Even if you don't know what paint "alligatoring" is, you've probably seen it. Maybe you've even wondered if it's more likely to happen during the summer.

Cracking and alligatoring of paint is due to a lack of a primer, plus paint that is applied too thickly. The cure is obvious: Prime and put on thin coats. Flaking is cured the same way.

How can I restore the dull finish on an antique wood piece? Should we try to remove the varnish? Or just apply a really good beeswax furniture polish and leave it at that?

For alligatoring, most paint contractors will recommend completely remove the existing oil paint by using a heat gun, scraping, and sanding. After priming the reworked surface with a high-quality ...

Alligatoring is a cracking and flaking of the paint in a square pattern. It can result from applying paint over a previous coat that had a high-gloss finish that was not sanded, use of the wrong ...

Mildred Irizarry shows "alligatoring" — cracking paint — on the exterior of her Paterson, NJ, home. The cracking can be a sign of lead-based paint.

Should we try to remove the varnish and if so, how? Or should we just apply a really good beeswax furniture polish and leave it at that? A: Wood finishes can become dull over time in several ways.