Blistering

WHAT IS PAINT BUBBLING?

Paint bubbling is just another way of saying paint blistering. A blister is a pocket of fluid that congregates between dried paint, which can expand and form into blisters or bubbles and break open, leaving damaged paint surfaces or holes and marks left behind. Paint bubbling can happen shortly after paint or longer term.
 
WHAT CAUSES PAINT TO BLISTER?

• Painting in direct sunlight or on a surface that is too hot
• Application of an oil-based or alkyd paint over a damp, wet surface
• Exposing a fresh paint film to dew, high humidity or rain
• Moisture passing through interior walls from common household sources such as bathrooms, kitchens and laundry rooms

SOLUTIONS TO PAINT BLISTERING

• Determine if blisters were caused by heat or moisture. Break open and examine the substrate and back side of blistered paint.
• If only the newest coat of paint is blistered, the blister was probably caused by heat.
• If the peeled blister contains several coats of paint and the bare surface is exposed, the blister was probably caused by moisture.

FOR PAINT BLISTERING CAUSED BY HEAT:

• Remove blisters by scraping, sanding or pressure-washing down to underlying coats of paint or primer.
• Repaint the surface with a high-quality interior/exterior paint (make sure the surface temperature is below 90º F).
• Find the best paints suited for your project.

FOR BLISTERING CAUSED BY MOISTURE:

• Repair loose caulking and improve ventilation of the building to prevent a recurring problem.
• Remove the blisters by scraping or sanding down to the bare surface.
• Prime all bare areas with a high-quality primer.
• Repaint the surface with a high-quality paint in the desired finish.