Craq-Allure

[Site Man]

OLD FORUM POSTS

Posted by Larry White on September 12, 2003

Rick Glawson sold a product call "Craq-Allure" (page 25 of the Esoteric Sign Supply catalog). It states, "A two-part water based crackling system for aged effects. Using Wunda Size as the base coat, purchase the set or only the special top coat."
Does anyone have any experience using this product? If so, what's the correct application and what effects can be created? I'm imagining that it would probably need to be water gilded?
Can it be painted over and still show the effect? Or can the product be tinted?
Any info on this product is appreciated.

Thanks,
Larry White

Rick Sacks

I bought this system from Rick and found it to make a small crackle that had little depth. Rick recommended repeated applications and thicker layers, but still didn't produce the effect nearly as well as a two rattle can system I purchased at Home Depot for six bucks.

Mike Jackson

Hi Rix,
I saw the piece Rick did for Bloomington that had the craq-allure in it. The 'flakes' were about the size of a large thumbnail, and also shown in the photo Danny posted. Maybe it just takes some experimenting.....I never tried it, though I have a bottle of it here.

Maybe Danny can type up what he has written down on the technique and I can add it to the Glawson section someday.

Mike

Rick Sacks

I wanted something that would work on an exterior sign mounted ten feet up. I needed the drama to be exagerated more, like the ones Mike Languein does with latex over oil. The Craqallure seems to be good for glass pieces that you see up close.

Danny Baronian

Isn't that just like Rick. He came up with all these cool effects, we bought the materials, and put them on the shelf where they sit to this day.

What else is sitting on the shelf to try?

I'll type up the instructions for Mike to post.

Danny

Danny Baronian

Larry,

I have an instruction sheet from Rick, but it's too long to post here. If you'd like a copy let me know and I'll fax it.

Craq allure is water based and can be tinted with appropriate material. Once your desired effect is achieved a shellac barrier coat has to be applied.

It can be painted or gilded over.

Danny

Danny Busselle

Yes to all the above Larry this is a Sepp product and they have a Catlog on it or use to. There is some other effects useing Sodium Scilica Spelling ? with the Sodium you can put it directly into water paint vinyl and it will crack or you can place it over as the final finish and you will get a DIFFERENT effect.Need to Play with if a little. product available @ Marks Paint.http://www.markspaint.com/

[Danny Baronian]

Sepp Leaf Craq.Allure Instructions

This product has two parts, a base coat and top coar. Rick sold Wunda size as the base coat and Sepp Craq Allure as the top coat. The Craq Allure was sold in quarts, so anyone that purchased from Rick most likely has a lifetime supply. I was told Craq Allure was no longer available from Sepp Leaf, but have not called myself. Almost every paint and craft store carries some type of water based crackling material, it would just be a matter of trying several to get the desired effect.

Surface preparation:

1. The surface must be clean, dry and free of oil or wax.
2. The surface must be able to receive a water based material. If not, apply a barrier coat of shellac, lacquer or oil varnish.

Step One
1. Apply the base coat with a bristle brush, sponge applicator or spray equipment. The Base coat appears milky blue, as it is applied, but it cures to a clear, transparent tacky film.
2. The Base Coat can be thinned up to 30% by the addition of water, if necessary to achieve a smooth surface and avoid over brushing.
3. For larger cracks, apply a second layer of the Base Coat, before moving to Step Two.

Step Two
1. The base coat (wunda size) must be tacky but stable.
2. Apply the Top Coat with a natural hair brush or sponge applicator. Brush this material in several directions to achieve a flat, consistent film. Do not thin the Top Coat.
3. If the Top Coat beads or crawls, the Base Coat is still wet and needs to dry further. You may need to wait an additional 30 minutes.
4. For larger cracks, apply a second layer of the Top Coat, after the first application is completely dry. The second coat can be applied in about one hour.
5. The cracking action will take about one hour and may not be apparent immediately. Wait until the Top Coat is completely dry before moving to Step Three.

Step Three
1. The dry Sepp CraqAllure is shaded by applying artist grade tube oil paints or a high quality tinted wax.
2. Rub artist grade tube oil paint or tinted wax into the cracks and let dry for fifteen minutes.
3. Remove the excess paint or wax by rubbing the surface with a clean dry cotton cloth.
4. Do not use a fast drying material, such as Japan paint. The shading material needs to dry slowly providing time for removal and toning.
5. Seal the surface with a suitable non-water based sealer, after the oil paint or wax is completely dry.

It's good to see the old post's being transfered over. Just yesterday I went through the crackling process to as a test prior to finishing a glass project, it worked well. Rick noted that putting the glass in a sunny area after the Craq Allure is applied will speed the process up. I applied Craq Allure yesterday late afternoon, and didn't notice any change at 8 pm, but this morning it had a beautiful crackle finish.