete this:

• Primer.
• Acrylic paint.
• Craquelure varnish (one-component or two-component).
• Grout to contrast cracks.
• Plaster.
• Varnish.

Although there are other uses for it, interiors with a classic or rustic design are more likely to have this type of coating.

Tools for work

Wall decoration can be done in a variety of ways, and the tools required will vary accordingly. Either way, you should restock on the following set:

• spatula;
• roller;
• paint brushes;
• foam rubber;
• sandpaper;
• fan;
• spray gun;
• clean cloth.

In the process, foam rubber is used to create tiny depressions. With a soft brush, you can get deeper cracks.

Craquelure, or decorative plaster with cracks, is an artistic and distinctive finish that gives character to any area. To achieve the desired cracked effect, the application techniques involve precise layering, regulated drying times, and specialized tools. This technique turns the walls from a background into the main feature of the design, which is ideal for people who want to create an antique or vintage aesthetic in their interior spaces. Whether you’re an expert or a do-it-yourselfer, learning Craquelure can turn plain walls into breathtaking pieces of art.

Surface preparation

Putty has to be used to level the walls before repairs can begin. It is best to remove any old paint that may have been applied to them. Plaster eliminates any imperfections and fissures. After dusting and cleaning the surface, putty is applied.

Applying a coat of primer to the walls is essential for the last phase of preparation.

Application technique

When using this technique, there are a few requirements that must be met.

The work area should be at room temperature, between 18 and 25 degrees, and the room should be dependable protected from drafts and high humidity (more than 70%).

The application technique also calls for a strict order in which certain steps must be followed.

Base

Putty is used on the wall in the initial stages of the job. You can add a color to the composition so that it shows up in the cracks.

Sandpaper is used to clean the putty layer after it has dried.

Applying a coat of paint beneath the base is an additional choice. Additionally, it is chosen with the intended color of the voids in mind. This is accomplished by using acrylic paint, which is applied evenly using a roller and left to dry for up to six hours.

A layer of one-component varnish

The surface has to be varnished next. Use a specific craquelure varnish to achieve this; it is a mixture that, when dried, has the power to split the paint layer. One-component and two-component varnishes are the two varieties available.

• A one-component varnish is made on a water basis and is applied when creating the one-step craquelure technique. In this case, it cracks the paint layer, which will be visible through the cracks formed.
• Two-component craquelure varnish consists of two components: shellac and gum arabic. It is used for the two-step craquelure technique – when the composition is applied in two layers.

Consider using a one-component varnish to achieve large cracks. To create a network of tiny fissures, employ a two-component mixture.

Regardless of technique, the prepared wall must have craquelure varnish applied evenly to prevent clots from forming. You can move on to the next step once the surface has dried, which could take four hours or a day.

Finish coating

In order to create the craquelure effect itself—that is, cracks—decorated plaster is applied over craquelure varnish. After ten minutes, the plaster layer begins to fracture, and after six hours, the process is through.

The maximum amount of time that should pass between applying varnish and finishing is seven days. This is because longer breaks weaken the varnish’s properties and prevent the use of craquelure technology.

Use Venetian, Moroccan, or relief composition for the finishing coat. Numerous factors influence the pattern:

• The direction of the depressions is formed depending on which way the tool is directed.
• The size of the cracking depends on the layer of plaster – the thinner it is, the smaller the depressions.

Up to 2-3 mm of this layer is applied, and it is then leveled. As the coating won’t dry until after two days, you should wait until the following step this time.

Protective varnish and wax

A protective layer of wax or varnish is applied to the craquelure coating to ensure its longevity and aesthetic appeal. After using an abrasive to smooth over the surface, they are applied with a sponge or brush. Using a dry cloth, remove the dust layer, and then wipe with a damp cloth.

Video of creating cracks using a one-component craquelure varnish:

Other options for creating cracks

A craquelure coating can be made using a variety of methods. The pattern will vary based on the method selected.

Application of a two-component varnish

Because there is an extra step of work involved, this technique is more complicated and will take longer to complete. Simple varnish and craquelure are used for this. The following summarizes the method’s main ideas:

• Pre-prepared surface is covered with a layer of decorative enamel. Dry, and repeat the process.
• Coat with craquelure varnish, avoiding smudges. Let it dry for at least 60 minutes.
• Apply the next layer. In total, you can coat several times, as a result of which the cracks will become deeper. It is not recommended to apply more than four layers.
• Cover with a layer of plaster and let dry. Level with sandpaper.

Lastly, apply wax twice, interspersed with 30-minute pauses. Give it a full day to dry.

Mechanized application

You can use a spray gun to automate the task. When using this method, the varnish and water should be diluted 9:1 respectively. It is important to consider the following details:

• In order to avoid the formation of clots, the varnish mixture is sprayed onto the probe. Once a uniform distribution has been achieved, you can begin processing the walls.
• Do not interrupt during the application process – this can lead to staining and uneven coverage.
• Upon completion, the spray gun must be moved to the side, and only then turned off.

To ensure uniform distribution of the mixture, the nozzles and wall must remain at the same distance from one another throughout operation.

Craquelure effect on wall surfaces

Additionally, craquelure-effect textured plasters are available on the market. This technology demands quick thinking and dexterity due to its complexity. Thus, doing the coating jointly is more practical. To accomplish this, take these steps:

• Carefully level and prime the surface.
• Apply the plaster composition and level it with sandpaper.
• For faster drying of the layer, use a hair dryer or fan so that the air enters at an angle of 45 degrees. If you do not use a hair dryer, the surface will dry slowly, and the desired craquelure effect will not be obtained. It largely depends on the air temperature at which the drying process occurs.
• Wait until the craquelure is formed. This takes approximately 1 hour.
• After the formation of cracks, blowing is completed.

It is advised to apply a protective varnish or wax no sooner than 24 hours after the coating has had time to fully dry.

Cracks are tinted, covered with colored wax or varnish, for extra decoration. A dry sponge is used to gently remove any excess after it has been thoroughly rubbed into all the nooks and crannies.

Video application of decorative Venetian plaster with a craquelure effect

Care of the coating

The craquelure coating’s peculiarity is its susceptibility to damage. Wash it with a moist cloth no more than once every seven days. Using hard brushes and aggressive chemicals is not advised.

Adhering to the coating application technology makes decorative plastering of the craquelure surface relatively easy. You can accomplish it by hand, which will give the space a distinctive appearance and feel. Furniture can also be coated using the craquelure technique to make it harmoniously match the interior.

The distinctive look of crinkle decorative plaster gives any area personality and depth. This technique adds an elegant and intriguing aged vintage look by purposefully creating cracks on the surface.

With the correct tools and techniques, the application process can be mastered even though it requires care and precision. Every stage, from surface preparation to the last finishing touches, is essential to getting the intended result.

Craquelure plaster gives you creative freedom to achieve a more pronounced cracked pattern or a more subdued appearance. Through trial and error with various application techniques, you can customize the outcome to fit your intended design.

By adding a timeless appeal that can go with a range of interior styles, this decorative technique is a great way to turn plain walls into focal points.

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