Patterned
cracking in the surface of the paint film resembling the regular
scales of an alligator.
POSSIBLE
CAUSES:
Application of an extremely hard, rigid coating, like an alkyd
enamel, over a more flexible coating, like a latex primer.
Application of a top coat before the undercoat is dry.
Natural aging of oil-based paints as temperatures fluctuate. The
constant expansion and contraction results in a loss of paint
film elasticity.
SOLUTION:
Old
paint should be completely removed by scraping and sanding the
surface; a heat gun can be used to speed work on large surfaces,
but take care to avoid igniting paint or substrate. The surface
should be primed with high quality latex or oil-based primer,
then painted with a top quality exterior latex paint.
