What caused the uneven texture in some areas of the paint job – paint over wallpaper or latex over oil paint?
Asked by Gianna Lecomte 
6 months ago
Last Updated: May 12, 2024
Hey, quick update: I decided to leave it alone and it actually looks a lot better today! It’s still not perfectly smooth, but definitely not as noticeable. I’m still not sure what caused the issue. Could it be that the previous owners painted over wallpaper and that’s why it didn’t go well when I tried again? Or maybe it’s the difference between using latex over oil paint? Not sure, but thanks for all your help! š
It seems like you may have painted over wallpaper? Once it dries, the bubbles should flatten out.
Seems like the wallpaper or old paint might have lifted. Give it time to dry and see if it goes back down. You might have to remove the bubble, apply a bit of spackle, and repaint those areas.
That appears to be wallpaper, I believe I can spot a seam. The paint looks fine, no need to worry about the bubbles, they should disappear as it dries. Just give it some time.
This is a common issue that arises when painting over wallpaper. The paint can make it peel off later.
If you paint over wallpaper, this might happen.
Here’s another option for your wallpaper.
Oh, you’re talking about wallpaper
What type of primer did you end up using?
You can’t just paint over wallpaper like that
You can try popping those bubbles and squeezing some glue in, then flattening them. Personally, I haven’t had great results with Gliddon paint, but who knows, maybe it’s just me.
Wait, did you actually paint over wallpaper? š¤ It seems like the moisture from the paint is causing bubbles in the areas where the wallpaper didn’t adhere properly.
No, it was not wallpaper
Seems like wallpaper. You need to use oil-based primer before painting over it. The primer will prevent moisture from seeping through and causing the glue to react.
Not wallpaperā the house dates back to 1900 and many of the renovations done by the previous owner resulted in our walls appearing quite crooked and uneven.
Uses oil paint and requires a special primer!
Thatās for sure wallpaper. The seams are clearly visible
Perhaps hidden beneath the oil paint haha
Oh wow I totally overlooked that. thatās really annoying.
You used latex paint over oil paint!
You need a special primer
Oh no
Not so good
Haha knows their stuff
As some have mentioned, it seems like you painted over existing wallpaper (which is possible with proper preparation involving mudding the seams and sanding). The bubbling could also be due to insufficient wall prep or painting water-based paint over oil-based paint. Did you paint directly over wallpaper or was it already painted before you painted over it?
Another user suggested cutting out the bubbles, mudding them, which might be the best solution now. Make sure to address any surrounding areas that are peeling as well. While you’re at it, fill in the seams and any other imperfections, and then sand them down. It might require multiple coats to achieve a smooth finish.
In the future, I would advise you to steer clear of Glidden paint. It’s considered low quality and doesn’t provide good coverage. I strongly recommend Sherwin Williams or Benjamin Moore paints. The quality of paint and supplies you use makes a significant difference. I used to opt for cheaper options, but once I learned this lesson, it greatly improved my results after 20 years of experience.
The previous occupants of my home painted over wallpaper and encountered the same issue. While the paint was still wet, I punctured the bubbles with a pin to release the air and most of them flattened out instantly.
Seems to be wallpaper backing.
Might as well have added food coloring to water instead of using Glidden!
I saw the sink.. has someone used the shower in that bathroom recently? Moisture from steam can cause that. I used the same paint in our nursery and had great results, but I sprayed it. Also, I recommend looking into a paint specifically made for bathrooms. I’m not sure if this one can handle the heat & moisture. Good luck, I hope it all goes well.
No one had taken a shower for a few hours. The bathroom is quite large, and this wall is across from the shower, so I’ve never seen moisture on that wall before. I hope that’s not the issue!
Seems like there is a wallpaper seam hidden beneath the paint.
You are absolutely right!
It seems like the wall might have needed better priming at first, hence the tape joint.
There was definitely a lot of texture and uneven paint when we purchased the house.
When you fix the paint job, maybe think about changing those old light bulbs above the mirror? I had those in my house when I bought it and the first thing I did was replace them right away before I started renovations. I also switched the mirror to a large circular one with LED backlighting, which made a huge difference. My vanity was very similar to yours and I kept it.
Wait, is that dust on the walls?
Chances are, the base paint was oil-based and you painted over it with latex paint. This usually results in the bubbling effect.