Definition
A surface defect in a freshly applied paint or finish that appears as small, round, crater-like spots where the paint has pulled away from the surface, leaving the underlying material visible. Fisheyes are caused by contamination on the surface being painted — most commonly silicone, oil, wax, or grease — which prevents the paint from wetting and bonding evenly.
Plain English
Small round dimples or holes that appear in fresh paint when something on the surface (like oil or wax) stops the paint from sticking properly.
Context Anchor
Seen during aircraft painting, refinishing, or surface inspection after a coating has been applied.
Derivation
Named for their appearance — each defect looks like a small round eye staring back from the painted surface, with a clear center surrounded by a raised rim of paint.
Why Pilots Care
Fisheyes indicate a contaminated surface and a finish that will not protect the airframe properly. Paint with fisheyes must usually be sanded back and reapplied, and the underlying contamination must be removed first or the defect will return.
Analogy
Like trying to paint over a greasy spot on a wall — the paint beads up and pulls away, leaving a bare circle in the middle.
Intuition Check
Fisheyes are not actual bubbles or dents in the aircraft structure. They are surface-coating defects caused by the finish pulling away from contaminated spots.
Example Sentence 1
After spraying the first coat, the painter noticed fisheyes forming across the wing skin and stopped to clean the surface with a wax-and-grease remover.
Example Sentence 2
Proper surface cleaning prevents fisheyes from appearing in the new paint job.