*Why Do I Sometimes Get Metal Marks On Cabinets I Have Painted with White Poly?

This is very common in pigment coatings and paints. It is called metal marking and it is a characteristic that is very difficult to eliminate.

You can even see it in dinnerware like white plates. We usually test with wedding rings and forks. It a constant focus and improvement project for General Finishes, especially the whites. The difference with tinted clear is that the amount of pigment varies from color to color, so sometime it will occur with the lighter paints.