Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint

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Reported by Julia Stainton

Texture is an element that I always love incorporating in my design projects. A friend of mine first introduced me to Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint. I've tried paint cracking techniques before and have always loved the look but I must admit...the time it took really made it a rare event for me to try. When I found out this new Crackle Paint was a one-step product, I just had to give it a whirl.

The Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint is a fabulous paint product that is so easy to use. Sold in plastic jars, this unique paint comes in 24 beautiful colors. Simple to use, just brush this paint onto your desired surface. As the paint dries it cracks on its own. Ever hear of the expression "as exciting as watching paint dry"? Well...this is actually quite interesting to watch! As this paint dries, it magically cracks.

This product is sold in 1.1 fluid ounce jars and is easy to store. When I opened my first jar of Time Holtz Distress Crackle Paint, I quickly noticed two things....rich, beautiful, paint color and a built-in brush. The brush makes it so simple to use. No washing up. No brush to ruin if you get side-tracked with finishing your project. Just brush on the paint and then cap the jar. Voila...you're done. This paint is a really thick paint that is easy to apply. You never have to worry about brush strokes as this paint smoothes itself out and is self-leveling. In fact, you really want a very thick coat. The thicker the paint is applied, the more cracking effect will be achieved. Choose the look you want! Distress Crackle Paint is best left to dry on its own but can be hurried up a little by using a heat gun from a distance on it. Be careful though...you want to dry the paint...not blister it.


This paint is really fabulous to use on projects in a wide variety of styles making it very flexible. Depending on other products you use this paint with, it works really well with grunge, vintage, shabby, romantic, primitive and artistic styles. I just love the texture it adds to projects giving them added interest.

Once you are done painting and drying your surface, you have a beautiful finish on its own. You can however, still alter it further. I love to ink the edges or portions of my crackled paint using the Tim Holtz Distress Inks. This line of 24 inks coordinate and work perfectly with the paint to highlight the cracking and add a great custom look. I also love using these inks and others, to stamp designs on top of the dried paint. Small adhesive embellishments adhered to the painted surface is also a fun way to personalize your project.


Things to paint with Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint…

• Wood – brush it over wood altered projects for a great crackled surface finish
• Grungeboard
• Chipboard
• Cardstock
• Paper mache
• Layer over other layers of acrylic paint
• Primed canvas

When using your Distress Crackle Paint, here are a few things I found to keep in mind. This paint should be stored upright and tightly sealed to prevent drying out or leaking. Before starting to paint, it is advisable to shake your paint jar well. I've found very minimal separating of paint with this product but it never hurts to be sure. Now and then you may find your paint a little thicker than you want it to be. Remember...this paint is supposed to be thick but if it is getting unmanageable, add a tiny amount of water and shake well. Distress Crackle Paint works best on surfaces that have something for the paint to grab onto such as paper, wood, chipboard, etc. You can use it on slicker surfaces if you prime it well first. I personally tried priming a plastic frame but found the paint flaked off too much to be successful.

Pros

• I love the one step process and quick drying time. There is nothing quite as fun as watching paint dry... ;) so I love the fact that this doesn't hold up my project for very long
• I just love the brush in the lid feature. I never lose it. It never needs washed. I can just cap the lid and get on with other things.
• This product comes in 24 beautiful shades. I love it so much that I've purchased almost all of them. The colors also coordinate with the Tim Holtz Distress Inks and Embossing Powders. I love how this can tie my project together.

Cons

• The product will flake off smooth plastic and metal surfaces. To solve this problem, prime your surface well with an appropriate primer before starting
• I'd love to see a white crackle paint and even more colors...you can never have too much of a good thing!
• This paint does take a while to dry, depending on the thickness of your application

The Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint retails for approximate $4.50 US. When you consider the brush attachment as well as the ease of use and quality of the product, I think this is a very reasonable price. If using this paint on chipboard or other small areas, you will get many, many projects from one bottle. If covering a frame or large altered item, you should get at least two or three projects from it.

On-line Sources:

• Cornish Heritage Farms
• Scrapbooks.com
• Frantic Stamper

The Tim Holtz Distress Crackle Paint is an affordable, easy to use and flexible product that I turn to again and again. I've already invested in thirteen of the different colors and plan to acquire more in the future. I would rate this product as a ten out of ten. You're going to groan when I say this but yes.... I think this paint IS all it's cracked up to be! Have you tried it? What are your thoughts on this product? I'd love to hear from you.