Bubbling Paint...what the....?????

[Red Rocket GS1100]

So I sanded the old paint where it had some wrinkles or other kinds of nastiness. Wiped her down with a moistened lint free towel.
Let it dry. Sprayed the new coat...and before my eyes...everywhere the new paint touched the old primer it had a chemical reaction! Started bubbling like it was paint remover instead of automotive paint! This paint was expensive! I have about 3/4 of a rattle can left...so I guess I will try a primer coat (after I sand down the bubbly parts) and shoot it again. I did buy a can of primer with the expensive paint but didn't think I needed it. I guess I was wrong.
So the question is...am I going to repeat the problem with the primer too? Gosh I hope not. It's just the right color to be original. That's why I didn't care about the cost so much. Good thing I didn't attempt any touch ups with this stuff. I can take pictures if that helps you all.

[Nessism]

Lifting of the paint is a common problem and can be caused by various things depending on the type of paint. Most common cause is not waiting long enough for the base layers to properly dry. For example, Rustolium needs to be sprayed within one hour or you have to wait a day or two before adding more coats. Lifting can also occur if you don't have a properly stable base layer applied. Main thing is to follow the manufactures instructions.

I use PPG automotive paint and the primer can be top coated anytime up to 7 days. After 7 days it says to sand the primer and apply another coat. Base coat can be applied as soon as the primer flash drys, 15-30 minuets. Additional base coat layers can be added as needed with only 5 minuets in between. Clear must be applied within 24 hours or it won't stick properly. In my experience after finishing with the clear it's best to wait a few days for it to harden up real well before trying to add more layers - or lifting can occur.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

[Red Rocket GS1100]

well so back to square one

SO I sanded off the paint after it cured up a bit and decided to go on with the primer. Should I be cleaning off the paint site with something prior to spraying?
The primer bubbled up too...not as much. I figure that I have to do another primer coat anyway so I will sand those spots down and give it another throw.

[t3rmin]

Sounds like maybe the surface wasn't as clean as you think to begin with? Use some kind of solvent to dissolve oils and such before painting. A moist cloth isn't enough. I've used glass cleaner, simple green, alcohol, "liquid sandpaper", etc. Main idea is to get finger oils and such off.

[Nessism]

I don't think the problem is contamination, it's an unstable base layer and/or incompatability between the different paints.

If it were me I'd strip the whole mess and start again. Start with a proper base layer of primer followed by the color and clear within the prescribed coat time.

[t3rmin]

Well I've used compatible primer/base/clear, followed the directions, and still had the lower coats pull up and wrinkle due to what I think was contamination. Hasn't happened since I started cleaning the surface better. If the lower coats don't adhere well, they're prone to pulling away.

[Nessism]

Contamination causes fisheyes, not paint lifting. Lifting is due to the solvents in the fresh paint attacking the previous layer. If the base is cured it won't lift. Exception to this is auto paint that works best when it's layed wet on wet. If the layers are lifting the only thing to do is wait a few days, or a week, and start fresh. Or, strip the whole mess and do it right from the start.