Why would drywall, which had been painted previously, start to bubble and peel after it was painted w primer?

If you didn't properly prepare the surface before painting than foreign substance that adhere to the surface can cause paint to bubble. Smoke can create a film on walls and ceilings that will not let paint adhere correctly. This can be from cigarettes, fireplace, or cooking. Some cleaners can leave a residue that will effect the actions of the paint.


Apparently the paint is already on the walls - now what?


Use a putty knife and scrape the bubbles off the wall - use a mild soap and water with a rag and wipe the area clean. Light sanding may be required to smooth the surface or it may be necessary to use a bit of vinyl spackle to get the wall smooth again. Ensure that the surface is dust free and dry or all your hard work will have been in vain. Happy painting!Why would drywall, which had been painted previously, start to bubble and peel after it was painted w primer?
if the old paint was oil based enamel (which I doubt)


and you used a lacquer based paint it will cause that.





BUT.. the odds are you didn't do that.....





You don't say how big the blisters are, but it could be moisture comeing thru the back of the drywalll.....Why would drywall, which had been painted previously, start to bubble and peel after it was painted w primer?
Is the drywall itself bubbling, or the just the paint? It might be moisture behind the drywall.
You may have a water problem behind the sheetrock which is painted. This could come from a leek, condensation between the walls, or no vapor barrier being placed on the inside of the exterior wall prior to the sheetrock walls being installed.
It could be that the previous paint was oil based? Or the new paint is oil based. A good primer should have taken care of that problem though. Check into the paint...latex vs. oil
It sounds like you're saying that the drywall was previously painted and was fine; then you put on a coat of primer and the previous paint started peeling. Is that right?





If that's the case, I'm guessing that something wasn't right in the prep for that earlier paint job. That doesn't explain why it was fine until the primer went on.





If I were in your shoes, I'd call the manufacturer of the primer. Their number might be on the can, or you can find it on line. Paint companies usually have technicians who can discuss problems that customers are having, and the actually know what thye're talking about. I have called UGL , Benjamin Moore, and Zinsser myself -- I've done a lot of painting over the years!
sounds like you have a water leak or you need to run a dehumidifier.
Sounds like the paint was not compatible with the primer.
well, its more that just oil vs latex. Today's latex's cover oil no problem. Did you sand the surface first? if so did you wipe the dust off, some primers and paints can have adhesion problems from dust. Also it may be oils from your hand, or hairspray causing it to blister. You might try and let it dry, small blisters usually go down after the paint dries. Good luck