Digital BW, The Print

I made a print for a client about 3 years ago and it is now showing an issue I have never seen before. Here are the specs: print size 43"x60", Hahnemuhle Photo rag 308, Cone Piezotone selenium inks, Epson 9800 printer. The print was framed (not by me) by floating using archival hinges on the back of the print along the top in a semi-deep frame with plexiglass. So the print "floats".

I went to the clients because he noticed "cracking" of the surface. I louped the "cracks" and they do not look like cracks but more like short scratches - but not the surface, more like the coating, the print surface is not pilled. The "cracks" are only located at the points with the hinges are adhered to the back of the print and where the print has buckled a bit and is touching the plexiglass. It does not look like coating flaking.

Any ideas out there what it might be? My only thought is the weight of the print is stretching those areas and because they are restricted it is indeed "cracking".

Mark
http://www.stillrivereditions.com