skip to main content

Help! Bubbling Paint

18 years ago

My painter and I are at our wits' end. He just finished painting over several rooms of "decorative", mostly oil-based paint. He sanded and primed (with a good latex primer) the walls first, then coated with latex paint. As the latex paint dried, it bubbled in many places. A few weeks later, he sanded down the bubbles, and primed with a good oil-based primer. The paint bubbled immediately after the oil-based primer was applied. We don't know what to try next! The walls are plaster. Any ideas?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (2)

paintguy22
18 years ago
The reason bubbles form is because those areas are not adhered. Those bubbles need to be cut out, not sanded. It's probably one of the paint layers behind the decorative finish that is suspect. Use a utility knife to cut out the bubbles down to a sound surface, then sand those areas before priming. Then patch, sand and paint.
katco
Original Author
18 years ago
Thank you for your help, Paintguy! I'll pass along the info to my painter. The bubbles are so pervasive that he might have to strip (rather than cut away) the entire wall down to the sound surface.
Related Professionals
Boston Interior Designers & Decorators · Saint Marys Interior Designers & Decorators · Flint Bathroom Remodelers · Muskegon Bathroom Remodelers · Marinette Bathroom Remodelers · Durango Bathroom Remodelers · Amherstburg Bathroom Remodelers · Tuscaloosa Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Morgan City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Starkville Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Kearney Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Youngstown Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Monroe Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · North Platte Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Coos Bay Kitchen & Bathroom Designers

Related Stories

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Create a Whole-House Color Palette

By Laura Gaskill

Don't be daunted. With these strategies, building a cohesive palette for your entire home is less difficult than it seems

HOUZZ TOURS My Houzz: Saturated Colors Help a 1920s Fixer-Upper Flourish

By Mad Mod Home

Bright paint and cheerful patterns give this Spanish-style Los Angeles home a thriving new personality

Bubble Design Celebrates Fun

By Shawn Gauthier

Add Some Fun to Your Space With a Bubbly Light, Pool, Chair or Wall

BATHROOM WORKBOOK Standard Dimensions and Measurements for a Primary Bath

By Steven Corley Randel, Architect

Create a luxe bathroom that functions well with these key fixture dimensions and layout tips

HOUSEKEEPING Three More Magic Words to Help the Housekeeping Get Done

By Alison Hodgson

As a follow-up to "How about now?" these three words can help you check more chores off your list

UNIVERSAL DESIGN My Houzz: Universal Design Helps an 8-Year-Old Feel at Home

By Becki Peckham

An innovative sensory room, wide doors and hallways, and other thoughtful design moves make this Canadian home work for the whole family

SMALL HOMES Room of the Day: Living-Dining Room Redo Helps a Client Begin to Heal

By Becky Harris

After a tragic loss, a woman sets out on the road to recovery by improving her condo

EXTERIORS Help! What Color Should I Paint My House Exterior?

By Jennifer Ott Design

Real homeowners get real help in choosing paint palettes. Bonus: 3 tips for everyone on picking exterior colors

PAINTING Help! I Spilled Paint on My Clothes — Now What?

By Jennifer Ott Design

If you’ve spattered paint on your favorite jeans, here’s what to do next

COLOR Pick-a-Paint Help: How to Quit Procrastinating on Color Choice

By Laura Gaskill

If you're up to your ears in paint chips but no further to pinning down a hue, our new 3-part series is for you

Sponsored

More Discussions

Help with my ceiling recessed color

12

Paint color a little less pink than BM Fairway Oaks

15

Painting Hipped Vaulted Ceiling

8

garage side door help

8

living room I would love to update but keep existing furniture

10