Awesome Crackle Effect with Spray Cans (tutorial)

[@BradAngove]

Looking for the Montana crackle paint? You can find it through this link: www.amazon.com/shop/bradangove

[@wadetomczyk8043]

Brad Angove I’m assuming you can use this over House of Color paints not just spray cans?

[@BradAngove]

It's designed to work over acrylics. Automotive acrylics should fall in that category, but I think House of Kolor is urethane mostly.

[@wervingssyrups3024]

Hey Brad. I really struggle getting my edges sanded nicely without taking off too much paint on the primer coat. Any chance you can do a video.

[@BradAngove]

You mean before moving on to your color coats?

[@wervingssyrups3024]

@@BradAngove thats right. Im being as gentle as possible and using all types of grit paper. But always get some wood poking through. There is a high chance i just suck

[@jjr4acre637]

not an expert at refinishing but i’ve worked a lot with crackle paints, i find that the thicker your crackle coat the larger the black segments so if you want fine cracker then a thick layer is your go to !!

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

This was totally worth the wait!

[@BradAngove]

Haha thanks James. I “hurried”.

[@jamesthe-doctor8981]

Brad Angove hahaa thanks man!!

[@jggarzao]

This looks like new bc rich warlock stranger things edition, nice job btw

[@BradAngove]

Thank you

[@corgiboomer3924]

I have been pouring over your videos for ideas. You have a lot and thanks again for inspiring me to be outside my box. Thanks again!!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks for watching

[@hoosierdaddy2308]

Yet another great video man. Always good stuff Brad. I would like to see how to do a mirror finish using paint or a holoflash finish using spray cans. Something you could use that spray max 2k clear coat rattle cans with. I was shocked how good that came out in your video. Thanks man. Really appreciate it.

[@jochem420]

I actually got this effect accidentally making my raggaecaster, but it looked awesome so i kept it

[@kiltymacbagpipe]

I was t one of the people clamouring for this video, but I liked watching it. Stay safe.

[@BradAngove]

Fair enough. Thanks Bruce.

[@michaelhaydenbell]

Well then that enjoyment makes sense then huh.

[@dennisrocker]

Thank you for having the patients to demonstrate how you reached such a beautiful accomplishment. Love it.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Dennis

[@IllusionSector]

@@BradAngove The crack styling on this axe has nice grit to it. I'm almost inclined to call it a 'gritar'.

[@robertmodlin2599]

Like I said before, I love the effect that you were able to come up with, very unique. Thanks for showing it.

[@BradAngove]

I’m glad you like it.

[@Dave6SS]

Turned out Great..Makes me want to do another Crackle finish on my search and Rescue Guitar.

[@maxnarongchai]

I really like that finish actually! Came out more subtle than with spray guns which is pretty unique

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Max.

[@jacowink8941]

That crackle body looks bloody cool.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks

[@hagibhrobertson2657]

I enjoyed your video and liked how descriptive you are, I see a lot of guys making how to videos that lead people totally wrong. I will say you killed me though how you balled up a rag to clean the sanding dust off after scuffing your primer. Just a helpful tip for others, blow the main dust off with air pressure if you can to get most off, then use your rag ( neatly folded lol) so you can flip your rag as you go making sure by the end, your surface is totally dust free. Also a money saving tip, isopropyl alcohol works extremely well for cleaning your surface and saves me a ton over the products like naphtha and other prep solvents.

[@mctweddle]

I did this with a lumo pink and orange background coated with metallic sparkle clear with a white crackle over the top on a very badly beaten up bass. Looks amazing and my girls had a blast spraying the neon colours randomly over the body. Pickguard was painted by my younger daughter who got left with the guard and a box full of old nail polish. The crackle is fairly fragile (I used cheap stuff) and when I sprayed a clear coat to seal and protect it it ended up crackling even more.

[@BradAngove]

Sometimes that happens. If you let it dry for a couple weeks the additional cracking might not have occurred. Sounds like a fun project that went well!

[@mctweddle]

@@BradAngove my girls had a blast and that was the plan from the beginning. Paint cost more than the guitar though 🤫

[@BradAngove]

Well I’m glad they had a good time haha.

