Paint Blisters

Paint blisters are bubbles which occur on a painted or other finished surfaces. Paint blisters most often occur with Acrylic and Latex paint finishes, though they can also occur with oil based paints.

Causes of Paint Blisters

Paint blisters most often happen within a day or so of applying a new coat of paint. The common cause of paint blisters is a separation between paint layers. Blisters are also called bubbles. Blisters can occur either indoors or out, though temperature and high outdoor heat, especially direct sunlight, are a very more common cause.

Therefore, it is never advisable to paint an outside surface when it is hot to the touch. Houses in summer will often be too hot to paint. It is best to paint the side which will be in the shade for the rest of the day. Also, you should never paint a surface which is wet, which can also cause blisters to arise.

Using Paint Conditioners to Prevent Blisters

Paint conditioners can slow down the drying time of paints when using them in hot weather. Flotrol, for water base paints, or Penitrol, for oil base paint, are the most commonly used conditioners and are both excellent products.