Hello,
I’m a cabinet maker and with that I also finish all of my products in house.
I have just started using M. L. Campbells Arroyo 1k pre cat laquer and I’m having a few issues.
1st coat goes on smooth, sand with surfprep electric ray 320 sand paper.
2nd coat same results and same process.
3rd coat and I’m getting air bubbles in finish.
Spray set up:
Fuji spray 4 stage turbine
Fuji T70 suction gun
1.8mm cap
Room in dust free and climate controlled.
Viscosity 33 seconds #4 Ford
Now, some days the spray goes on, without a problem on 3rd coat. All of my cabinets look great on this project and didn’t have any or only minor air bubbles.
I sprayed my doors and drawer faces today and these air bubbles appeared.
I mix pigment laquer by hand.
Please help!
Replies
It is hard to tell in the photos, but what you may be experiencing is fisheye. Fisheye is a common spray finish problem caused by unseen contaminants on the surface and can strike randomly. Silicone products are notorious for causing fisheye and must be kept away from finishing areas.
https://www.sherwin-williams.com/homeowners/how-to/problem-solver/sagging-wrinkling/sw-article-dir-fisheyes
Thank you for your input. I sanded and applied 4th coat with same results in different areas which leads me to believe its not from contamination. I'm starting to think humidity, my room is temperature controlled but I have not checked humidity and with cooler weather my heat has been on constant.
Once fisheye occurs it will likely continue in successive coats unless treated properly. While I can't confirm that it is fisheye from your pictures it checks a lot of the boxes. What type of sandpaper are you using? There are some who say some stearated papers can cause fisheye, but that is disputed. What are you wiping down with after sanding? I'm not familiar with your particular finish but do they have a fisheye eliminator?
I'm leary about it being a humidity issue. I have never seen humidity cause air bubbles, blushing and other issues yes but not air bubbles.