[@DragonofLimerick]

May not be my personal cup of tea, but can't deny that it is really cool!

[@BradAngove]

That’s as good a compliment as any haha.

[@dphachey]

Brad that finish is beyond cool!!!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks David!

[@HOTA_CHATON]

Nice, very nice.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Joe. Glad you like it.

[@rabrown22000]

Oooh, I need to try that with a British Racing Green type color.

[@BradAngove]

Intriguing

[@SeanDiegoOfficial]

Amazing tutorial. Been wanting to do a crackle finish myself and fortunately, your video popped right up on my feed. Definitely have a subscriber now!

[@BradAngove]

Excellent; welcome aboard.

[@kevinorr328]

I came here to look for alternatives to Montana color base spray. I get the crackle, but the other paint is $$. Glad to have found you. I am making a watch for my family, so small high-end items.

[@BradAngove]

Sounds like a fun project

[@composing-chaos]

The crackled look that’s smooth like that is more “alligatored”

[@BradAngove]

Indeed

[@mr67maro]

Looks like a dash I was painting once, not the effect I was going for. But it looks good on the guitar.

[@tacsnackairsoft2024]

This is incredibly helpful, I have all I need now to build a blue crackle telecaster

[@BradAngove]

I hope it goes well for you

[@robertscott3399]

I use the water based crackle turns out good and i use automotive clear with krylon base coats.

[@stanleonard86]

This looks good, but I'd love to see how this is done with a gun. The old school 80s crackle was the best!

[@BradAngove]

Yeah those are cool. There are a couple ways to do them too, but I don’t have the right chemicals.

[@finaljesus]

This is my first time watching your channel I really like the way that came out great job especially with spray paint cans very nice professional job

[@BradAngove]

Thanks. I’m glad you like it.

[@steamtraintom]

Thanks for this, perfect example of how to do this myself and HELLA satisfying to watch! :p

[@BradAngove]

Glad I could help

[@stevesoldwedel]

You could always go for a buzz cut. 😉 Nice work; I enjoyed the video, as usual.

[@BradAngove]

My head has been through too many rugby games. I end up with little missing spots where I have scars that don’t grow hair haha.

[@stevesoldwedel]

@@BradAngove I've got some scars from street hockey and BMX-ing, but I don't have the option of growing hair to cover them up! 😂

[@BradAngove]

Hopefully they loo cool on you then haha.

[@andylovescake.]

New subscriber. Thanks for doing this tutorial & giving lots of tips. End finish looks AMAZING!!

[@BradAngove]

Thank you!

[@davidkleinman4920]

If I were to let the colors dry completely and then put down a layer of black and the crackle paint would it end up looking like crisp black lines with color showing through?

[@drstrangelove4925]

I’m planning to make my own custom jazzmaster/jaguar style guitar and paint it to look similar to the 10th doctors sonic screwdriver

[@notpurple]

Love your work. Thanks for the helpful videos

[@BradAngove]

Thank you

[@KevinfromNewfoundland]

Thx brother

[@canterburyaudio5836]

That came out really good!

[@jedimindfrak82]

Great video, thank you!

[@ronnymuir]

I literally just finished a crackle effect paint job on a Flying V. The crackle paint went on really well but the Montana Gold Red/Orange base colour was a really gritty/sandy finish, I just couldn’t get a good coverage. As such, when the crackle paint ‘crackled’ the orange/red colour disappeared on some parts and it was while instead! I really like the 2 tone end result and the crackling is brilliant but the Montana Gold paint Red/Orange was horrendous to use!

[@BradAngove]

Sounds like it really wasn’t spraying heavy enough.

[@ronnymuir]

Brad Angove There are online reviews of people saying they had to hold the can about 2-3” away to get it to work better. Live and learn. Turned out good though.

[@andretopy]

thanks! great videos -never disappointed

[@crispysyd9190]

Such a cool process. Thank you for sharing.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks for watching.

[@MrKevincryan]

Awesome Brad, just awesome

[@BradAngove]

Thank you. Glad you like it.

