Fixing Fish Eyes In Single-Stage Paint Jobs

Fish eyes, or paint bubbling, are small circular craters that appear during or shortly after painting. They are caused by contaminants like oil, wax, or grease on the surface before painting. To fix fish eyes in single-stage paint, you may need to completely remove the paint and start over. This involves sanding down the affected areas and refinishing the surface. Some sources suggest using a fisheye eliminator additive, but caution must be exercised as it can cause the paint to act strangely. If the paint is lacquer or urethane, almost any imperfection can be repaired. However, if it is un-catalyzed enamel, there may not be any effective repair options.

Characteristics and their values regarding how to fix fish eyes in single-stage paint:

Identify the cause of fisheye: contaminants like silicon, dirt, or grease

Fisheye is caused by contaminants on the surface prior to the application of paint. The most common contaminant is light oil or silicon, which has made its way onto the surface of the vehicle. When paint is applied on top of this contaminant, it is unable to adhere to the oily surface, creating a "fish eye crater".

Silicon, dirt, wax, or grease contaminants on the painted surface are the most common causes of fisheye. These contaminants prevent the paint from sticking to the surface, so the paint particles clump together, resulting in a tension crater. These contaminants can come from surface cleaners, rags, food, the air, or equipment lines. A previous paint job may have also used silicon-heavy additives that are causing fisheye to occur.

To identify if silicon is the contaminant, apply a stain or a wet application of mineral spirits to the surface. If the surface "fishes eye" or crawls, then silicon is likely the contaminant.

To prevent fisheye from occurring, it is important to thoroughly clean the surface before painting. Use a detergent and hot water, followed by a solvent cleaner. Wipe the surface dry with a clean rag. Additionally, you can install an air filtering system to prevent oil and moisture contamination.

Use a fish eye eliminator additive, but follow instructions carefully

Fish eyes are caused by contamination, usually containing silicon, that disrupts the surface tension of the paint. They can also be caused by painting over surfaces contaminated with oil, wax, grease, or other substances. To fix fish eyes in single-stage paint, you can use a fish eye eliminator additive, but it is important to follow the instructions carefully and use caution as it may result in a loss of adhesion.

When using a fish eye eliminator additive, it is important to first identify the cause of the fish eyes. In some cases, the problem may be due to improper surface preparation or the presence of contaminants on the surface. It is crucial to thoroughly clean the surface and ensure that it is free of any substances that may inhibit paint adhesion. This includes washing the surface with a detergent and hot water, followed by a solvent cleaner, and then wiping it dry with clean rags.

Additionally, it is important to use the correct amount of fish eye eliminator additive. Too much eliminator can actually cause fish eyes to form, so it is crucial to follow the manufacturer's instructions for the specific product you are using. Test the product on a small area first to ensure it does not cause any adverse effects.

It is worth noting that if the fish eyes are isolated to specific areas, you may be able to sand and refinish those areas without having to strip and repaint the entire surface. However, if the fish eyes are widespread or if the paint has dried, you may need to consider a more extensive refinishing process.

In some cases, it may be necessary to completely remove the paint and start over, especially if the fish eyes are due to contamination that cannot be adequately removed through cleaning. This process can be time-consuming and labour-intensive, but it may be the only way to ensure a durable and long-lasting finish.

Sand and refinish the affected area, but this may not work for deep craters

If you're dealing with fish eyes in single-stage paint, it's important to first understand what might have caused them. Fish eyes, or paint bubbling, are usually the result of contamination, often containing silicon, that disrupts the surface tension of the paint. This can happen due to a variety of factors, such as painting over surfaces contaminated with oil, wax, silicone, or grease, using the wrong cleaning methods, or even something as simple as a dirty cloth.

To fix this issue, you'll need to start by sanding down the affected area. It's important to note that this process may be time-consuming and labour-intensive, especially if the craters are deep. Begin by allowing the paint to dry completely, as working on wet paint can lead to further issues. Once dry, use sandpaper with a fine grit, such as P1500, to carefully sand the surface until you reach a smooth finish below the fish eye craters. Take your time with this step to ensure you don't create any new scratches or damage the surrounding paint.

After sanding, thoroughly clean the area with a suitable solvent, such as an anti-silicone solvent, to remove any remaining contaminants. Pay close attention to the manufacturer's instructions when using these solvents. Once the surface is clean and dry, you can begin the refinishing process. Start by applying a primer to the sanded area, ensuring it matches the original primer used. Allow the primer to dry completely before proceeding.

Now, you're ready to repaint the affected area. It's important to use the same paint type and colour as the original paint job to ensure a seamless blend. Carefully apply the paint, following the manufacturer's instructions, and allow it to dry. Depending on the severity of the fish eyes and your desired level of perfection, you may need to apply multiple thin coats, allowing each coat to dry before applying the next.

While this process should effectively fix fish eyes in most cases, it may not be sufficient for deep craters. Deep craters, often referred to as "pigtails", can be challenging to repair without repainting the entire panel. In some cases, the paint may need to be stripped down to the primer and the process restarted, ensuring that each layer is given adequate time to cure. To prevent deep craters in the future, it's crucial to address any underlying issues, such as contamination or improper painting techniques.

Repaint the surface, ensuring it's thoroughly cleaned and dried first

To repaint the surface and prevent fisheyes, you must first ensure the surface is thoroughly cleaned and dried. Paint bubbling, or fisheyes, is caused by contaminants on the surface before the paint is applied. These contaminants can include oil, wax, silicone, grease, dirt, or water.

To avoid fisheyes, clean the surface with detergent and hot water, followed by a solvent cleaner. Wipe the surface dry with clean rags. You can also use a final wash product, such as Dupont 4105, to ensure the surface is clean.

Additionally, it is important to have a clean air supply to prevent contaminants from affecting the paint. Install an air filtering system to remove and prevent oil and moisture contamination. Regularly maintain the air supply by draining, cleaning, and changing filters.

If the paint has already been applied and fisheyes have formed, you will need to remove the paint and start again. Sand the affected areas and refinish with a new coat of paint. Ensure the surface is thoroughly cleaned and dried before repainting.

In some cases, if the paint is still wet, you may be able to fix fisheyes without completely removing the paint. Remove the paint film with a solvent, clean the surface, and refinish. Add a fisheye eliminator and respray the affected area. However, be cautious when using fisheye eliminator, as it can cause the paint to act unpredictably and may result in a loss of adhesion.

Prevent fisheyes by maintaining a clean surface and air supply

To prevent fisheyes, it is important to maintain a clean surface and air supply. Fisheyes are caused by contamination, usually containing silicon, that disrupts the surface tension of the paint. This results in paint bubbles or craters that can ruin the appearance of your project.

To maintain a clean surface, thoroughly clean the surface to be painted with detergent and hot water, followed by a solvent cleaner. Wipe the surface dry with clean rags. Be sure to use a coarse cleaning pad to scrub the surface and then rinse with clean or purified water. This is especially important when using TSP as all residues must be removed entirely. You can also use a paint prep solvent before priming and painting to remove any impurities.

In addition to surface cleaning, it is crucial to maintain a clean air supply. This can be achieved by installing an air filtering system that removes and prevents oil and moisture contamination. Regularly drain, clean, and change the filters in your air supply to maintain a clean air supply and reduce the risk of contamination.

Another way to prevent fisheyes is to apply a coat of super-blond shellac, which acts as a barrier between surface impurities and the finish. After this coat dries, apply a thin first coat of finish or a sanding sealer to even out the surface tension before adding additional coats.

By following these steps and maintaining a clean surface and air supply, you can effectively prevent fisheyes and ensure a smooth and even paint finish.

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