I recently bought a used 2002 Outback LLBean. The paint has what my mom cause the Crackle Affect. The paint has very even little cracks everywhere. It kind of looks like an OCD artist decided to put 1/4 inch long key scratches in every which direction, about 3 per square inch. 
    I knew it was this way when I bought the thing- I mostly am curious as to why this happens? I have seen a few other LLBeans with this same paint crack pattern. Any ideas? Thanks!

It's heat cracking. Mostly see it in areas with heavy sun, or on dark colored paint.

 

It's more common on cars that have been repainted at some point, but it does occur on factory paints as well.

 

Basically the paint is expanding and contracting at a different rate than the metal surface that its on. After a couple thousand heating and cooling cycles the paint cracks at a weak point.

 

Only one way to fix it, sand it all off right down to the metal and repaint it.

Mary32,

 

I agree.

Thanks.