Looking for a quick way to add texture and character to your wood projects? This easy crackle paint technique gives plain wood a weathered, vintage look using nothing more than paint and school glue. It’s a great way to create dimension and charm for signs, seasonal crafts, or even furniture makeovers!

Prefer to watch me rather than read about how to do this? Watch the video here!

What You’ll Need

• Wooden background or surface of your choice
• Two colors of acrylic paint (a base color and a top color)
• School glue (yes, the regular kind!)
• Paintbrushes
• Heat gun (optional, for drying faster)

Step 1: Paint the Base Color

Start by painting your wooden surface in the color you want your cracks to reveal — this will be the color underneath.
Let the paint dry completely (you can use a heat gun to speed it up).

 

Step 2: Apply the Glue

Brush on an even coat of school glue over the entire surface, working fairly quickly. You’ll want to move to the next step before the glue starts to dry.

Step 3: Add the Top Color

While the glue is still wet, brush on your top color of paint right over it. Don’t overwork it — just apply an even coat.

A thin top coat will create fine crackle lines.

A thicker coat will result in wider cracks.

As the paint dries, you’ll start to see the magic happen — beautiful, natural-looking crackles appear as the top layer separates from the glue.

Step 4: Style and Seal (Optional)

Once dry, you can leave it as-is for a matte, rustic look, or apply a clear sealer for a smoother finish. This technique works perfectly for backgrounds, picture frames, or layered DIY signs.

I used this crackled wood as the backdrop for a Dollar Tree pumpkin I transformed with one of our Blue and White Pumpkin Napkins from the Napkin Bundles Collection. The crackle texture added just the right amount of aged charm and made the finished piece stand out beautifully.

Final Thoughts

The best part about this technique? It’s forgiving, inexpensive, and fun to experiment with. Try different color combos and see what kind of unique finishes you can create — no two pieces will ever turn out exactly alike!

If you give this crackle technique a try, tag me so I can see your results — I love seeing how you put your own twist on these projects!