Owning a vintage car, you might wonder about what exactly paint bubbling is and what the causes behind it are. Car paint bubbling is one of the complaints that is leveled at all car paint suppliers and auto body shops. It is one of the toughest and most challenging issues to explain to the body shop. So, if you do not know much about paint bubbling and want to know in detail about it, then this will guide you along the way.
In this post, we will discuss everything about car paint bubbling and its related aspects like causes, preventions, and much more.
What is Paint Bubbling?
Paint bubbling is another name for paint blistering. A blister is generally a pocket of fluid that congregates between the dried paint. This can further expand and form into bubbles or blisters and break open, leaving holes, marks, and damaged paint surfaces. Paint bubbling can happen shortly after paint or even in the longer term.
When we talk about car paint bubbles, they are of various kinds, namely:
Tiny Bubbles
Tiny bubbles are the bubbles that are uniform across the panel. These bubbles are caused due to the presence of moisture in the painting process. Painting a car with too much humidity in the airlines will cause tiny bubbles formation. Unluckily, the repair for such kind of paint bubbling is to refinish the panel.
But first it is important to understand what causes it:
What Causes Bubbling in Car Paint?
The most common causes of car paint bubbling are:
- There is moisture or debris on the painting surface before the paint is applied
- The surface is too hot when the paint is applied
- The paint endures too much humidity or rain
- Moisture gets under the paint because the paint is scratched
- The paint is so old that it starts deteriorating
Here is a breakdown of how these factors cause bubbling in car paint.
Contaminated Painting Surface
If there is any solid debris or moisture on the surface of the car’s exterior when the paint is applied, it gets painted over. This leaves tiny little pockets of air or moisture beneath the paint. For this reason, your car’s paint should always be applied by a professional.
These pockets expand and contract with changes in the weather. The effect is worse when moisture is trapped under the paint.
Hot Car Panel Painting Surface
Painting a surface that is too hot causes the paint to warp as it dries. Or, the paint might dry too quickly to adhere properly to the car’s surface. With the passage of time and changes in the weather, the condition worsens, as described above.
To prevent this, do not paint your car in very hot weather. Nor should you apply paint in direct sunlight.
Too Much Moisture
Sometimes moisture gets trapped under the paint because there is too much moisture in the paint mixture or air lines. Other times, the coat of paint is exposed to lots of moisture when it is still very fresh. This causes the paint to warp before it is fully settled on your car’s exterior.
Also, the paint deteriorates faster on cars that are kept outside in humid, rainy, or snowy locations. Eventually, this deterioration will cause the paint to start chipping away
Paint Age/Wear
Even when you park your car indoors and live in a very dry location, your car’s paint will not last forever. Gradually, the paint gets weaker and weaker until it starts bubbling, peeling, and chipping. This is known as delamination.
Solvent Pop
Solvent pop condition is caused due to the application of a clear coat. In short, when a painter applies too much paint too fast, then the condition of solvent pop can arise. The way it looks is not much like car paint bubbles, but they resemble tiny pinholes on the surface. The hasty application results in very small holes that let moisture in, causing bubbling. These are known as solvent pop bubbles.
Car Paint Delamination
Under car paint delamination, the car paint starts to break down as it gets older, due to exposure to the sun. As the top later breaks down, it will begin to lose its ability to protect and guard the base color. This condition starts with small bubbles and moves to peeling at the end. You can solve this issue only by stripping it off and getting it refinished.
DIY vs Professional Car Paint Repair
Car paint repair is usually something that should be left to the professionals. In the best-case scenario, DIY solutions come with a lot of risk and a bit of a learning curve and there is a chance that your meddling will make the problem worse.
How to Fix Bubbling Paint on Your Car
Now, you might not be able to tell the cause of your paint bubbles just by looking. But you can still use the information above to prevent paint bubbling in the future. In any case, here are some solutions based on the type of paint bubbles that you do see on in your car’s paint.
Bubbling on Panels and Car Hood
If the bubbling is on the hood or panels of the car, you will have to completely refinish and repaint the affected panels.
Car Paint Bubbling on Very Old Paint
Obviously, if the paint is so old that it is going to pieces, it cannot be fixed or painted over. Again, you will have to refinish and repaint the car in this case.
Paint Bubbles and Rust
As we have discussed in previous posts rust happens when moisture is trapped against the car’s surface, below the paint, for a long time. It cannot be painted over, or the new paint coat will peel. You will have to thoroughly sand the rust away and then add a fresh coat of paint.
Very Large Paint Bubbles
Very large bubbles in your car’s paint usually indicate that the paint surface was not properly prepared before painting. You may be able to fix it with a patch paint repair kit.
But, since there might be rust or moisture beneath the surface, it is best to sand down the area and repaint it. Check with a car paint repair professional to find out for sure.
Solvent Pop Bubbles
Luckily solvent pop bubbles are not a severe issue. You should be able to gently sand them down and buff them out. Watch some professional videos before attempting this on your own.
Why Does Car Paint Bubble? Fade? Crack? How to Prevent or Avoid?
If you are like me, and you want to keep your car looking its shiny showroom best, then you need to watch out for everyday things that can blemish your classic car’s paint job. From the sun to bird droppings, there are many innocent daily things that can leave you with a cracked, faded, and bubbling car paint job. As a car owner, you must know what eats paint off a car. This will help you keep the car looking new, which will also boost its resale value should you decide to sell it at some point.
Finally
Discovering paint bubbles in your car paint can be annoying. There are several causes of car paint bubbling. It may occur due to how the painting process was handled, or it can be part of wear and tear. Car paint bubbling is actually one of the most common complaints leveled at car paint suppliers. It is also one of the toughest problems to explain to the autobody shop.
Thanks for sharing this informative post about car paint bubbling, Bob! It’s crucial for vintage car owners like myself to understand these issues to ensure proper care and maintenance. Paint bubbling can indeed be quite frustrating and challenging to address. Learning about the causes and preventive measures can certainly help in preserving the beauty and integrity of our beloved vehicles. Looking forward to reading more about the solutions you’ll be discussing!