[@henrygibson1530]

That's something! It's cool looking. 😷🤟

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Henry

[@robertscott3399]

I use craft crackle medium. Have had good results except in cold and humid conditions. Wish i could post pics

[@shortturbo]

hi Brad big fan here ,, what rattle can primer and black gloss should i be using on a new alder body ,, that i want to clear with 2k thank you for all your videos

[@BradAngove]

Any acrylic based system should work fine with the 2k

[@AndyMartin401]

Brilliant Brad

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Andy

[@decomputerleraarable]

This really is awesome! Rob

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Rob!

[@andrewbarker9773]

that looks awesome man.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks man

[@divebombinc.finchcustomgui1425]

Do you clear to make it smooth or just to finish it up and protect it?

[@BradAngove]

I avoided smoothing this one out. I like the snakeskin effect it has.

[@electroKrunch]

Thanks Brad!! Great vid, I shared on FB & T so I hope it brings more subs to you bud!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks man!

[@JC-11111]

Nice spray booth, Brad! 😎

[@BradAngove]

Thanks JC

[@micahwatz1148]

I had small crackles on my first one. I really think the trick is to do the color, let that completely dry. Then throw a few thick coats of clear on, let that tack off for 5-10 mins then hit it with the crackle. That way it really has something to split apart with.

[@BradAngove]

Interesting

[@micahwatz1148]

@@BradAngove just realize i typed that like a moron. Just Edited it.

[@1HYB]

Have you tried this? I'm planning on doing this to an Ibanez RG and I want to try and get the thick crackle. What clear coat do you use?

[@micahwatz1148]

@@1HYB i have a video on my channel all about it

[@micahwatz1148]

@@1HYB I actually have a better method on that video to

[@ArturBrzozowski444]

Perfect video for getting back to being alive after too long nap. 😅 Thank you for this one. Now I know why my guitar was getting chipped of so easily

[@BradAngove]

Welcome back to the land of the living.

[@steveroberts]

Great stuff as usual Brad.

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Steve.

[@PFDarkside]

Awesome as always Brad. What model is this body and where is it from?

[@BradAngove]

That’s an EX style body from solo guitars.

[@SkyscraperGuitars]

Cool finish Brad!

[@BradAngove]

Thank you!

[@llaevigrof]

I am from way outside this genra...looking for Crackle paint videos... how cool was this!? ... who thumbs down this? I'm dumbfounded by that. This was fun! Never knew how they painted all those awesome guitars. It was very cool... I love crackle though!

[@BradAngove]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@llaevigrof]

@@BradAngove I enjoy such amazing creativity! Thank you!

[@brianvannorman1465]

Yay rust oleum Yaaaay!

[@robertscott3399]

i used once i dont like it either. one issue is that its supposed to be modified nitro lacquer . if its lacquer then mineral spirits should not take it off.it does. and i dont like the way it crackles to small. for my taste i like 80s crackle i use a different crackle and alot cheaper and goes a long way, too. ive done about 5 or 6 guitars with my version of crackle . i wish i could post pictures here but cant or i would show you.and i think you would like the way they turned out.

[@666walshinator]

Man!!I just sprayed my guitar with black marble paint, thinking it was crackle with a different name.It is not the same thing.Gotta sand it all back and redo.Guess I should have done what you always say and do a test piece!!Can't find crackle paint anywhere

[@BradAngove]

Damn. How did the marble paint look?

[@666walshinator]

@@BradAngove Looked terrible.looked like I sprayed silly string all over it.I tried to flat sand it to see if i'd like the result but no!I hated it.Might be something for a pro like yourself to look into.

[@BradAngove]

Yikes. Good to know.

[@valvenator]

Hey, how did I miss this one? The finish looks really cool, kinda reminds me of an alligator skin leather wallet I had many eons ago!

[@BradAngove]

It does have an interesting texture haha.

[@Headly892]

Would you be able to do this on a guitar that's already fully assembled? Or could you only do it on an unfinished guitar

[@BradAngove]

You can do it on a finished guitar if you sand and clean the original finish. I expect you would want to disassemble it though.

