Why Is My Cabinet Paint Bubbling? 5 Causes

Bubbling paint is annoying to deal with, especially when it’s on the cabinets. Every time you open the cupboard or cabinet, you have to look at the bubbled, blistered paint. However, there are several tips you can apply to prevent or fix your rippled cabinet paint.

Your cabinet paint is bubbling because the paint got too hot, the surface material was wet when you applied the paint, or you used too many layers of latex paint. Additional causes of bubbly cabinet paint include dripping paint and porous wood.

Bubbling cabinet paint looks bad, but it also causes long-term damage to the paint. I’ve instantly blistered and bubbled my cabinets and cupboards by using a blow dryer too close. However, high-quality paint often prevents these issues.

What Causes Cabinet Paint to Bubble?

Cabinet paint bubbles, ripples, and blisters, when there’s too much heat or moisture. While there are many ways to get rid of cabinet paint bubbles, they’re frustrating to deal with. My best advice is to keep all heat sources at least 18 to 24 inches away from your cabinets to prevent paint problems.

Here are the five things that can make your cabinet paint bubble:

Too Much Heat

Heat can loosen and bubble the paint on almost any cabinet or cupboard. This Old House shows heat and humidity can ruin new paint, especially new latex paint. Latex isn’t very heat-resistant, so it’s no surprise that latex paint reacts poorly to heat.

Excessive Moisture

Applying paint to wet cabinets will more than likely cause ripples. Most paint needs to be applied to dry cabinets. A thin layer of water makes it difficult for the paint to dry on wood or metal. Your cabinets will end up with bubbles wherever there’s too much moisture.

Sticky Paint

Sticky latex paint has a much higher chance of bubbling, especially if it’s a generic brand. Latex can make your door paint stick, bubble your cabinet paint, and more. If you choose latex paint, there are many topcoats that will prevent excessive stickiness and bubbles.

Too Many Paint Layers

Applying too much paint at one time can cause bubbles and drips. Don’t add more layers than necessary. Only paint between one to three layers on your cabinets to avoid bubbles in the paint. Wait until the bottom layer dries before adding another coat of paint.

Damaged Cabinets

Porous, breathable wood can form bubbles under the paint. Try not to paint your cabinets if there are cracks and other damage that let air beneath the bottom paint layer. As air flows through the cracks, it will eventually loosen and ripple the paint.

Choosing top-shelf paint will prevent it from bubbling on your cabinets. Try the Rust-Oleum Paint to coat your cabinets, cupboards, drawers, and doors. It prevents corrosion, and it’s also thin enough to stop it from bubbling, regardless of the surface. It comes in 6 colors to match your interior.

Another thing to remember is that acclimating your cabinets will prevent them from bubbling when they’re painted.

How Do You Fix Bubbles on Painted Cabinets?

You can fix bubbles on painted cabinets with these instructions:

1. Clean the cabinet paint with an all-purpose cleaning solution. I only use one spray to clean the bubbly paint. Too much cleaning liquid can damage the surrounding paint, causing it to chip and ripple. Use a soft sponge or cloth (never use abrasive materials because they can rip the cabinet’s paint).
2. Cut the bubble away from the paint around the edges. Try not to remove any of the unaffected paint. Instead, cut the center of the bubble, then work your way outward until you have the whole bubble removed. A little bit of leftover paint can be removed in the next step.
3. Sand the edges of the removed paint. I prefer using a thin sheet of sandpaper and removing it by hand. Using power sanders can remove too much paint. It can also grind down some of the wood from the cabinet, leaving divots all over.
4. Add a new layer of paint over the sanded area. Don’t paint anything other than the sanded space on the cabinet where the bubble was. Let it dry thoroughly. If the cabinet looks great, you don’t need to worry about the fifth step.
5. Paint the whole cabinet with another layer to make it look uniform. Adding a topcoat ensures your cabinet doesn’t look like it has a bunch of round patches where the bubbles were. However, some paints seal perfectly, allowing the cabinets to look fine without an additional layer.

How to Prevent Cupboard Paint from Bubbling

To prevent cupboard paint from bubbling, try these suggestions:

• Keep your cabinets away from humidity. If you live in a humid climate, consider placing a dehumidifier in or around your kitchen. The humidity should measure between 35% to 45% to promote comfort and prevent bubbling paint.
• Don’t use anything hot near the cabinets, including steaming kettles, cookware, microwaves, space heaters, and so on. While some of these possibilities are unavoidable, you can wipe the steam and condensation off of the cabinets to stop it from soaking in.
• Unique Painting KC recommends priming the cabinets before painting them to dry the surface. Primer is often used to prevent the material’s color from showing through the paint. However, many primers also dry the surface, allowing you to effectively paint the cabinets and cupboards.
• Let every layer of paint dry completely before adding another layer. If the paint is only partially dry, it’ll smear around and cause bumps and bubbles. It should be dry to the touch before adding another coat or using the cabinet.

While some of these preventative tips aren’t always practical, there are more than enough ways to keep your cabinet paint from bubbling. Review these suggestions:

• Close your blinds or curtains to keep direct sunlight off of the cabinet paint.
• Use your hygrometer to maintain your home’s humidity and keep the paint in good condition.
• Don’t use any heat sources within 1.5′ to 2′ from the painted cabinets, if possible.
• Remove and repair cabinet paint bubbles before they develop and worsen.