Pinhead Bubbles

[Craigbro63]

Well, after much reading and following documented processes I am pretty satisfied with my first paint job. I used all SPI primers, cleaners, etc , Universal Clear, and Motobase paint.
The only issue after a few months, or at least that's when I noticed, I found a few spots with pinhead size bubbles that look to be under the paint. From reading throught posts I am guessing that this may be solvents that were trapped. Maybe wax/grease remover? I waited the recommended times between cleaning, paint coats, and clear coats.
I sanded some smooth with 2000 and polished. You can see that on some bubbles the primer is showing even before sanding.
Any suggestions on repairing?
FYI, I previously did a repair with the blending fluid process and while it's OK I find that it came out a little lighter than the original paint.
Thanks!

 

[texasking]

Nine times out of ten, those are coming from the very bottom, unfortunately.

 

[Craigbro63]

So likely something with the epoxy primer application or body filler?
I found it in about 4 places. Should I sand the area down to metal, epoxy, paint and clear, or something else?

 

[dhutton01]

Did you use waterborne wax and grease remover on filler?

Don

 

[Craigbro63]

I did use waterbourne on everything.

 

[dhutton01]

I had something similar happen when I used waterborne on filler before epoxy. I avoid doing that now. I know it should be ok but that’s my personal experience.

Mandatory backyard hack disclaimer inserted here…

Don

 

[Craigbro63]

Thanks, I'll keep that in mind.
Whatever it is I hope that I won't see more pop out down the road! Its actually been about 8 months since it was painted.

 

[Jim C]

could be rust

 

[MJM]

I had something similar happen when I used waterborne on filler before epoxy. I avoid doing that now. I know it should be ok but that’s my personal experience.

Mandatory backyard hack disclaimer inserted here…

Don

So what do you do to clean the filler / dust before epoxy?

Sorry this happened to you OP, I feel for you.

 

[dhutton01]

So what do you do to clean the filler / dust before epoxy?

Sorry this happened to you OP, I feel for you.

I just blow it off and keep my hands off it until it is primed. There is a wide range of opinion on this. I am just stating my experience and practice.

Given that the OP’s bubbles appeared after 8 months I now doubt it was due to waterborne wax and grease remover on filler. It happened much quicker than that for me.

Don

 

[MJM]

I just blow it off and keep my hands off it until it is primed. There is a wide range of opinion on this. I am just stating my experience and practice.

Given that the OP’s bubbles appeared after 8 months I now doubt it was due to waterborne wax and grease remover on filler. It happened much quicker than that for me.

Don

Understood. I find it interesting, as well as educational to here how others do things. For what it's worth, I too blow off after sanding filler ( #1 reason for doing so is to see if I have any pin holes ), then I take a slightly damp cleaning cloth with wax and grease remover an make one quick wipe over the filler area. Never letting the filler become wet or soaked.

 

[texasking]

I use wax and grease remover (both 700 and 710) over filler all the time without problems. I think the key for me has been blowing with compressed air right after wiping, then letting it sit. This assures there is no puddles or heavy saturation areas, and speeds up the evaporation process. I do concentrate on the filler areas when blowing it off.

 

[Craigbro63]

could be rust

I would hope it would be rust. I stripped everything to bare metal, cleanned, and applied epoxy primer to everything.

 

[Craigbro63]

I use wax and grease remover (both 700 and 710) over filler all the time without problems. I think the key for me has been blowing with compressed air right after wiping, then letting it sit. This assures there is no puddles or heavy saturation areas, and speeds up the evaporation process. I do concentrate on the filler areas when blowing it off.

I definitely let it dry anytime I used the W&G and it was hot weather, around August in Louisiana so evaporated quickly.

 

[MJM]

I definitely let it dry anytime I used the W&G and it was hot weather, around August in Louisiana so evaporated quickly.

Just throwing this out there.........perhaps your air system had a spit or two, of moisture or oil from the compressor?

 

[texasking]

If you sand that area down, it is usually obvious where the problem is coming from. August in Louisiana is similar to the conditions I deal with (SE Texas) The humidity will keep the 700 wet even with the heat, but I think you will find your problem goes deeper than the filler.