Car Paint Bubbles – Why Does This Happen?

Tony Mers • December 28, 2022

If you’ve ever witnessed bubbling paint on a car’s exterior, you’ll never forget it. Unless you’re a mechanic or work in an auto body shop, most people don’t know what this means or what causes paint to bubble. Fortunately, we’ll explain a few reasons why car paint bubbles happen to anyone who owns a vehicle.

Too Much Paint

If your vehicle has recently gotten a paint job or someone did your previous paint job poorly, you may notice bubbles on the exterior. Too many coats applied to the body can cause most paint job problems. The paint itself is thick and dense. The thicker the coat, the longer the drying and curing time, which may lead to various problems. The moisture within the paint can get trapped if the layers are too thick and don’t dry fulling between coats.

Improper Prep Before Painting

If there is dust, debris, or moisture on the steel before applying paint, you could be in serious trouble. Even if your autobody technician in charge of your paint job used paint thinner, poor prep could result in paint bubbles. The excess trapped underneath and between the paint and the steel creates micro pockets of air, which grow into bubbles.

Exposed Steel Can Oxidize

When exposed to air and water, metal can oxidize and form rust. This creates a huge problem because, even if you attempt to clean the rust off, the paint could bubble if you don’t remove all of it. You’ll need to be vigilant when preparing for car painting repair if rust is an issue.

Weird bubbles forming on your car body can be alarming. If you’re not trained on what to do or the causes, there’s no need to be worried. Now, you know why car paint bubbles happen and what to do about them so you can fix the problem before it gets any worse.

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Why Ignoring Small Dents Can Lead to Bigger Problems

January 30, 2026

It is an awful feeling when you walk out to your car after a long day and see a small dent on your passenger door. While it may appear to be just a cosmetic issue, you should still get it fixed, because ignoring small dents can lead to bigger problems for your vehicle. Don’t let small dents on your car go untreated; let's talk about why you need to tackle these issues ASAP. Rust Loves Chicago Winters We all know the drill here in the Windy City. We have beautiful summers, sure, but we also pay the price with brutal winters. And what comes with winter? Salt. Tons of it. Your car’s paint job acts as a suit of armor protecting the metal body underneath. Even a minor dent often comes with microscopic cracks in the paint—sometimes too small to see with the naked eye. Once that seal is broken, moisture and road salt sneak in. They settle against the bare metal and start a chemical party you definitely don’t want to host. Oxidation begins immediately. By the time you notice bubbling paint or that tell-tale orange stain a few months later, the rust has already been eating away at your door panel from the inside out. Resale Value Takes a Nosedive For many people, maintaining their car is a valuable part of purchasing a new vehicle. When that day comes, curb appeal is everything. Used car buyers (and dealership appraisers) will judge your car by its exterior appearance. If they see a vehicle riddled with door dings, bumper scrapes, and ignored scratches, they see a car that wasn't cared for. They assume that if you didn't care enough to fix the outside, you probably didn't care about the rest of it either. It lowers the perceived value instantly. Maintaining your car’s body and its paint is an investment in your future trade-in value. Paint Damage Spreads Like a Virus When a dent or scrape compromises the integrity of the paint, the surrounding paint loses its grip. High-pressure car washes, wind, and temperature fluctuations cause the paint to flake away from the initial injury site. A scratch the size of a quarter can grow into a patch the size of a softball over a couple of seasons. It’s Easier (and Cheaper) Than You Think Here is the good news: fixing these things early is surprisingly affordable. Modern body shop technology is amazing. For many small dings where the paint isn't cracked, we can use techniques that massage the metal back into place without spraying a drop of paint. River North Collision Repair offers paintless dent repair in Chicago to fix minor dents. Regardless of what nicked your door, we can help remove the dents and maintain a seamless look for your vehicle. Don’t Wait for Problems Don't let minor dents turn into a big nightmare. Save your future self the headache (and the cash). Swing by River North Collision Repair for your quick and easy repairs. Because driving a car you’re proud of? That’s a feeling you can’t put a price on.