

Solution: Your first order of business (before even scraping away the bubbles) is to inspect and address the source of the moisture, whether that’s a roof leak, basement flooding, bathroom humidity, loose plumbing connections beneath a sink, or leaky caulking. These types of bubbles are common to bathrooms and kitchens, where liquids or condensation in the form of cooking fumes are present on surfaces, or in spaces like basements without adequate ventilation to moderate humidity levels. Photo: The Painting Surface or Surroundings were MoistĮxcess moisture on your painted walls-whether from water droplets, high humidity, leaks, or plumbing problems-can cause water-filled bubbles in the paint, originating anywhere from the substrate level to between the top two coats. Just remember that the primer itself needs to dry fully before paint application, or else the solvent component of paint that is meant to evaporate during dry time will instead become trapped beneath the top paint coat and lead to blistering. The primer will seal pores in the substrate, ultimately affording a thicker base coat with adequate binders that subsequent paint coats can stick to without bubbling.

(If you’re still deciding on the new topcoat, keep in mind that oil-based primer is more resistant to moisture, making it a better choice in high-moisture spaces like bathrooms or kitchens.) Either oil-based or latex primer will do pick yours to match the type of paint you plan to roll on afterward. Solution: If you notice paint bubbles after a primer-free paint application, remove the bubbles using the scraping-and-patching technique outlined below, clean the surface of joint compound dust and other debris, then apply a stain-blocking primer to the surface before re-painting it. Where new paint doesn’t stick to the base coat, it tends to lift off and result in a bubbling top coat. As a result, your base coat of paint will have a thinner binder film than necessary for the next paint coat to stick to.

Porous substrates like bare drywall or plaster absorb more of both the pigments and resins (binders) found in the paint than substrates that have been sealed with primer. Let the surface air-dry completely before applying primer and paint to the patched areas. Then, to prevent paint from blistering in the future, thoroughly clean the surface with a sponge dampened with soapy water followed by a dry rag. Solution: You can course-correct using the scraping-and-patching technique outlined in the last section of this article. the bubbles won’t extend down to the substrate. These are examples of those confined to the topcoat, i.e. As the new paint dries and, to some extent, shrinks, it will lift up from soiled areas of the surface and forms unsightly bubbles around specks of grime. Photo: The Painting Surface was DirtyĮver wonder why the first step of painting a room often involves cleaning the wall? Dust, dirt, and grime inevitably collect on interior walls and ceilings over time, and fresh paint has difficulty adhering to surfaces clogged with these loose particles.
