How can I prevent car paint surface craters?

Air pockets in wet paint cause cratering on the surface. When air bubbles rise to the surface, they burst, causing crater-like imperfections. You can prevent this by using the right paint gun speed, applying paint farther away from the surface, and in other ways.

This article will explain what causes air entrapment, how to prevent it, and what steps you can take to eliminate it.

• What causes craters in auto paint surfaces?
• How can I avoid craters in a painted surface?
• How can I repair a cratered auto paint surface?
• Are there other issues that could cause an imperfect auto paint surface?
  
  

What causes craters in auto paint surfaces?

When bubbles or air pockets in wet paint rise to the surface, they pop, which results in small craters. If paint is not applied in a way that prevents air pockets from forming, the surface will have tiny but noticeable imperfections.

Bubbles and air pockets can be caused by:

• Using a too slow paint gun speed
• Holding the spray gun too close to the painted surface
• Low air pressure
• A spray gun being set up improperly.
  
  

How can I avoid craters in a painted surface?

Trying the following things will help you achieve a smooth paint finish:

• Use the correct paint gun speed. Check out our article on how to apply auto paint correctly.
• Move your spray gun farther from the surface you’re painting.
• Check that the air pressure of your spray gun is at the right level. Use the manufacturer’s recommended speed, which you can find in the instruction guide or on the maker’s website.
• Check that your spray gun is set-up correctly. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and check out our tips on how to prepare a paint gun properly.
• Have your paint gun checked by an expert to ensure it’s working properly. Check out our paint gun troubleshooting tips.
  
  

How can I repair a cratered auto paint surface?

There are two ways to fix a paint surface that has craters:

1. Wet sand the surface with 1500 to 2000 grit sand paper, apply rubbing compound, and polish the affected area.
2. Wet sand the surface with 1500 to 2000 grit sand paper and apply a new surface using the tips from the previous section to prevent imperfections from happening again.
   
   

Are there other issues that could cause an imperfect auto paint surface?

Air entrapment can look similar to paint surface issues caused by a solvent pop or dust contamination.

• Air entrapment will normally occur when the film is still wet and can be removed with compounding procedures.
• Solvent pop will appear after the film is skinned over and will leave pinholes when sanded. Learn more about how to fix a surface flawed by solvent pops.
• Dust contamination will appear as the film is drying but still tacky. Under close examination these craters will have a spec of dirt in their center. Find out how you can fix a surface marred by dust contamination.

Taking these steps will help you avoid and eliminate paint surface craters.