Fisheyes in a wood finish

Likely causes

The causes the most sources give come first.

1. Something on the surface the finish won’t wet: silicone, wax, oil or grease.

   3 sources agree , sources [1, 2, 3]

2. Furniture polish or silicone dusting spray used on the piece over the years.

   Two sources: Mohawk (RPM) and General Finishes , sources [1, 4]

3. General Finishes says cold can also cause craters in its water-based finishes, but that wax or silicone is the likelier cause.

   One source: General Finishes, the maker of that product , sources [2]

How to tell which

1. General Finishes calls the larger dimples fisheyes or craters, as against the fine texture of orange peel.

   One source: General Finishes, the maker of that product , sources [2]

The fix

1. Clean the contamination off with a solvent before finishing again. On old furniture that can mean stripping it.

   3 sources agree , sources [1, 3, 4]

2. Once the coat is dry, sand the flaw level with fine paper, wipe off the dust and put on another coat. The makers name 220 grit (Minwax), 220–320 (General Finishes) and 400 for sprayed lacquer (Target).

   3 sources agree , sources [5, 6, 3]

Next time

1. Keep the work, tools and shop clean: hand cream, polishes, lubricants and dusting sprays are common sources.

   Two sources: Mohawk (RPM) and Chemcraft , sources [1, 7]

2. Under a water-based finish, use a wax- and oil-free tack cloth, or a damp cloth: most tack cloths hold oil.

   Two sources: General Finishes and Target Coatings , sources [8, 3]

Often comes with

• Orange peel
• Blotchy stain

The finishes it applies to: water-based polyurethane, lacquer, oil-based polyurethane. Every other problem: the finish troubleshooter.