Why Is My Spray Paint Bubbling?

If you have used spray paint at some time for your home interior or exterior projects, you may have noticed some frustrating bubbles developing in the fresh layer on the painted surface!

Several reasons may be causing the bubbles in spray paint before or after use – when the coating is too thick or subjected to very cold or extremely hot temperatures. Bubbles appear beneath the surface when the paint’s exterior layer dries quicker than the inner layer by evaporating.

Keep reading this article to learn about what else may be causing the bubbles in the spray paints and how to easily fix them. This will help you avoid making assumptions as you search for a solution.

Why Is My Spray Paint Bubbling?

Your spray paint will bubble if the paint is sprayed in an excessively thick layer or if there is excessive moisture in the air. A layer of dirt that has been allowed to linger on the surface may also be blamed for spray paint that bubbles up. Many factors might cause bubbles to form in spray paint, as you will see in the following paragraphs of this article.

After spraying, the most common problems with paint are air bubbles and blistering, and other difficulties may also arise. When painting, you should constantly seek methods to accomplish a job quickly.

What May Be Causing the Bubbling in Spray Paint?

There are a few potential explanations for bubbles with spray paint, particularly when you want to work with metal. The quality of the spray paint is a crucial factor to consider. Below are some of the potential reasons for spray paint bubbles.

It Can Be Too Wet Outside

Here, the paint needs to dry longer on the first coat. So, if you start putting on a second coat before the first one has enough time to dry, it will bubble. Even if you’re spraying in your garage, the humidity there is similar to what it is outside.

Too Cold Outside

Metals will maintain a colder temperature for longer, but wood will warm up more rapidly. Hence, when it is really cold outside, keeping the outside environment’s temperature between 50- and 90 degrees Fahrenheit is necessary to prevent bubbles from forming in the metal spray paint you are using. So it may need to be warmer or in more intense sunlight.

The Paint Didn’t Dry Properly

After spray painting anything for a little more than ten minutes, if you don’t wait for the paint to dry completely before applying the second coat of spray paint, you increase the likelihood that bubbles will form in the paint. The object you will paint needs to be clean and very dry to make a nice smooth finish!

When Spray Paint Bubbles?

Spray paint that has been done correctly should be smooth and beautiful, not covered with little bumps. A hasty job or incorrect surface cleaning may also result in lumps on the surface. It is often possible to save a paint job by simply repairing the bubbles rather than repainting the entire vehicle from scratch.

Imagine you finally finished painting the room, and it starts to bubble the next day. This shows that not enough work was done to get ready before painting, which led to a mistake that made the paint bubble the next day. You could find a way to connect these things to your work, and here is where you will find the answer.

1. The area was covered with dirt.
2. The paint may be cracked or faded.
3. Poorly formulated paints are used.
4. Painting with the door and window open or in direct sunshine.
5. The base coat was not completely dry when I applied it.
6. Between the two applications, the surface was uneven.
7. Overlaid oil-based paint on top of latex

How Do You Fix Spray Paint Bubbles?

Spray paint bubbles may be fixed in five simple steps.

Step 1: Clean and dry the affected area

Before spray painting, thoroughly dry and clean the metal surface to be coated. While spray-painting over a wet metal surface, water vaporization may result in some bubbles in the paint.

Step 2: Avoid heated days

Be aware of the dangers of working in direct sunlight or heated areas. The quick drying of the outer surface is a result of external heat. Because the outer layer is drying out before the layers underneath, bubbles will form on the surface.

Paint in a cool but not too windy place, and keep painted objects out of direct sunshine until they are completely dry.

Step 3: Paint in uniform, thin layers

Apply the paint evenly and thinly. Bubbles may form when solvents from the layers underneath the thick coating try to escape through it in a rush.

Step 4: Allow the Spray paint to fully dry before moving on to the next step

Let enough dry time for the spray paint. If you apply a second coat of paint on top of a freshly sprayed layer of paint, you may see bubbles.

Step 5: Use a Sandpaper

A simple sanding on the painted surface may help if your paint has begun to bubble. Use 220 grit sandpaper to remove it, then a dry, clean towel before reapplying.

Alternatively, you may remove all the paint, but this is time-consuming and requires work.

Is It Okay to Pop the Paint Bubbles?

Popping paint bubbles is not recommended. Scrape the bubble area with a putty knife if you observe any bubbles.

What Causes Bubbles Upon the Second Application of Spray Paint?

Applying the base or main coat and drying time is often the cause of this problem. The second layer will be uneven if the base coat is applied too heavily. Again, the base coat must be clean and dry before applying a second layer.

Blisters occur in the paint as it dries due to the solvents in the paint contracting when they are subjected to direct sunlight or an excessive amount of moisture. As a direct consequence, the spray paint used for the second coat bubbles.

• Tip: Instead of using paint remover, you may use sandpaper to remove the bubbled paint from smaller surface areas; sandpaper is more efficient.
• Warning: Paint remover is hazardous, and you should avoid getting it on your face at all costs. Always ensure there is enough ventilation where you are using it, and keep it out of the reach of minors.

Final Thoughts

Because removing paint is not the simplest exercise, many people choose to paint over an existing layer of paint rather than removing the previous one. However, to view the surface below the paint or apply a fresh coat of paint and even on the surface, it is essential first to remove the old paint. The removal of paint involves many steps, and it is essential to pay close attention to the specifics of each phase.

Therefore, ensure that you take the appropriate measures and paint each step with extreme care to avoid creating air bubbles. If you believe you can cure the bubbles in the spray paint or repaint it, you should try it. You should contact a professional to get it mended as quickly as possible in such a case.