Bubbling is when a painted surface that has dried looks like it has small bumps and indents that look like craters. These bumps and craters are caused by air bubbles getting trapped in the paint. A trapped bubble will create a bump, and a bubble that pops as the paint is drying will create a small indent that looks like a crater. Bubbling can happen to interior and exterior paint.
There are several causes of bubbling. Shaking a can of paint that is only partially full or mixing a can of paint at too high of a speed can put a lot of air bubbles in the paint and make bubbling more likely. If paint is applied too quickly to a surface or a roller or paint brush goes over the same spot of a surface too many times, more air bubbles can get trapped in the paint. Using paint with a semi-gloss or gloss sheen on a surface that is unsealed or porous can also cause bubbling.
The easiest way to fix this issue is to avoid the causes of bubbling. This can include:
- Stirring paint slowly, especially if the can is only partially full.
- Checking to see if it looks like a lot of air bubbles are trapped as you apply the paint. If this is the case, go slower when applying the paint.
- Using primer on a porous surface.
- Ensuring the paint dries completely before you apply the next coat if you are applying multiple coats of paint to the surface.
If the paint has dried and you notice bubbling, there isn’t an instant fix to the issue. The best solution is to let the surface dry completely, and then sand the paint so the surface is flat. Once you have a flat surface, you can repaint.
JMJ Painters can help you fix bubbling or avoid it in your next painting project. To learn more about how we can help, you can schedule a free estimate online or call us at (612) 255-3351.