What is it?
This is a common issue known as the “Fisheye Effect”, often identified as circular voids or separation in the coating, small crater-like openings in the finish after it has been applied.
Common Causes:
Surface Contamination – Various types of contamination can result in “fisheyes” in the finished product, but the main contaminants where we see this effect are oils/wax/grease or silicone. These cause the product to sit on top of the surface as it is unable to correctly bond (think of water on a glass pane). Other types of contamination that may cause this are dust/dirt/debris, as such the surface should be thoroughly cleaned to prevent this.
Surface Tension Issues – Similar to the above, surface tension is key, so you need to ensure the product has an adequate surface to bond to. Failure to remove any coatings that may contain oils/grease or even other coats of paint can lead to the product being unable to fully adhere.
So, how would I resolve this?
- It is recommended that you sand the coating back to ensure all surface contamination is removed, and then using a strong degreaser to remove any possible grease/oil.
- This then needs to be washed away entirely and allowed to dry fully ensuring no moisture remains.
- It is strongly recommended that an oil tolerant primer is used prior to coating, to ensure that you have as much protection against oils as possible.
- Once this has been sanded smooth with a fine/medium grit sandpaper and cleaned to remove any oils/greases, you can then apply one further coating over the top, this will provide you with a well bonded coat.