How do I fix a painted wall that has bubbles all over it?

8 years ago

Hello,

We have a small bathroom that needs painting from black to a much lighter cream colour. The problem is that the landlord originally painted the walls with a foam roller that was cleaned with dish washing liquid soap. When she wiped down the walls with water recently it brought out bubbles in the paint, and now there are also streak marks everywhere.

We want to clean up the wall before we paint. Based on the landlord's experience I think cleaning with water would be a bad idea. Does anybody have any other ideas about what we can use? Would prefer to not use mineral spirits or paint thinner.

Thanks in advance.

Featured Answer

paintguy22

8 years ago

If moisture is causing the paint to bubble, that means that the paint is not adhered there. Adding layers of paint will also cause bubbling. The areas need to be scraped and patched before you can paint or it will always be an ongoing problem. You need to get down to a sound layer.

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Comments (7)

PRO
JAN MOYER
8 years ago
last modified: 8 years ago
I think you are going to need Kilz ( stain blocking) for all the walls in that bathroom. I wouldn't worry about washing them. The primer is the important part. I would also ask how recently she painted, as it sounds like the paint never really dried, and the streaks are from steam running down a dark wall.

Take some sandpaper FIRST to all bubbled area. I doubt that is soap.
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PRO
Ellsworth Design Build
8 years ago
Yes I would be more suspicious that there is a layer of latex paint over a previous glossy layer and they aren’t bonded to each other. If that is true the black needs to come off, the wall then needs to be deglossed and then primed.
Faron79
8 years ago
As PG22 said!

If there is in fact a little soap IN the existing paint film......ITS GOTTA GO!

Nothing you do now on top of that contaminated paint layer will adhere....for long. ESPECIALLY with a more humid environment like that!!!!

It's probably gonna be an ugly job, I wish I could say otherwise!!! Once layer(s) are removed... 1) Rinse off lightly any sanding dust. 2) Patch & repair/retexturing if needed. 3) Use Zinssers 123 primer. A good/full even coat!! Buy NEW, good quality roller-covers, 3/8" nap. 4) Buy QUALITY paint in a Satin or higher sheen. Apply TWO full coats.

>>>> If possible....let the new paint dry out a day or two before a ton of steam hits it.

Faron
PRO
Christopher Nelson Wallcovering and Painting
8 years ago
Buy NEW, good quality roller-covers, 3/8" nap. Personally I would use 1/2"
graywings123
8 years ago
I think the soap in the roller is a red herring. There may be a reason the paint is bubbling, but I don't think it has anything to do with the roller not having been rinsed properly.
paintguy22
8 years ago
That's true! The paint just isn't adhered, which usually happens in bathrooms when people don't do the proper prep before painting. It probably has nothing to do with the soap.