What Causes Fish Eyes In Paint? Find Out Now!

Every artist or DIY enthusiast knows the frustration of perfectly painting a surface only to find small bumps or craters after it dries. These imperfections, known as fish eyes, can ruin the finish and require costly repairs. But what exactly causes fish eyes in paint?

The answer lies in understanding how paints are formulated and applied. Fish eyes appear when there is an issue with surface tension or adhesion between layers of paint. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including contaminated surfaces, improper mixing of chemicals, temperature fluctuations, and even humidity levels.

“Fish eyes can be a painter’s worst nightmare, but with some knowledge and diligence, they can be prevented.” -Expert Painter

The good news is that preventing fish eyes is possible with some simple measures such as thoroughly cleaning and prepping surfaces, using compatible materials, working in ideal environmental conditions, and following correct application techniques. In this blog post, we will explore each of these potential culprits in detail and provide tips on how to avoid them.

If you have ever encountered fish eyes in your painted surfaces or simply want to learn more about maintaining a seamless finish in your projects, keep reading to discover the key causes of fish eyes in paint and how to prevent them from occurring.

Contaminants in the Paint

Fish eyes are one of the most common problems faced during painting. These imperfections look like small craters or circles on the painted surface and can be caused by various factors. One of the main causes of fish eyes is contaminants present in the paint material itself, such as dust, dirt, oil, grease, rust, corrosion, residue, and chemicals.

Dust and Dirt

Dust and dirt are commonly found in basements or garages where painters usually work. If these tiny particles fall onto the painted surface, they can cause undesirable effects such as fish eyes. Before starting a project, it’s crucial to clean the room properly using a damp rag or absorbent cloth to avoid dust and debris getting into the paint. Since it’s virtually impossible to get rid of all dust and dirt, try using filters or tents to eliminate any possible source of contamination in your painting area.

Oils and Grease

Oily or greasy surfaces should also be cleaned before applying paint. Even the smallest amount of residual grease will quickly penetrate through the fresh coat of paint causing tension between the newly applied layer and the already cured one. As a result, a fish eye appears in the centre of the spot caused by this tension. A recommended process for cleaning these kinds of surfaces is washing them with water-based cleaners followed by re-washing them again, but this time with a mild soap solution. The surface must then be dried entirely so that there will not be any oil or grease left behind.

Rust and Corrosion

If the surface being painted has areas of rust or metal corrosion, they must first be treated with approved solvents. When leftover rust or contaminated debris is subject to sanding or scraping, they may lift into the air and fall back onto the surface surrounding it. This is one of the most common ways fish eyes occur during painting projects. When sanding or scraping, remember to wear a safety mask to avoid inhaling these contaminants while working.

Residue and Chemicals

If you have recently witnessed your washing machine, waxed their car in that very room, or any other procedure which leaves behind residue such as turpentine and similar chemicals, then they must be cleared before starting painting work. Leaving them out will certainly lead to fish eyes. Use appropriate cleaning solutions for each household chemical that can’t be removed with general-purpose mild soap detergent. Ensure to clean the surface well twice. Once before solvent treatment and again after using solvents. Don’t ever try to skip these steps regardless of how small or invisible it may seem; neglecting this step is likely to cost even greater damage.

“The appearance of fish-eye imperfections on automotive finishes has been an issue since paint technology was first implemented nearly a century ago.” – Brian Goldstein

Many factors contribute to the formation of fish eyes when painting surfaces. The primary cause of fish eyes is contaminated materials involving pollutants like dust, grease, oil, rust, debris, and other forms of residues named above. These impurities are introduced pre-painting by unclean environments, insufficient surface prep, poor application techniques, or inappropriate use of products. If you’ve figured out what causes the fish-eyes in your painting project, ensure adequate remediation following the recommended process in each case.

Humidity and Temperature Levels

Controlling humidity and temperature levels is essential in preventing fish eyes in paint. Fish eyes can occur when there is contamination on the surface of the substrate or in the air, resulting in the paint not properly adhering to the surface. High humidity levels and extreme temperatures can increase the likelihood of fish eyes forming.

