Kilz Primer - Blistering And Bubbles

Wild Blue

Good evening. I have a question as far as using the kilz primer. We applied Kilz primer to an exterior aluminum tailer as suggested. It was totally cleaned (pressure washed 2 days prior to application). We sprayed an even coat and even 2 coats in some areas to the clean and dry aluminum. When we came back to the job the next morning, where the kilz primer was applied, the surface was all bubbled and blistered. What would cause this? It was a mess and needed sanding. the surface was entirely dry upon application.

Another question - In some areas we sanded then applied the regular top coat of paint, it still blistered and bubbled on the 2nd morning.

Thank you for your rapid response.

Teetorbilt

Sorry that I can't help with your problem. On aluminum, I have always used a zinc-chromate primer following proper prep work.

IMHO aluminum is a headache to be avoided. I can elaborate.

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ProWallGuy

Whoever suggested using Kilz to prime aluminum was a knucklehead.
I assume it was the latex flavor of Kilz?

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

Teetorbilt

I don't paint much but IMHO Kilz waterbase sucks. I'm not going there again, too many better products.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Wild Blue

What would you suggest then as a primer on aluminum trailers that are down to or almost down to bare metal? We are also getting these little dots like the size of pinheads - bleedthru we need to stop. We prefer a latex if possible.

thanks again so very much for all who answered - aluminum sure is a pain!

ProWallGuy

Don't get your hopes set on latex, the PQI recommends a solvent based primer.

I use BM 206.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

AAPaint

Doh!

Kilz is not something to use as a full primer coat. If you're not going to use what PWG suggested try DTM from SW. No primer needed on aluminum with DTM, just proper cleaning.

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-AAPaint

AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
Jacksonville Painters
Jacksonville, FL.

ProWallGuy

DTM is also good stuff IMO.
I still get a little freaked out over no primer. I use the DTM on small stuff, like wrought iron railings, or doors. Something large/high $$$ I'd prefer to CMA and prime it anyways.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

AAPaint

I just thought of something else. Did you scrub that aluminum trailer down when you pressure washed it? What was it previously coated with, and was the surface chalky?

PWG - I'm with you on the priming for sure. I just see that as a basic must do...the no primer is the actual manufacturer recommendation, but old habbits die hard for sure!

The thing I like about DTM is it comes in a number of different flavors, acrylic, enamel, urethane, etc. I'm actually using the urethane on a project right now. It's an iron railing, as a matter of fact! Guess what though...I'm priming it, lol!

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-AAPaint

AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
Jacksonville Painters
Jacksonville, FL.

ProWallGuy

BTW, I say the bubbles/blisters are from some sort of contaminant, not necessarily due to poor adhesion.

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Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis
Digital Murals Installation

747

I do remember when slickshift recomended zinsser bullseye 123 primer sealer for my sister to prime her bathrooms walls with. I got home read the back of the can and it said you could prime aluminum with it. I remember thinking wow this stuff will stick to anything. I not recomending this. I think you should listen to pwg and AA i was just saying. Then she went with the zinsser permawhite mold and mildew resistance like slickshift recomended. Here bathroom walls look awesome when she was done. Alot better than i thought.

Exroadog

zinc chromate. It works for aircraft!

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