My last 2 overall paint jobs were PPG single stage black. I had a few tiny pin holes show up in the hood of each job. They are so small that I'm sure I'm the only one that sees them, but I'd like any suggestions as to what might cause them, and how to repair them in the future. I'm guessing solvent pop for the why, and Icing for the repair. Any thoughts on how to stop them from happening the next time, and if Icing is the proper fix if it happens again? Would I do a super thin wipe across the pin hole, and dust a bit of sealer over it, or do I need to prime it too as well as sealer? Since I don't have a super clean work place I will be doing my next job also in singe stage so I can easily sand out any junk, big or small, that always pops up! Thanks guys for always providing good advice!

Pictures would help.
What you think it is and what we think it is and how to prevent or fix are more than likely two or three different things.

Doright wrote:Pictures would help.
What you think it is and what we think it is and how to prevent or fix are more than likely two or three different things.

I don't think it would even show, especially on black. What it looks like is that someone took a needle and put it into the wet paint. Like I said, it happened maybe 4 spots on the hood of the last 2 jobs I did. This was maybe 4-5 years ago, and I will be doing more painting this summer. The spots are 100% stable, and the color hasn't faded or changed in any way. I saw an episode of ****' Rides where the shop manager showed a similar problem, but for the life of me I can't remember what he did. I think he used Icing, which is why I mentioned it, but I'm not sure. I figured I would remember it, but of course I haven't! So, that being said, what say you?

yes, pictures would be nice. here's what i do with the one ugly pin hole or fish eye. i let the job dry for a few days then take a tooth pick and with the hands of a brain surgeon dab a drop of color in the crater then with a good bondo spreader squeegee it off. then sand and buff. for pin holes in filler if its a customer i sand them out and do it over. you can fill them but you need to force the filler into the hole, if it traps air then you get the little pimples that show when its hot out and go away when its cool. i have found that pin holes in your filler is from trying to use the filler when it starts to harden or your at the last dried out bit in the can. it needs to be creamy to spread if it starts to firm up then it doesn't spread smooth and traps air and makes pin holes.
Jay D.

Sounds like solvent pop to me as well. Probably due to not enough flash time between coats.

SOLVENT POPPING
(Boiling, Blowing)
Small bubbles, pinholes or crater-like openings in or on the paint film.
____________________________________________________________________________
CAUSE
(A) Liquid solvent (thinners/reducers) becomes "trapped" in the paint film when the surface layer skins over too quickly, preventing their evaporation into the atmosphere. Solvents that vaporize within the paint film leave bubbles, pinholes or craters as they push through and "pop" the surface.
Solvents can be trapped due to:
(1) Thinner/reducer evaporating too fast for spraying conditions;
(2) Inadequate flash time between coats;
(3) Excessive film thickness or "piling on" of heavy/wet coats;
(4) Too much air movement causing surface to "skin over" before solvents evaporate;
(5) Excessive purge/flash time before force drying.

REPAIR
(1) Allow finish to thoroughly dry/cure, sand smooth and refinish. Inspect surface
carefully to ensure all craters have been removed.
(2) Severe popping will require removal of the affected film. Prime, seal and recoat,
as necessary.

I am with Bad Six
It sounds like Pin holes in the Filler process to me as your saying its random 1 or 2 here or there. But without a Picture its impossible to say.

Solvent Pop is more radical it will be very evident with a BUNCH of bubbles and pin holes in an area not just one or two here or there. Fish eyes are huge and even the novice can generally properly identify them.

If it is was indeed caused from Air pockets in your filler and/or Primer coats it will show had you used a good Dry guide coat, The spots will stick out like a sore thumb!
Dry guide coat is the Bomb! easily & quickly applied to get a good contrasting color that sands off easily So low spots OR PIN holes are caught and fixed before paint and clear.
Try using a good hi quality dry guide coat on your filler process and all Primer coats and sanding steps of Primer you'll be glad you did.

Jay D.