High Humidity

High humidity refers to the amount of water vapor present in the air. When humidity levels are high, it can create a barrier between the substrate and the paint. This barrier prevents proper adhesion, leading to fish eyes. It is recommended to keep humidity levels below 70% during painting and drying processes.

“The key to successful painting outcomes for manufacturing companies is maintaining consistent environmental control of humidity and other factors.” – Bruce Schimmel, author of “Guide to Successful Coating Application”

To maintain lower humidity levels, use dehumidifiers or fans, as well as ensuring all surfaces and materials are dry before beginning the painting process. The work area should also be kept clean from dust and other contaminants that could contribute to fish eyes forming.

Low Humidity

While high humidity levels are problematic, low humidity levels can also impact the formation of fish eyes. Low humidity levels cause the drying process to occur too quickly, resulting in trapped solvents. These solvents then evaporate and leave behind small craters, known as fish eyes. Ideal conditions typically include humidity levels between 40-60% to avoid both high and low humidity-related issues.

“Paint application flaws like fisheyes are pain points fabricators face and combat with spray booths, product management systems, cleaner applications, and pre-treatment options.” – Debbie Sniderman, Inside Finishing magazine progress updates columnist

The use of a good quality, low solvent content primer and maintaining even film thicknesses is also helpful in preventing fish eyes caused by low humidity.

Extreme Temperatures

Extreme temperatures can impact the drying process, causing paint to dry either too quickly or too slowly. When paint dries too quickly, the solvents within it become trapped, forming fish eyes within the coat. Conversely, when paint dries too slowly due to colder temperatures, contaminants have more time to settle on the surface, resulting in increased chance of fish eyes. Paint should be applied between 50-85°F (10–30°C) with moderate air movement to prevent excessive contamination.

“Avoid painting during times of high humidity or extreme temperatures above 95 degrees Fahrenheit. High heat and direct sunlight can cause cracking, bubbling, scorching, and fish eye formation.” – Ron Taylor, author of “Professional Painting Contractor”

In order to prevent temperature-related fish eyes, work areas must be kept at stable and consistent temperatures using heaters or cooling units if necessary. Primers and other materials such as thinners may require warming prior to application as well.

By understanding the impact of humidity and temperature levels on paint adhesion, steps can be taken to prevent dreaded occurrences like fish eyes from forming during the painting and finishing processes.

Improper Surface Preparation

Fish eyes in paint occur when the finish has failed to properly adhere to the surface of the material. One of the primary causes of this problem is improper surface preparation, which can be further broken down into three main issues: inadequate cleaning, insufficient sanding, and failure to prime.

Inadequate Cleaning

The first step in any successful painting project is thorough cleaning. Dirt, grease, wax, or other contaminants on a surface will prevent the paint from adhering correctly and create fish eye spots. To ensure proper adhesion and a smooth finish, it’s essential to clean surfaces with solvent-based cleaners using a tack cloth or rag before applying the paint.

“Cleaning is an important part of the painting process that sometimes gets overlooked, but it can make all the difference in how your final coat looks.” -Bob Vila

Insufficient Sanding

Sanding is another crucial step in preparing a surface for painting. When the previous layer of coating is not entirely sanded away or roughed up enough to provide sufficient tooth, it can compromise the bond between successive coats, leaving patches of bare or peeling finishes. Incomplete sanding can cause minor scratches, which ultimately leads to fish eyes due to poor bonding of the coating layers.

“If you want a quality job, time must be taken; no shortcuts should be allowed.” -W. Anderson Corporation

Failure to Prime

Primer helps to promote better adhesion by sealing off porous surfaces such as new woodwork or rusted metal. Without primer, the topcoat won’t have anything to stick to, leading to speckling, cracking, and eventually fish eyes. A high-quality primer serves several functions beyond improving adhesion, including hiding stains and providing better coverage for the topcoat.

