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.