Isabella Flores
Fish eyes, or fisheyes, are a common issue in spray painting, where small circular craters appear in the paint. This is caused by contaminants such as dirt, wax, oil, grease, or silicone on the surface before painting, which repel the paint and prevent it from adhering properly. These contaminants can come from various sources, such as surface cleaners, rags, food, the air, equipment, or even the painter's hands or gloves. To avoid fish eyes, it is crucial to thoroughly clean and prepare the surface before painting and ensure that no contaminants are present.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Contamination on the surface prior to the application of paint |
| Common contaminants | Silicon, dirt, wax, grease, oil |
| Other potential contaminants | Skin oil, perspiration, greasy food, incorrect thinners, paint itself, air hose, gun, surface, hands, gloves |
| Prevention | Thoroughly clean the surface before painting, use an air filtering system, use fisheye eliminator as an additive |
| Solutions | Sand to a smooth finish, remove paint and refinish, use sandpaper to remove the affected area, clean the area, use a sealing product |
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Silicone contamination
Fish eyes, or paint bubbling, are small, circular, crater-like openings that appear in the finish during or shortly after the application of paint. Silicone contamination is a common cause of this phenomenon.
To prevent silicone contamination, it is important to thoroughly clean the surface to be painted with a wax and grease remover, as well as a silicone remover. Regular maintenance of air supply and equipment is also crucial. All products containing silicone should be used as far away from the workshop as possible.
If silicone contamination is suspected, there are a few preventive steps that can be taken. One option is to add silicone to the finish, lowering the surface tension and allowing the finish to flow out level. However, once silicone is added to one coat, it must be added to all subsequent coats. There are specific products designed for this purpose, such as Fish-Eye Destroyer, Fish-Eye Flo Out, Sil Flo, and Smoothie.
If fish eyes do occur due to silicone contamination, they can be fixed by sanding and refinishing the affected area. In some cases, a solvent may be used to remove the wet paint film before refinishing.
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Oil contamination
To prevent oil contamination, it is crucial to thoroughly clean the surface before painting. This includes using detergent and hot water, followed by a solvent cleaner, and wiping the surface dry with clean rags. Additionally, an air filtering system can be installed to remove and prevent oil and moisture contamination in the environment.
If oil contamination occurs and fisheyes appear, there are several ways to fix the issue. In some cases, it may be necessary to remove the affected paint and re-coat the surface. Sanding can also be used to remove fisheyes, followed by a strong stream of water and a suitable cleaning product. A sealing product can then be applied to prevent the issue from recurring.
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Incorrect thinners
Fish eyes are tiny surface finish blemishes that resemble small circles of popped paint bubbles, which occur almost as soon as paint hits an auto body surface. They are generally caused by contamination on the surface before the application of paint. The most common contaminant is silicone, which is found in many waxes and polishes. Small traces of silicone do not allow paint to settle evenly; instead, they cause the material to encircle the speck of silicone and form a fish eye.
To prevent fish eyes caused by incorrect thinners, it is important to use the correct thinner for the specific type of paint being used and to follow the manufacturer's instructions for mixing. It is also important to clean the surface thoroughly before painting to remove any contaminants that may react with the thinner or paint.
If fish eyes do occur due to incorrect thinners, there are a few ways to fix them. One method is to sand down the affected area and then refinish it. Another method is to use a fish eye eliminator additive, but it is important to follow the instructions carefully as too much eliminator can actually cause fish eyes to form.
It is always best to consult a professional if you are unsure about the correct thinner to use or if you need help fixing fish eyes.
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Skin oil
To avoid fisheyes caused by skin oil or other contaminants, it's crucial to clean the surface thoroughly before painting. Detergent, hot water, and solvent cleaners can be used to remove contaminants. Additionally, wax and grease removers can be used to eliminate traces of silicone, a common contaminant. Proper cleaning procedures and work ethics are essential to reducing the risk of fisheyes caused by skin oil or other contaminants.
In conclusion, skin oil is a significant contributor to fisheyes in paint jobs. By understanding the causes and taking preventive measures, such as surface preparation, proper cleaning, and the use of gloves, technicians can reduce the occurrence of fisheyes and deliver a high-quality paint finish.
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Dirt
Paint can get contaminated with dirt or debris during the mixing process or when it is being poured into the paint gun. To prevent this, technicians should clean the tops of toner cans before pouring, and always strain the paint before application. Using disposable paint cups with built-in strainers is a convenient option. Additionally, the mixing room should be kept as clean as possible, and the person mixing the paint should wear a paint uniform to prevent dirt from their body from contaminating the paint.
Another cause of dirt in the paint could be due to the paint exceeding its pot life. Over time, paint can harden, and if sprayed in this condition, it can resemble dirt in the final paint job.
Contamination can occur when the surface being painted is not adequately cleaned and prepared. Sanding, cleaning, masking, bagging, and preparing the booth are all crucial steps in the preparation process. If the surface is not smooth and free of debris, the paint job will not look good. Additionally, it is important to minimize horizontal surfaces, as that is where most dirt accumulates.
Even with proper preparation, other factors can introduce dirt into the paint job. For example, opening the door of the paint booth can allow dirty shop air to enter, and painters entering and exiting the booth can bring in contaminants. Pressurized downdraft airflow systems can help mitigate this by ensuring positive cabin pressure, preventing outside contaminants from entering. Additionally, keeping the number of supplies in the booth to a minimum can reduce the risk of contamination.
Lastly, the painter themselves can be a source of contamination. It is important for painters to wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE), including paint suits, gloves, and respirators. Even seemingly clean clothing can contain contaminants, so it is crucial to change gloves between prep work and painting.
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Frequently asked questions
Fish eyes are caused by contamination on the surface before painting. This includes dirt, wax, oil, grease, or silicone. Even skin oil from the technician's hands can cause this issue.
To prevent fish eyes, thoroughly clean the surface before painting. You can use a solvent cleaner or detergent and hot water. Make sure to wipe the surface dry with clean rags.
Fish eyes are small circular craters that appear during or shortly after painting. They resemble small circles of popped paint bubbles.
If the paint has dried, sand the surface to a smooth finish and then refinish. You can also use a product like "Fish Eye Eliminator" to fix this issue.
Oil mist from the compressor is a common cause of fish eyes. Make sure to use a filter and dryer to prevent this. The paint itself could also be contaminated.