“Not only does a primer provide excellent adhesion, but it also smooths over any small imperfections on surfaces to create a flawless finish.” -This Old House

Improper surface preparation can lead to many issues in paint projects and make the final result look unsightly. However, taking your time with cleaning, sanding, and priming processes will help eliminate the causes of fish eyes and ensure a lasting, professional-looking finish.

Incorrect Paint Mixing

Poor paint mixing creates many problems for a painter, among which fish eyes are most common. The process of paint mixing includes several variables that must be managed diligently if you want perfect paintwork with no flaws.

Inaccurate Ratios

The first and foremost reason behind the appearance of fish eyes is inaccurate ratios. Different paints have varied densities and can sometimes separate during storage; this causes unmixed substances leading to inconsistencies in respective layers of painting.

To avoid such issues, always use specific quantities according to every paint manufacturer’s instructions and chart out everything appropriately with a measuring cup to achieve a reliable ratio for the precise mixture of materials.

Insufficient Mixing

Another crucial factor responsible for fish eyes is insufficient stirring or shaking of the paint before applying it onto the surface. Inadequate blending often leads to dry spots on the paint layer, creating by-products like silicone from additives reacting with itself forming defects in gloss surfaces.

So make sure you stir/shake thoroughly before using any paint product, preferably around 5-10 minutes for best results.

Wrong Type of Thinner

If you add an incompatible thinner while mixing your paint, it may cause quick evaporation or retard drying resulting in visible imperfections such as fisheyes, air bubbles or cracking in paint. And remember, never mix water-based thinner and oil-based thinners!

It’s also vital to select a correct thinner compatible with the base powder formulation; otherwise, trapped solvents inside newly applied coats will create small bumps, contaminating the painted surface with dust so much more easily.

Expired Paint

Paint ages eventually, losing some binding strength over time due to various factors such as sun exposure, humidity, oxygenation. Using expired paint is one of the main causes behind fish eyes.

The easiest solution to stop this from happening is to check the production date before purchasing and always use it within the specified period marked on the back label or material safety data sheets (MSDS). Proper storage of paints in a cool, dry location also extends their lifespan up to several years.

“The key to perfect mixing lies in precision, patience and care.”

Using the Wrong Type of Brush or Roller

In painting, choosing the right type of brush or roller is as crucial as selecting the best quality paint. If you use the wrong tools, you may end up with uneven textures, bad blends, and even fish eyes in your paint finish.

Wrong Bristle Type

The bristle type is a vital factor to consider when choosing a brush. Natural hair brushes work well for oil-based paints because they hold more paint and provide better coverage, while synthetic brushes are ideal for water-based coatings due to their durability and stiffness. If you mix these up, you’ll get poor results such as sagging, puddling, and ripple marks in your paintwork.

“Pick the right tool for the job.” – American Proverb

Fish eyes occur when adhesion problems interrupt the drying process of the paint and cause bumps or small craters on the surface. These undesirable blemishes can happen quickly, destroyed hours of preparation work and causing delays in completion time.

“With each stroke of the brush, your heart flies free” – Unknown

If you want to avoid this problem, always read the label of paint products and purchase compatible equipment required by the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Wrong Roller Nap

Rollers also have several types of naps that vary from short (1/4 inch) to long (1 1/2inch). Choosing the correct nap depends on the surface type you will be working on; thick nap rollers are used primarily on rough surfaces such as brick walls or textured ceilings, whereas thinner rollers produce smoother finishes and should be employed on flat interior surfaces like plasterboard.

“Painting is just another way of keeping a diary.” – Pablo Picasso

Using an incorrect roller nap with your paint can cause fish eyes, making it crucial to make the perfect choice. Apply a conservative approach and account for the level of roughness before selecting any rollers or brushes.

