Help with crackle paste

[cmerwin]

Hi all,


I'm looking for some help with using crackle paint for basing. I'm trying to go for a dried river bed effect, but the cracks I keep getting are huge, rather than a uniform many cracks.


The technique I have been doing is: prime, paint the base with a single coat of brown, apply a layer of PVA glue (white Elmer's glue), dry overnight, apply a medium layer (1.5mm - 2mm) of Golden Crackle Paste which has been mixed with brown and black GW paint, dry overnight.


You can see the results in the images I've attached. I'd love any tips or tricks on how to get smaller, denser, more uniform cracks.


Thanks!

[CranstonSnord]

The putty shrinks as it dries, creating the cracks. The thicker the layer, the bigger the cracks, so try thinner layers.

[cmerwin]

The putty shrinks as it dries, creating the cracks. The thicker the layer, the bigger the cracks, so try thinner layers.

Thanks! I'll give it a shot. Any recommendations for thickness? The paste itself is pretty fluffy.

[worktroll]

It's also dependant on the brand. I've used AK dark dry mud paste, and the small crackles I get aren't particularly satisfying.

Edit: the AK stuff is wet and gloopy, like pourable custard. Not fluffy at all!

I haven't tried the Citadel "technical" stuff yet. The problem, I think, is that most of these are designed for use with 1:100 or 1:72 scale WW2/3 minis; this allows a thicker paste, and gives results that look not right with 1:200/1:285 stuff.

[cmerwin]

It's also dependant on the brand. I've used AK dark dry mud paste, and the small crackles I get aren't particularly satisfying.

Edit: the AK stuff is wet and gloopy, like pourable custard. Not fluffy at all!

I haven't tried the Citadel "technical" stuff yet. The problem, I think, is that most of these are designed for use with 1:100 or 1:72 scale WW2/3 minis; this allows a thicker paste, and gives results that look not right with 1:200/1:285 stuff.

I've tried the Citadel Martian Red (or whatever its called) and its great, just pricey. The Golden Crackle is really fluffy though. Much cheaper, but doesn't have the same microcrack effect. I'll try thinning it out.