Why does car paint bubble after a little over a year?
2 Answers
The reasons for bubbling are as follows: Paint viscosity is too high: applying a thick coat at once, insufficient filling of pores containing air, especially on porous substrates without a sealing primer; Excessive air pressure during spraying: too much air mixed into the paint; Presence of moisture: oil, dust, sweat, etc., on the surface to be painted, with moisture accumulating around these impurities; Excessive temperature difference: significant difference between the temperature of the paint and the surface to be painted; Improper use of thinner: excessive addition of hardener; High humidity: excessively high temperature or relative humidity in the painting environment; Other reasons: when using heat to dry the coating, the temperature is too high, insufficient standing time before heating the coating, incomplete solvent evaporation, bubbles introduced by the paint itself, bubbles generated during stirring not eliminated, etc.
My car's paint started bubbling just over a year after the repaint, which really puzzled me. I figured it must have been due to improper surface cleaning before painting. If there's dust or grease on the car body, the new paint won't adhere properly and will eventually bubble. Maybe the repair shop cut corners by using low-quality paint, or the painting environment was too humid, allowing moisture to seep in. I remember mine was painted during summer and parked outdoors daily - rainy cities are prone to this issue. Later inspection even revealed some roof rust, with corrosion causing the bubbles to spread. I suggest you visit a professional paint shop soon. Small issues become big problems if neglected - repainting now won't cost much, but delayed repairs when entire sections peel off will be far more expensive. Always choose certified shops, never compromise quality for cheap roadside stalls - inferior work brings endless trouble.
