Bubbles in paint

[edbulmer]

I just painted a wooden shelf with a good marine poly paint, and all I got were pretty well bubbles.

[JPA Cate]

Is the primer you used compatible with the paint, for sure?

Ann

[edbulmer]

I was painting over the same paint I used last time. No primer, just a light sanding

[Delancey]

Maybe the surface was contaminated? Suggest you wipe down with a solvent soaked rag prior to painting, in addition to the light sanding.

Of course at this point you'll have to sand off everything you just put down.

[SimonV]

Sounds like the shelf may have been wiped down with a silicone covered cloth at some point.

[Delancey]

Well, that would be a contaminant wouldn't it? Or it could be some kind of oil, grease, sun tanning lotion, bug spray, or about a dozen other contaminates.

[edbulmer]

Will sand and apply solvent, great idea, my saviours!