What Causes Fish Eyes in Car Paint?
by Cricket Webber
The term "fish eye" refers to a tiny crater that can form on a car's paint job during or after the car is repainted. Several substances can cause fish eye, but the main way to avoid these craters from forming on your car's finish is to be sure to clean your car thoroughly before painting it. Protect the car during the painting process, and ensure that nothing gets onto the paint. There are also additives for car paint, but these can cause other problems.
Skin Oil
Reduce the risk of contaminating your car's paint job with skin oil by washing your hands or wearing latex gloves. Even brushing up against the car's paint with your arm can transfer enough skin oil to cause fish eyes to form when you spray the next layer of paint onto the car.
Tool Oil
Oil and lubricants from sanders or other tools you use on your car between layers of paint poses the same risk as skin oils. Clean your car thoroughly between coats of paint and maintain your power tools regularly to ensure they do not leak fluids onto your fresh paint.
Engine and Road Fluids
Just as with other types of oily liquids, engine fluids and oil from roads can cause fish eyes to form on your car's paint if you do not remove the fluids properly before painting your car. Clean your car thoroughly before painting it and do not run the engine until you have completed all of the painting.
Silicone
Silicone is found in car waxes and some cleaning products. Silicone is a slippery fluid that mimics oil if it gets onto your paint job before you paint the next layer. You can remove silicone with the same products that clean other oily substances from the car.
References
Writer Bio
Cricket Webber began writing for fun as a young adult and started writing professionally in 2010. She is based in the deep South. Webber specializes in articles on greener living. Her work has appeared in various online publications. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in education from Converse College.