Poor Quality Brushes or Rollers

Bargain-priced brushes may sound attractive financially; however, they tend to be low quality and will produce insufficient results in the end. Cheap bristles are prone to breaking and separating while painting, causing them to leave drying paint falls on surfaces now had done bad fish eye effects.

“Quality is not expensive – it’s priceless.” – Unknown

If you want to avoid such issues, invest little more money in decent-quality equipment that provides better finishes and comes with longevity. Also, taking proper care of your instruments regularly will keep them functioning at their peak and help prevent fish-eye occurrences.

Not Using the Right Brush or Roller for the Job

Carefully consider what materials and surface characteristics each particular job requires when choosing paintbrushes and rollers. Various tasks demand differing brush widths, weights, and stiffness levels. Additionally, specific projects require special detailing tools, allowing painters to reach tight or intricate spaces precisely.

“The painter has the Universe in his mind and hands.” – Leonardo da Vinci

Avoiding fish eyes in paint by using the right brush or roller means making smart choices starting from preparation through project completion, with consideration given expertise behind every decision along the way.

• To Sum Up:
• Use appropriate tools for each task based on product instructions.
• Select best-fitting brush nap and thickness depending on the surface type.
• Choose high-grade Bristol material instead of low budget equipment.
• Select your tools carefully to ensure precision work is attainable.

Applying Paint Too Thickly

Fish eyes in paint can be caused by applying the paint too thickly. When this happens, bubbles of air from the surface are trapped inside the coating and push their way to the top, causing small craters or fish eyes.

The best way to avoid this problem is to apply the paint thinly and evenly. You should use a thinner paint if you think there is a risk of the paint getting too thick. To ensure an even application, start at the bottom and work your way up with long strokes. Try to spread the paint as thinly as possible without leaving any gaps between strokes.

You should also try to reduce the amount of paint on the brush or roller. Avoid overloading them. Instead, only load what is needed to cover the area being painted. This will help prevent fish eyes while ensuring that the paint goes on smoothly and evenly.

Inadequate Skill Level

If you do not have sufficient skill level when it comes to painting, you may end up with fish eyes in your paintwork. One of the main reasons why people experience this problem is because they do not know how to mix the paint properly before application.

To combat this issue, always follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully when mixing paint. Use exactly the right ratio of paint to thinners, and spend time practicing if you’re new to painting. If possible, take a class, read articles, or watch videos for tips on improving your technique. With practice, you’ll begin to notice that fish eyes become less common in your paintwork.

Inappropriate Techniques

Another reason why you might see fish eyes in epoxy or paint is because of inappropriate techniques. For example, using a rolling approach instead of a brushing method could cause tiny air pockets to form beneath the surface of the paint, which results in fish eyes.

If you want to avoid this problem, use proper painting techniques when applying your paint. Brush lightly and slowly, taking care to apply even pressure across the whole brush stroke. Take breaks when needed to allow the paint to dry before applying another coat.

Incorrect Equipment Usage

The equipment used for painting can have a big impact on whether or not fish eyes appear in the paintwork. For instance, using brushes with low-quality bristles can cause tiny fibers from the brush to break off and stick to the paint’s surface, creating craters that resemble fish eyes.

To prevent this issue from happening, always use high-quality brushes and other painting tools. Make sure they are clean and free from debris before starting, and store them properly after finishing a project. You may also consider investing in an airless sprayer since it offers more control over application and prevents air pockets that lead to fish eyes.

Overworking the Paint

Finally, be wary of overworking paints during application. Applying too many layers or failing to allow enough drying time between coats can result in small bubbles being trapped within the epoxy or paint.

If you’re having trouble with fish eyes appearing in your work, try lightening up on the number of layers you apply. Let each layer dry well before adding another. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 24 hours between each coat. This will help prevent bubbling from occurring and ensure that the freshly painted area comes out looking smooth and consistent.

“A painter should think first of all about medium: what is the perfect vehicle that will carry his expression? With some it must be oil or pastel or watercolor…or gouache.” -Hans Hofmann

Frequently Asked Questions