Fish eye contamination source?

[nospambob]

After several coats of Target USL and TransTint as tones without problems started topcoating with clear USL and up pops fish eyes! Received a shipment of Fuhr #330 Universal Cleaner that was used followed by white vinegar/water to neutralize the cleaner then 1:1 acetone/water to rinse out gun between coatings. Sanded down today leaving pinpoint spots of shiny finish and sprayed clear USL and they returned. Wasn't surprised but would like to know what the cause is to avoid replication! Soaked and brushed gun components prior to spraying today but didn't use vinegar as that is MY primary suspect (from my point of ignorance as chem lectures weren't meaningful and they were YRARS ago). Ideas?

[rj]

[Gerry]

I'm assuming you're talking about Target Oxford Ultima Spray Lacquer, which is a water reduced acrylic copolymer. (Why are most acronyms three letters? Will we ever run out of them?) Haven't used it, but would expect behavior similar to most other water bourne finishes. Since you applied vinegar, I assume you used the cleaner to strip the finish from the wood, and not just to clean the gun.

Provided you did wash it off, and I suspect it's >After several coats of Target USL and TransTint as tones without

[Baron]

Could you have used a silicone containing product ANYWHERE in the shop where you are working? You would be surprised how a lubricant used at one end of the shop, or near an intake for your ventilation system can play havoc with fisheye. I will assume that you did not use a fisheye destroyer in your gun prior to the problem. Vinegar is not the problem. You may need a more appropriate gun cleaner.

To deal with the current problem, spray two light coats of dewaxed shellac. Do not brush them on as it will only stir the silicone to the top.

Good Luck.

[Bob K 207]

any kind of aerosol spray (solvent or lube) used anywhere near (or what may seem to be far) your painting can cause fisheye problems.

I used some spray lube about 35 ft (outside & away) from garage painting area and 1/2 hour later painted some window sashses in the garage. Fisheyes appeared & reapeared for the next hour or so.

The spray droplets can remain air borne for a very long time.

[John Keeney]

Besides the other stuff mentioned by others... Did you by chance use air tools during your sanding? Oil can find its way out of the system through the exhaust of the tools.

[nospambob]

[clutch]

1. Silicone used in shop.
2. air Oiler used with hoses you used for your spray gun.

Wes

[nospambob]

[Gerry]

On the silicone sensitivity issue: I had a 20x40 basement. Did machining at one end, using silicone and other lub sprays, and the compressor in the middle. At the other end I'd open the bulkhead doors and set up an exhaust fan to do spray finishing. Used oil and water base, and lived there 27 years but never saw fish eye. Not to say you shouldn't be careful, but just that it doesn't seek out the wood.

BTW, silicon is _not_ the only contaminant that causes fish eye, especially if your using water base.

GerryG

[Curtis Conley]

The fisheyes more than likely came from something on your hands. Even the smallest bit of contaminent will make them eyes. Did you or anyone touching your wood use any kind of hand creams? Seen it happen many many times.

[nospambob]

[clutch]

At a place now defunct that made automotive interior trim components such as painted rear package trays (shelf panels). The spraying of silicone by maintenace techs in that 100,000 sq ft building caused fisheye on our paint line. The shelf panels were made out of 'superwood'. Something like sheet goods on the line between masonite and chip board. The backs of old tv's had this stuff in the old days before plastic. We used to 3d form the stuff and then paint it, later, carpet it.

This was with waterborn paints.

Wes

Wes

[Gerry]

Hmm..does that sound a bit suspicious? Wonder if you might want to let that USL settle in the can for awhile, then take a took with a raking light. If not that, might be the hose. With a clean hose, most compressors (even oil lubs) will not put out enough vapor or oil to immediately contaminate. So if your hose and gun are clean, try getting rid of the other stuff.

If all else fails, f>Two coats 1.5# Sealcoat then USL. First 80% of USL went fine then

[nospambob]