[@janolesen8938]

How about a 2k acrylic clear coat on crackle ? Can I build it up like the poly ? Is it durable ? I am new in this and only on my second guitar. Living in Europe, I have to find alternative products. Did find the Montana brand....😊 Love your stuff, keep it up. 🎸🎸🎸🎸🎸

[@BradAngove]

The Montana brand is from Europe. I’m pretty sure they’re based in Germany. There should be some 2k acrylic based clears that are suitable and durable enough to compete with the poly.

[@janolesen8938]

Brad Angove Thanks, I think I found one 😊 but off cause I can always sand again 😂😂

[@jeremypgiles]

That looks awesome. Great job

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Jeremy

[@EdwinK-13]

Fantastic

[@BradAngove]

Thank you

[@hyramjackson]

Boy, I was soo looking forwrd for this!

[@BradAngove]

Hopefully it didn’t disappoint.

[@dildicus8625]

Just got a 7 string kit I want to do a crackle finish on, I had no idea it was this easy haha. I always thought there was some weird way to do it like swirl finishes.

[@BradAngove]

It can be fairly simple with the right paints.

[@dildicus8625]

@@BradAngove I have a friend who builds guitars helping me with everything; when he told me how easy it was to do a crackle finish, I had to search for a video haha.

[@MurderHoboRPG]

Montana is brilliant! I want the entire gold line!

[@BradAngove]

That would be awesome!

[@nickvarela5583]

I want to try this effect on a surfboard. Any tips for fiberglass? think there will be any issues? I usually use rustoleum spray-paint and finish with acrylic clear coat.

[@BradAngove]

Once the first layer of primer is on there the substrate doesn’t really matter anymore.

[@airbrushingbynick6071]

Nailed it ! .... Brad Nails it. 🤣

[@BradAngove]

Haha thanks Nick.

[@nicholaskrupa6259]

Haha I was cutting peoples hair during Covid! Hey I loved the video and that reddish burnt orange look is actually the colors I’m looking to do my van in mad Max, the die rolla car looks EXACTLY like that

[@BradAngove]

Nice. I hope your paint job goes well.

[@johnloffredo]

Bro I love your vids! I was looking for some ways to paint my guitar body because I’m doing a full built on a squire and I came across your channel. So dope! Subscribed

[@BradAngove]

Thanks man. Glad you like the content.

[@1HYB]

What is a good non Montana paint I can use as the bottom layer? I want to have a yellow (Porsche speed racer yellow) as my bottom layer and then have black crackle over top. I see Montana does not recommend any paints that come in yellow on their website.

[@BradAngove]

I just used the rustoleum painters touch. It worked fine.

[@charlesharper7292]

Pretty cool! If I go with a base of gloss black, over that the chameleon trick, and the glitter galaxy buried under six coats of clear, and then,...top it off with crackle, My guitar will weigh thirty pounds, and eight inches thick! 🤪

[@BradAngove]

I used to think up stuff like that all the time haha. I find that one cool effect gets lots within another though if you overdo it.

[@micahwatz1148]

Gotta try 4 coats, like super thick and wet base coat. Then dont wait an hour, only wait like 5 mins. Works the best with engine enamel paint to from my expeeriments

[@BradAngove]

How’s the longevity/durability on that? Seems like that much paint would create drying issues and might stay soft, but if it works it works.

[@micahwatz1148]

@@BradAngove just have to wait until that stuff drys before you clear coat.

[@micahwatz1148]

@@BradAngove like 3 thick color coats, few mins apart, then a few mins after that, 4 crackle coats all at the same time until it's completely black. Gotta get a shell thing going on with the crackle.

[@BradAngove]

Nice. Glad to hear you didn’t have any issues with the first coats not hardening properly.

[@micahwatz1148]

@@BradAngove yeah its just such a cool style. Thanks tho man, been watching you forever. Ive learned a lot watching your videos over the years

[@michaeldouglas2634]

I have done several guitars with same paint and the results vary greatly. Still a very cool effect. Would like to know how the pros do it. Thanks for sharing.

[@BradAngove]

the pros do it a few different ways. Some use the more pro grade crackle paints and some mix their own clears etc. specifically to crackle. I don’t actually know how to do the latter of those properly.

[@briansimpson8116]

That looks GREAT! You should do one in greens or browns. They would look like a Crocodile or Lizard.😃

[@BradAngove]

Crackle snakeskin?

