Cause Alligatoring and cracking is caused by excessive build up of paint. Eventually, multiple cracking of the paint film occurs as seasonal temperature variations inhibit expansion and contraction of the paint film with the substrate. Simultaneous to cracking, the inability of the thick paint film to expand and contract with the substrate results in adhesion loss. Paint applied to this surface will invariably accelerate flaking of the total film down to the substrate. Wrinkling is caused by applying paint in excess of the recommended wet film thickness and by applying paint containing strong solvents to already dry paint films. These solvents cause the underlying paint film to dissolve and expanded (wrinkle) under the newly applied paint. The result is a wrinkled finish.
Solution Wrinkled surfaces can be power-sanded to a smooth surface. Surfaces that show alligatoring or cracking must have the paint stripped to bare wood by power sanding, use of paint remover, or heating gun and scraper. Bare wood that has been exposed to weathering must be sanded to fresh wood. Exposure of sanded fresh wood to sunlight for more than a one-week period will result in peeling of the newly applied paint.
