Craters While Painting

[Burger Steak & Eggs]

Hi dudes.

Someone put a gouge in my box side earlier this spring and I just got around to repairing it. It is impossible to get near a body shop up here so I tried to respray it myself.

While applying the high solids primer and the color, I noticed a great many craters or "fish eyes". Some reading on line suggested contamination in the air lines from the compressor is a common cause of this. I do have a dessicant air dryer and cheap in line filter, both of which were new, and I drained the compressor to minimize moisture, but the compressor is relatively small and quite old.

Any theories on what is causing the craters, and what can I do to prevent them next time?

[george60]

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One time I had my car painted by one of those "$29.95" specialists. It came back with a few "fisheyes" -- Craters?
Caused by a spot of oil or car wax not cleaned off.

Maybe ......

George60

[movinfwd]

try to spray the whole area to be repainted with alcohol then wipe it down good. this will help removing oils and greases that have accumulated on the surface.

[Bakemono]

Originally Posted by movinfwd

try to spray the whole area to be repainted with alcohol then wipe it down good. this will help removing oils and greases that have accumulated on the surface.

I agree. Most likely the metal had some contamination. You need to make sure that the metal is as clean as possible when you go to paint it or else you will get fisheyes.

[Burger Steak & Eggs]

My coveralls were extremely dirty. Lots of dust and oil as well. I know this is bad news for painting, but it just didn't register in my brain to wash them that morning.