[@briansimpson8116]

@@BradAngove YES!

[@tomseadon9965]

Good job!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks Tom

[@scottjones225]

Do you use a gloss, flat, or Matt spray paint as base

[@BradAngove]

Usually gloss, but I sand it lightly before painting over it.

[@kevinorr328]

Wow, first time watching spraying. great job, great info. I will subscribe. Looking to crackle with a color on top of a black crackle...hmm, we'll see.

[@kevinorr328]

I had heard that Rustolium LAQUER is the only one that can be used under Montana Crackle?

[@BradAngove]

I used their painters touch paint, which is an acrylic or acrylic enamel.

[@billygee1936]

Brad, in regards to the clearcoat, what is the correct timing to spray the clearcoat over the crackle (how long do I wait until I put the clearcoat over the crackle finish)? I'm going to be using a Spraymax 2k high gloss spray can. Thank you in advance for giving my message any of your time and consideration 🙂

[@BradAngove]

I would give it a week or two because they are different paint types. That’s not based on any specific chemical info though; just my experience.

[@billygee1936]

​@BradAngove And that is exactly why I went straight to you... because of your experience 🙂 Thank you so much for creating this channel to empower artists like myself to go beyond my comfort zone 🙏🏻 Blessings from Australia 🦘

[@BradAngove]

I hope you project goes well!

[@usbcordand]

The only purple I could find that I liked is a paint for metals. It's duplicolor metalcast, will the crackle not work with it? Should I not even use that paint for the guitar?

[@BradAngove]

I’ve never tried it with crackle, but it can work on a guitar. I think that may be transparent though.

[@usbcordand]

@@BradAngove do you still sand this after the crackle? And any clear coat that you recommend besides spray max? These videos have been so helpful, thank you.

[@BradAngove]

I try to gently scuff after the crackle ideally. Montana has a spray varnish that I hear is quite good.

[@levidavidson4817]

Great video Brad. I have one question, could you use the Montana crackle on duplicolor?

[@BradAngove]

I’m not entirely sure since I haven’t tried it, but I think it would work over the duplicolor perfect match products.

[@brennan9649]

Hey did you already try out the Montana crackle on the duplicolor? I was gonna do the same thing I was wondering how it turned out for u

[@levidavidson4817]

No not yet, sorry

[@austinsherrer]

Would this crackle effect work well with a color shift?

[@BradAngove]

It should work on the appropriate type of colour shift paint.

[@austinsherrer]

@@BradAngove thanks Brad!

[@dominator6769]

Actually i dont have interest in crackle effect........but came to watch cause you taught me to spray paint properly .....keep it up man 👌

[@BradAngove]

Glad I could be of some use haha. Thanks for watching.

[@bakstabbath]

Turned out great. I'm wondering if a 2nd thick coat of red and orange would have enhanced the crackle any. I'm gonna have to try this out.

[@BradAngove]

It would have make it bigger cracks.

[@b.cguitarcovers2347]

Awsome man, looks wicked!!

[@BradAngove]

Thanks man.

[@spookypoopy6036]

What do you use for the clear coat on top of the crackle

[@BradAngove]

I used an automotive 2K clear coat.

[@spookypoopy6036]

@@BradAngove thanks

[@katemcguire2504]

Your work is beautiful! Thanks for the vid. I'm looking for something clear to apply over my base colour so the top spray colour will crack. That way I would have the full range of colors to choose from rather than be limited to the colours available in crackle. Are there DIY solutions? Thanks again.

[@BradAngove]

There are ways to mix paint so it will do that, but I don’t actually know how to do it and I’ve never bought the additives. I’ve also heard of some options involving putting down a layer of glue to create the shrinking effect, but I’ve never gotten it to work for me the way I want.

[@ShredTrino]

i wet sanded my red guitar did fresh red waited like 10 min rushed it. then did thick black crackle all over the guitar body but the crackles came out small in the middle and larger on the edges anything i can do to save this? for more of a consistent look? like can i save certain areas by spraying more red letting dry then doing more black crackle in that area? only ,.... it had a way better reaction on the headstock and happed in minutes the bodys reaction however came out not so good. and a bit blotchy almost from the bit of orange i sprayed on the edges its now 2 am here should i wait till tomorrow and just spray those blotchy spots wait 30 or 45 then do black over them so they can re crackle larger? is it possible to over-layer this stuff? some areas are almost just black crackle no red showing to odd...not alot of info on line about this stuff...

