Need help, bubbling after applying paint

[gannikus]

hey guys I just primed a few of my arc reactors and when I did a test run, this is what came out (bubbling and it's my first time painting) I wish I was as experienced as you guys

So it was about 55-60 outside when I tried it. I primed my piece and then waited about 20 mins before I painted it with the metallic finish. An hour later, it came out like this

and

Here's a bunch of my other random pieces that I am planning to paint (the one with the holes is a practice piece so it doesn't happen again)

Was it the temperature that caused this? What do I do with that one piece now? Do I just sand it till EVERYTHING is gone? or do I just sand it till the bubbles are gone and then repaint it with the metallic finish without primer?

 

[SOLARiS]

More than likely the solvents in the primer were not evaporated due to the temperature. I like to give my primed pieces at least two or three days of dry time when using a spray can. Make sure that everything you're using is of the same brand. Also when unfamiliar with compatibility of paints do a sample piece before spring on your finished part.

 

[acesh007]

Did you wash all the pieces prior to painting? Sometimes some dish soap and warm water will clean off the mold release. Also make sure the paints are compatible; example is enamel and acrylic paints will do this and crack.

 

[zihyer]

That looks less like bubbling and more like fisheyeing. Fish eye typically happens when latex paints lay down on a surface with contaminants on them. Contaminant - based fish eying are almost always oil/water - based reactions. One example would be a latex paint being laid down on a surface with some oil based contaminant on it such as body oil (fingers) or some other chemical. In this scenario, the contaminants will 'float' up to the surface and break the surface tension of the paint creating the little crater. Contaminants can come in the form of oil, moisture, airborne particles falling/blowing in from vegetation, scalp flakes, dust or dirt, pet dander, etc etc...

Also be mindful of what paint you're using to begin with. It's going to fall under either oil based or water based. Oil based paints are usually marketed as "enamels" but not always. Main point to remember here is to keep your primer and paint the same "base". That being said, you may be able to successfully lay oil -based paint over a latex primer. I've done it and it can work, however, it becomes more important to make sure that all the solvent has evaporated in the primer coat or you end up with a scenario like Solaris described.

So, going forward, I would say don't handle your part between paint and primer. Hang it, or mount it somehow so you don't have to pick it up at all. Make sure your primer and paint are both oil or water based. Paint in a well - ventilated shop area or outside only if it's not windy at all.

For your particular part, you might not have to sand all the way down to the base material. If both your layers (primer/paint) are the same base (oil or acrylic/latex), sand down past the fish-eye so it's a smooth surface and then re-prime and paint with the aforementioned tips in mind.