Replies

1. 
   PlaneWood | Jun 19, 2005 09:56pm | #1

   I never spray or brush any type of finish in the sun.  Always in the shade.  To much chance of the heat causing blistering (air trapped in the wood expanding outward because of the heating).

   I've always cured the fish eye problem by adding thinner and by keeping contaminants off of, and out of, the paint.  It's a surface tension thing.  Contaminants change the surface tension in the immediate vicinity.  Adding thinner reduces the surface tension and gives it a better chance of levelling out.

   PlaneWood by Mike_in_Katy (maker of fine sawdust!)
   PlaneWood

2. 
   WillGeorge | Jun 19, 2005 10:01pm | #2

   Can someone tell me what causes fisheyes and how to stop them.

   I would not go fishing!

3. 
   notDusty | Jun 20, 2005 02:37am | #3

                rr,

                            In this case the sun is most likely causing your problems . Often times in the sun the surface is drying faster than the underlaying material. However fisheye can also be caused by contaminates such as silicones and a or wax and such. Spraying a VERY HEAVY AND THICK COAT WILL  often cause less than perfect results . A good lacquer finish is not necessarily a thick finish . Sanding between sealer coats and perhaps between finish coats will produce great results and a furniture quality finish . It seems once the fisheye craters form it can be next to impossible to make them disappear . There are additives you can use that can help , one such product is called Smoothie , a few drops per quart work wonders , but caution should be used as this type of product can weaken a finish.

            good      luck                      dusty

4. 
   Steve50 | Jun 20, 2005 02:37am | #4

   Check out this site for fisheye info:  http://www.homesteadfinishing.com

5. 
   mikegagne | Jun 20, 2005 08:39am | #5

   Fisheye is caused by a number of things:
   Oil in your compressed air will cause them-little craters in an otherwise smooth finish,
   Silicone dusting products (Endust, Pledge, etc) are the worst offenders and hard to overcome,
   Other non specific contaminants that do not dry and shed the finish as it sprayed on them.

   Wiping silicone caused fisheye with ammonia (household type) will remove most of the silicone. Filtering oil particles from your air and maybe checking your compresser for excess wear. Sun does not cause them but may heat oil particles causing them to surface through successive coats. Hope this helps you, Aloha, Mike