[@BradAngove]

Touch ups are likely to look pretty odd. Not uniform. I would sand it back and try again with proper timing.

[@jeffreyeagen4896]

Awesome!

[@BradAngove]

Thank you!

[@circlecreeper]

hey brad what kind of primer and color cans are you using are they lacquer?

[@BradAngove]

they’re acrylic

[@circlecreeper]

@@BradAngove thanks man

[@clovistheterrible6304]

Does the Montana Crackle can work on metal for crackle effect

[@BradAngove]

That’s what it’s intended for, yes.

[@clovistheterrible6304]

@@BradAngove thank you sir 👍

[@clovistheterrible6304]

What is the wait time upon putting on metal 45minutes just like wood?

[@BradAngove]

@clovistheterrible6304 I would think so. There should be no difference unless your metal is at a weird temperature.

[@clovistheterrible6304]

@@BradAngove thanks again tryed it with heat gun and it out amazing 🤩

[@kevinalmeida3862]

Im looking for the spray gun kind. Whats the name brand for spray guns

[@BradAngove]

There are several that make them. Paint huffer has a good one I think.

[@chrisconcannon2026]

Hey Brad, thanks for the great tutorial. My daughter asked me to build the Warlock from Stranger Things... who am I to say no? Long story short, it looks great, but I didn't have time to clear coat within 24 hours and it's been sitting for 4 days. I'm using Shop-Line JC661 for the clear coat and am wondering if I scuff sand the body, will it kill the paint job? Thanks for any insight you can provide.

[@BradAngove]

If you’re gentle about it I don’t think it will be a problem. I did it on mine a week or two after the paint job.

[@chrisconcannon2026]

@@BradAngove Thanks. That did the trick. I have the first 3 layers on and it's looking nice. I appreciate you getting back to me.

[@BradAngove]

Happy I could help

[@geoffh8077]

Very cool Brad. So you don’t need grain filler, just primer on bare wood?

[@BradAngove]

It depends on the type of wood and how open the grain is.

[@WolfPits]

a weird question I used mtn paint on Montana gold paint and I'm so worried the Montana matte clear is going to eat the mtn 94 paint do you know if there is something else I should use?

[@BradAngove]

What makes you think it’s going to eat it?

[@WolfPits]

@@BradAngove I believe it's synthetic resin paint? I found a matte clear from Golden Acrylics I just sprayed that seems to be working. Thak you for getting back to me so fast

[@Nick-ny1fk]

How long should I wait til I apply my clear coat to the crackle?

[@BradAngove]

I’d give it a week or two to reduce the risk of a reaction.

[@dominicluzzi]

brad i have a red guitar that i painted i wanna do this to i sand the clear coat spray red paint then put black crackle will this work? on it do i have to put orange in the middle?

[@BradAngove]

You can do it over whatever color you want. That should work fine.

[@ShredTrino]

@@BradAngove hey brad is it ok to layer this stuff up to fix certain flaws and small crackles? i've done it here and there and have it sitting in the sun with another LAYER of Orange were i did'nt like the crackles i'm gonna spray it again with crackle around 2

[@BradAngove]

I don’t think adding another coat of crackle at this point will cause it to look more crackled if that’s what you’re going for.

[@BradAngove]

I think you’ve posted this question a few times and I have answered it, but correct me if I’m wrong.

[@phillwilkes7764]

Groovy guitar man. Id like one made outta real antique oak or chesnut

[@BradAngove]

With an opaque finish on it?

[@phillwilkes7764]

@@BradAngove yeah maybe just an oil finish not to shiny

[@pabstfromifunny4556]

Will this work on metal?

[@BradAngove]

If you prime it correctly then yes.

[@KevinfromNewfoundland]

Hey Brad, youre in Canada as well. Can we buy this crackle paint in like Canadian Tire or Home Depot?

[@BradAngove]

Canadian tire might have it. I think I ended up grabbing it off Amazon.