Little tiny bubbles under 1.5 yr old Interlux Brightside

[akintosyali]

I applied Interlux brighside paint to the T last spring. Sanded off the old paint, waited for the right temp no wind and low humidity day, watered around the the boat at the yard to prevent any dust, then applied 2 coats of primers and then 2 coats of interlux brightside.

About a month ago I started seeing these little micro bubles sticking out of the paint. I originally saw them on the cabin top. I thought they were a small imperfection in a small area. But over time, I started seeing these bubles everywhere, the transom, the bow, top, sides, everywhere..

Now I am mad. It took so much time and effort that I can't believe I may have to do it all over again...

Does anyone know the cause of these bubbles? Could it be bad paint?? Is it time to re-paint in 2 years???

[Boatsb]

Looks like the paint is separating. Could there be water in the glass? What primer? What filler? What paint?

[rrrestorer]

A picture would really help. What do you mean by "micro bubbles"? What you are describing "normally" happens right when you paint it. Make sure that there isnt something on top of the paint. Wet sand a small area. I have been fooled in the past into thinking that there is something wrong with paint, when the actual problem was something on top of the paint. Sap or overspray perhaps? Delamination is usually large areas , half dollar and larger areas, microbubbles just dont happen to cured paint.
Sand a small area and you will know for sure.--------Pete

[Brian Degulis]

It's very un likely to be bad paint. If you pop them is it wet or dry underneath?

Brian

[yachtsmanbill]

I left the cushions on my bow seat last winter and they were soaked. In the spring there was a million half pea sized blisters and when you popped them, they stunk to high heaven !! I was surprised as this is Awlgrip (supposedly).
I say sand it down and lets paint BOTH boats in the spring! You sand, and I'll paint; DEAL??? ws

[TedZ]

Open air bubbles after a year are primer - paint incompatability or improper mixing - catalysing, bad thinner etc.

Bubbles under seat cushions are blisters. Under dark, moist conditions you get blisters easily. Place the cushions on two layers of bilge diapers cut to the propper width if necessary. That will solve the problem. Has nothing to do with the Awlgrip...is under the paint and primer.

Ted

[Brian Degulis]

I left the cushions on my bow seat last winter and they were soaked. In the spring there was a million half pea sized blisters and when you popped them, they stunk to high heaven !! I was surprised as this is Awlgrip (supposedly).
I say sand it down and lets paint BOTH boats in the spring! You sand, and I'll paint; DEAL??? ws

Awlgrip will always do that if anything at all is kept up against it. I saw an awlgrip job ruined by shrink wrapping.

Brian

[Pete]

BTW, Imron will react the same if anything acting as a vapor barrier is held against it for a while.

Pete

[George]

agreed, moisture, but how it became so expansive is beyond comprehension.

[dastahl]

I would guess the moisture from sraying down the dust. No wind? Thats a possibility.

Another may be the primer. Some folks use chromate primers on fiberglass. These primers contain various chromates to fight corrosion on metals like steel and aluminum. Zinc chromate for steel and molibdium for aluminum (I bet these are not spelled right) If these are used on plastic they simply react with the salt water moisture and make salt bublbles. You should use an epoxy talc based primer or no primer for fiberglass.

Next why would ever do two coats of primer on fiberglass? You do not need to increase the base as fiberglass is already plastic, you only need to make sure its smooth and add a prime coat for adhesion. Thats why they use regualr epoxy paints as primers on fiberglass. you certainly would not need film build. The film build would be for the topcoat which over the year will wear down.

Skooch
42 LRC 1980