Golden Crackle Paste

GOLDEN Crackle Paste is a thick, opaque cracking material, designed to develop deep fissure-like cracks as it cures. The size and extent of the crackle pattern is dependent on many factors, including the thickness of application, and the environmental conditions (temperature, relative humidity and air flow) during drying.

This product utilizes defects in the film formation process, and controlled failure is problematic. This results in the cracking performance being variable and to some extent unpredictable. GOLDEN has provided the most current and comprehensive knowledge of what may be expected while using this product, but artist-conducted testing will ultimately assure more reproducible and sound applications.

Crackle Paste is a water-based product formulated with styrene-acrylic copolymer emulsions, and may have a tendency to yellow.

This product has white, low-density solids that replace traditional fillers. Its unique ratio of specific solids and binders allows for a “controlled failure” to occur and the result is its tendency to crack. It has a consistency similar to cake icing, easily manipulated by a palette knife. Peaks will maintain their height and appearance. It is a harder film than the GOLDEN Light Molding Paste, yet still retains an absorbent surface.

Films dry to an opaque, matte finish to which subsequent layers of acrylic paint and mediums can be applied. Crackle Paste can be easily tinted with GOLDEN Heavy Body, Matte, High Load and Fluid Acrylic Paints.

It is imperative to test all aspects when working with GOLDEN Crackle Paste. This is a highly variable product, and it should NOT be assumed that it will perform exactly the same each time the product is used. Review this information carefully and conduct testing before using this product on artwork or decorative finishes.

Drying times greatly depend upon film thickness. Very thin films will dry to the touch in several hours but may not develop much cracking. Increasing film thickness will increase the tendency to crack and also the size of the cracks and platelets. Cracks can take several days to fully develop.

Do not force dry Crackle Paste, nor try to slow the drying by adding Retarder or other additives, as both conditions may interfere with the products ability to crack. Product should be allowed to cure between 65 oF and 75 oF, and under 75% Relative Humidity.

Crackle Paste cleans up with soap and water. Do not let products dry on tools. Keep tools wet while in use. Soak tools in soapy water to remove dried films.

Golden believe that artists have the right to know what chemicals they are working with, and so have developed their own Health & Safety labelling system. You should follow basic precautions when using any Golden Products. Each label gives pigment identification information as well as general guidelines for safe use, and on Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) which list hazards of product components without incorporating the use assumptions of toxicological risk assessment. Golden's label advice for using chemical products safely, while conservative, emphasizes the need to err on the side of caution when using art materials. It's a lot of information to fit onto a label, Golden believe it's the best service they can offer. More information about Golden Health & Safety Labelling