Alkyd paint

I am anxious to determine the cause of problems on the painted
surfaces of several objects presently at our museum. (These problems
may have resulted from conditions to which the objects were
subjected before they came into our care.)

The paint has "wrinkled". I can best describe this as a "stretching"
of the paint on selected areas of painted walking sticks, etc.,
which has resulted in the surface selectively rising up in "ridges".

The paint is Image (brand) all purpose enamel, an alkyd base enamel.

The manufacturer tells me that this paint can withstand higher
temperatures than humans, and rules out heat (museum track lighting,
even spilt boiling water, for example) as a cause. According to the
manufacturer, this kind of surface problem can only result from
contact with an "aggressive solvent" (in its liquid, not vaporous,
state) capable of dissolving an alkyd enamel paint.
I would like information from anyone who has had similar problems or who
can help throw light on the cause.

Adrian Swain
Kentucky Folk Art Center
Morehead, Kentucky.

                                  ***
                  Conservation DistList Instance 10:22
                Distributed: Wednesday, August 28, 1996
                       Message Id: cdl-10-22-017
                                  ***