Cause:
Alligatoring usually occurs due to one of the following reasons:
- A top coat is applied before the undercoat is fully dry.
- A rigid substance is applied over a product that is more flexible.
- Alligatoring may also be a result of the natural aging process. Time and the elements can cause paint, especially oil-based paints, to start alligatoring.
Solution:
If you encounter the issue of alligatoring on a surface, the wisest thing you can do is to remove all paint and start with a clean slate. Be sure to scrape and sand, and then begin the painting process—as always—with a high quality primer.