Paint bubbles

[AWSOM50]

My general was apparently painted 2 years or so ago.  It obviously wasnt the best job in the world as it has a couple of runs.  I guess it wasn't prepared very well either as it has paint bubbles popping up (Or maybe I'm just noticing them more).  They are primarily around the wheels, on the front fenders and rear quarters.  No bubbles above the first crease really.

They don't bother me too much, but I don't want them to get worse really.  I garage the car and keep it dry, is it gona get worse? how long till it gets really bad?

Please excuse my ignorance, I don't really know a lot about bodywork or paint.  Is it possible to have the lower section of the car sprayed, or am I going to eventually have to have it stripped completely and resprayed?

Thanks

[Ghoste]

It isn't ignorance to not know.
Keeping the car in the garage and dry will slow it but the fact is, it's going to get worse.  And the longer you go, the more difficult the repair becomes.  How long is not a question that can really be answered.
What you will probably find is that is the filler beneath the paint that is lifting and the only proper way to fix is to strip it and refinish it correctly and then repaint.  You can do the repair on those areas where the paint is lifting but you will need a good painter to match it and blow it in.

[RogerDodger]

 

The bubbles that you see are likely from moisture behind some filler. I may be from rust that wasn't replaced with new metal and welded in.

[Ghoste]

And if it isn't rust that wasn't repaired, it soon will be.

[tan top]

The bubbles that you see are likely from moisture behind some filler. I may be from rust that wasn't replaced with new metal and welded in.

And if it isn't rust that wasn't repaired, it soon will be.

     with (Ghoste)  & ( RogerDoger )      i,m sorry to say it sounds like rusty metal loaded up with bondo as a temporary fix .
   got any pitcures     

[AWSOM50]

hello, thanks for the replies.  I'll post some pics up as soon as I can.   The bubbles are on all 4 quarters.  What are the implications of this?  Does that mean I am going to have to have new metal welded in everywhere eventually?  Surely that isn't possible and/or cost effective. 

I don't know a lot of history about the car.  But it doesn't have a lot of evidence of rust in general except it has holes in the floor pans.

[Drop Top]

I do this kind of work all the time. Your right. You need to figure out just how much you like this car before going any further. It can get costly really fast. You really need to take the paint off and start over. Those little bubbles are just the begining. Theres no reasion to repaint/repair the rust problems on the car and not find out if there is something else to show up later after you have it done.

I'm just finishing up a 69 Chevellefor a customer. I replaced part of the floor pan, added a 4-speed hump, fire wall, both rear 1/4s, the rear tail panel and patches on both fenders. Its not even an SS. (But it will be). He brought me just the body in pieces already apart and plastic meada blasted. He's got around $10,000 in just my labor so far. Its ready for paint right now. Then after its painted, he's going to have to put it all back together. He has the frame all redone new drive train, all new outside trim pieces, new interior, new rubbers from front to back. Then the cost of the car in the first place. He's going to have a big bundel in the car. I see this all the time. But he likes the car and he wouldn't have it any other way. Hes here almost on a daily bassis and helps with what he can to help keep the expenses down.

I can go on with much more expensive stories but I think you get the idea.

                                                   Good Luck

[AWSOM50]

OK, I tried to photograph some of them.  You have to look closely.  They can only be seen in artificial light really because it creates a shadow to one side.

Car was painted around 2 years ago.  Could it just have been poor preparation or is my car definitely doomed?

[Ghoste]

Well, both really.  It's small so do it now and the repairs may not be too bad.  We frequently refer to rust as "cancer" and this is another of the ways the analogy rings true.  You caught it early and it can be treated, leave it and, well...

[AWSOM50]

thank you ghoste.  The paint is great overall except these bubbles.  But I bet there's a bunch of filler underneath.  I have even noticed a few on the hood now, very small.  I don't know if they have popped up recently or if I only just noticed them.  I'll have to make this a priority to get sorted over the winter.

[AWSOM50]

Quick question -- is this paint bubbling I am experiencing referred to as "fish eyes"?

[MichaelRW]

No, it is not fisheyes. It is probably from old filler or glazing putty.

[hemi-hampton]

I'd guess somebody just Bondo'd over rust to make a Quick buck. Typical. If so then you now have that rust growing underneath your paint. LEON.

[AWSOM50]

I spoke to a bodyshop who has done a lot of mopars and obviously this is gona cost a whole bunch of money to fix properly.  What are my options here?  I cannot afford to spend thousands at this present time and I don't want to sell the car.  I don't want to fully restore it anyway - that isn't my goal.  I just want a nice driver that looks good.

Who here has had a similar problem with a relatively new paint job bubbling up?

Can I delay the bubbling process while I decide what to do?  I was thinking if I take the wheels off and clean the arches thoroughly, then apply anti-rust wax (waxoyl, dinitrol etc) this could slow it down by stopping it rust from the inside out?

Many thanks

[Ghoste]

Well, how much time do you need?  It isn't like it's going to be holes the size of your fist in the next six months or anything.

[AWSOM50]

Well I just want to hold it off as long as possible really.  The car looks great in daylight and if I could keep it right the way it is for 2 years then I'd be happy.

I took a rear wheel off today, and inside the arches where the bubbles are and I found bare metal and rust where the underseal was missing in places.

Maybe I should clean and paint this area with something like por15?  or just put some underseal on?

[RogerDodger]

Maybe spray some rust treatment on it and undercoat it. Try to keep out of the rain.