Whenever the paint film peels from the underlying surface, it causes paint blisters or bubbles. Heat, moisture, or a mix of the two are commonly liable for the failure of adherence between both the paint and the surface. Peeling occurs as a result of this condition. It is fixable, but the fundamental root of the problem should be treated or the issue will reoccur. Nothing is more discouraging than packing after a presumably flawless paint job just to discover that the walls are covered in blisters and bubbles a few hours to a month later. Even just after paint on the walls and ceiling has cured, paint bubbles can emerge. Read on and know more about why paint produces bubbles.
What are the Common Reasons Why Paint Bubble?
The very last thing you want to do after having to spend hours applying paint on a wall is wake up the next morning to see paint bubbles. Water- or air-filled bubbles form when paint pulls away, but when they decompress as the paint dries, it can solidify in position. Paint layers, both oil-based and water-based, can become loose at any moment, even after the paint has cured. Here are a few potential causes of your paint bubbling:
Unprimed Surface
The secret to getting paint to stick is to build a wall a little rough and uneven. You should sand the wall, but this would take a lifetime. Rather, a layer of primer will be applied to the surface to enable the paint cling. Not all primers serve the same function. Some of these are designed to hide blemishes, whereas others are created to make your preferred paint color appear richer. It is indeed critical to thoroughly sand the area. It will roughen the underlying layer, producing peaks and troughs wherein paint will cling easier.
Unmaintained Temperature
When you painted a space that receives a lot of direct sunlight or contains heat-generating devices, the topmost paint coat may dry quicker. This can result in bubbles. Grease can accumulate on the walls of kitchens as well. Before putting paint on your kitchen walls, make sure to thoroughly clean them. I also recommend washing your walls if you live in a smoking home. Prevent painting in extremely humid and warm situations.
Uncleaned Surface
Dirt and dirt can gather on the walls, and if you do not even clean them down prior to applying fresh paint, this could interfere with the adherence of the fresh layer of paint to the wall. A fresh coat would not cling to the dust particles, resulting in blistering or bubbling on the painted walls. Allow the walls to completely dry prior to applying primer or paint since you are washing with water.
Moistened Surface
Excessive moisture on the painted walls, either caused by water drops, humidity levels, leakage, or piping issues, can induce water-filled bubbles inside the paint to form anywhere other than the foundation layer between two topcoats. These bubbles are frequent in restrooms and kitchens, wherein fluids or condensing in the form of cooking odors are prevalent on surfaces, as well as in locations such as basements that lack enough airflow to maintain relative humidity.
Improper Use of Tools, Technique, or Paint
It really is usually advisable to use more oil-based paint while painting on oil-based paint. Because the two formulae cannot bond properly, applying latex paint on oil-based paint is likely to trigger the paint to bubble. However, latex paint offers several advantages over oil-based paint, including reduced VOCs, relatively low odor, and shorter drying time. Therefore, if you really want to apply latex over oil, you’ll need to coarse up on the surface of the oil-based paint firstly, then wash it with TSP, prime it, and then apply at least two coats of latex. Also, make sure you use the proper paintbrush or rollers for the job – when you’re unsure, consult a painting expert.
How to Work Around Bubbles on a Painted Wall?
Paint bubbles are easy to fix, but be preemptive and prep the surfaces of your wall so you shouldn’t have to go back to make modifications. Check out the list of tips on how to work around bubbles on a painted wall.
Think Proactively
To avoid the danger of bubbling, start preparing your wall. Prior to actually painting, always start with a clean area. Cleaning the walls to eliminate dirt and grime prior to painting is a must, regardless of the fact that it is a dirty job. Although if you don’t notice any marks, there could be a few that are really not visible to the naked eye. Rinse thoroughly after washing with light soap and a towel. When painting a new gypsum wall, make sure to remove all dust. Carefully prime the area before painting, and allow the primer to completely dry before proceeding.
Wait to Cure
Certain paint bubbles can become visible right away, while others may take some time to appear. It may take several hours or days for them all to appear. If humidity behind paint created the bubbles, it’s preferable to delay the restoration until all are completely dry. If the paint is sticky in any way, it’s too early to attempt adjustments, so don’t patch the first paint bubble you encounter. There could be more. Another reason to wait is that the bubbles sometimes will go down within 24 hours when all is dry.
Observe and Repair
In a few days, just use the side of a trowel either to burst the giant bubble or peel back a region of smaller bubbles. Since bubbles are typically concentrated in one region, you only have to eliminate the blistering area but not the remainder of the paint. Sandpaper should be used to polish the surface beneath the bubble. Whereas if the resulting surface is damaged or uneven, fix the wall with the joint compound. Sand the material until it is smooth, then start taking care to remove all sanding dust.
Repaint the Area
Apply a layer of primer to the affected area. Do not even skip this critical step. The primer aids in the adhesion of the fresh paint to the area. Let the primer completely dry before proceeding, or the issue may reoccur. The company’s guidelines will provide an idea of the proper curing time, but they will also consider the quantity of moisture in the air into account. In humid weather, paint costs a longer drying time. Repaint the spot once the primer has dried.
