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I was wanting to try some crackle paint on a base, most likely Martian Ironside technical, but was a bit unclear on how to use it properly. I thought you would apply in the color you want and let it dry but saw a video where they put it on then primered over it and then painted it. I thought painting over it would cover the "crackle" but maybe it doesn't? Any experience in these matters appreciated.

i used it for my titanicus models i primed the base and then did a clearcoat and then the craklepaint and after that again a clearcoat to seal it up

You can use it as it is but since the product is effectively one colour (plus basecoat showing through cracks) it looks rather bland. That's why many players prefer to paint it afterwards. Paint also prevents the bits from flaking off too easily but doesn't fill the cracks completely. Drybrushing and shading brings out the detail nicely.

I haven’t used GW crackle paint but I have used the red one from GreenStuffWorld and it’s very good

Also Vallejo do a crackle medium so you choose your colour

Not sure if I should rather start a new question or if I can just follow here?

How do you protect crackle paint? I tried GW ones on few test bases and I really like the effect but even after giving it several coats of varnish spray, they didn't last for too long undamaged. Some bits flaked off. Is this paint effect more for display models and dioramas rather than gaming models?

I seal crackle paint the same way as I seal sand on bases, with watered down PVA glue.

Ladislav wrote:
Not sure if I should rather start a new question or if I can just follow here?

How do you protect crackle paint? I tried GW ones on few test bases and I really like the effect but even after giving it several coats of varnish spray, they didn't last for too long undamaged. Some bits flaked off. Is this paint effect more for display models and dioramas rather than gaming models?

There are multiple ways:
1. PVA glue like above suggestion
2. crackle over primed base
3. crackle bites onto layer of CA glue surprisingly well