To make an alligator skin pattern top one of the easiest ways is to use two unlike paints. You'll need lacquer and enamel. It's best if you use an airbrush so you can better control how much paint you apply. After masking of the body, apply a thin coat of enamel. While still wet, apply a thin coat of lacquer. It's best to use either flat or semi-gloss colors for more realism. As the paint dries, the lacquer dries fairly quickly and will form a skin. Since the enamel dries slowly, it will crack the skin and form an alligator style pattern. One of the benefits with this method is you can use any colors you want, either the same or contrasting to produce your own special effects. If you'd like your top to have a seam, apply a strip of narrow striping tape before applying the paints.