Paint Problem

I am experiencing severe number of small paint bubbles/blisters when applying the second coat of paint on a ceiling. It is most noticeable around the edges. This is a new drywall ceiling in a utility room. The primer/sealer and 1st coat of paint went on without issue. The paint states it can be recoated in 4 hours. I allowed to dry overnight (15 hrs) before attempting 2nd coat. When I noticed the blistering I stopped and allowed it to dry an additional 2 days. Still see alot of bubbles/blisters so stopped again. During this entire time I have had fans circulating air. I live in southern Arizona so it is very dry and the room temp has been maintained between 68 and 72. The paint is BEHR ceiling paint. I have used this paint quite often in the past without issue. I have never before experienced this with any of my numerous projects on this, or any house I have worked on. Any ideas why this occurred? And, more importantly how do I fix it? Do I just let it dry longer, and if so how long?
ANY help would be appreciated.
Thank you

 

Often the bubbles occur if the paint was mixed too vigorously and/or the underlying paint hasn't had enough time to dry. It sure sounds as if the previous coats had plenty of time to dry. Sometimes thinning the paint a little will help. Often the bubbles will disappear when the paint dries. When they don't, you'd need to sand the paint and fill any divots before applying another coat of paint.

Just reread your post, if the bubbles are primarily around the edges - could it be where the paint is double coated [brushed and rolled]? You might need to either give the cut in longer to dry or apply the rolled coat sooner.

 

I had problems with microbubbles when I was redoing our bathroom ceiling. Not just at the edges though, throughout the field of fresh drywall. I was using Zinsser permawhite. Took the gallon back to the store and got a new one, let it settle overnight. Sanded, repainted and got the same thing. Spent a half hour on the phone with a rep, got nowhere.

Changed product to BM K/B satin. Two coats. Still looks beautiful.

 

Well, it appears I have to do something to fix this issue. Is there any way to fix this other than sanding the ceiling down, retexturing, and repriming and painting? I thought about letting it dry longer and applying another, perhaps heavier, coat to try and fill the voids. Knowing the prep work I did and the dry times beyween each step, I am still confused as to why this happened. I tried the paint in another room that had been previously painted and I had just cleaned and reprimed. I experienced the same problem with the second coat.
Appreciate any feedback. Thanks

 

I would recommend different paint. While I've never used it and therefore cannot comment based on personal experience, I have noticed over the years that more people complaining about bad paint on this forum have used that brand than any other.

Better advice and supplies tend to be available in paint stores than in paint departments.

 

I agree with going to a different paint. Even though I have used this brand successfully for many, many years. Can I just topcoat with a different paint after this "stuff" dries for while longer, or do I have to sand and redo the entire ceiling again? I'm getting desperate as this room is for my hot water heater, washer, and dryer, as well as storage. All this is now sitting in my living room. What is the best, yet quickest fix? Do you recommend a paint?
Thanks again

 

Even cheap paint shouldn't have this issue but if it's doing the same thing in another location it just about has to be the paint. Just applying another coat of a different paint may not be enough to fix the issue. While paint can fill in some things - that's not really what it's designed to do. Without having the luxury of being there to inspect it, I'd just about have to say you need to sand and/or fill the divots before you can be guaranteed a good looking job. The only bright side is this a utility room so no one is going to say a lot if it isn't perfect.

As far as what paint to use, most any paint store's mid grade paint or better should work satisfactory. Stay away from the paint dept in a bigger store.

 

I'm going to try painting over first. Thought I would try thinning the paint with water or ??? as this worked well before with popcorn ceilings. If it doesn't work, then, as much as I hate the idea, I will sand and start over with a differnet paint.
Now I'm wondering what to do in the other 2 rooms I have just put new drywall in. Don't want ot have to do these 2 or 3 times also. Would like to finish this house someday. I've already put in more time than it usually takes me to do 2 houses.
Thanks again, and any further suggestions or ideas would be most welcomed as this is new territory for me.

 

Personally, I use Benjamin Moore paints. Mark uses Sherwin Williams. Go with either in mid grade or better (I won't use anyone's low end paint) and you've pretty much done what you can for the quality of the product.

You could try a little clear water in the paint you have currently but I wouldn't use much.

 

Generally paint can be thinned up to 10%
Remember you can always add more water but you can't take it away if you add too much.

 

Just wanted to let everyong know we determined the cause of my ceiling blistering, bubbling, cratering, etc. I bought a new piece of drywall and textured it identical to the ceiling. Then I primed using the same Kilz Premium. I then painted 1/2 with the Behr ceiling paint I had used. The other 1/2 I painted with a competitors. The Behr side showed the same issues I had with my ceiling, while the other side looked great. I also noted that the Behr paint had bubbles in the paint even before stirring and no matter how long you let it sit. The other paint did not show hardly any bubbbles. I am now convinced it was the paint all along. However, I am not at this time going to redo my ceiling. As it is a utility room I am going finish as is, except I am not going to use Behr paint for my walls. Perhaps when I finish the rest of the house I may come back and redo the ceiling. Time will tell. Thanks again for all the help

 

It's entirely possible hardly anyone other than you [and us ] will notice the bubbles in the finish.
Any particular reason you are using Kilz for a primer? There are better primers out there for new drywall.

 

I've used it before quite successfully and although I had considered something else for the new drywall. I wasn't sure what Home Depot had that was better, as
they recommended the Kilz Premium and I really didn't want to drive the 75 miles to the next nearest paint store. I am seriously looking at alternatives for the remainder of the house where I installed new drywall. Any recommendations would be appreicated. Also, I have noticed hairline cracking in sections of the wall to ceiling joint. Any ideas as to why? Did not see any of this after priming and am quite sure my corner taping was done properly.

 

I rarely go to HD and I'm not real familiar with their paint dept but they probably also sell Zinnser primers. Zinnser has several primers that are suitable for new drywall.

Is it possible your j/c wasn't totally dry before the primer was applied? It could also be related to the top coat that you've had issues with. Probably not worth fooling with but it might be a good idea to keep an eye on it. Assuming it's only cosmetic it shouldn't get any worse.

 

Zinnser is the only brand of primer I use.