[Father-n-Son]

Just painted a house and found it had bubbles on it from the last paint job.

I told the owner it looked like the last painter(s) didn't use any primer and if they did it was a latex over CWF or something like it. Because the bubbles
got worse as the sun hit each side of the house, when it got cooler they went back in.

I then told the owner, the only way I could fix it was to strip the 2 sides that needed it.

The owner(s) said they primed and painted the house the last time and used an oil based primer.

Me -> LOL

I say there isn't an oil base primer under the last paint job. I've seen enough paint to know latex paint will give and, oil will crack before it has bubbles like this house has.

To make it short, I left the bubbles and repainted the house as is, bubbles and all :blink:

Customer didn't want to pay the extra to make it right.

Why paint it if you want the bubbles? People kill me, they won't spend a few dollars and make it right.

Because I know, I won't go back when the bubbles start cracking and the paint is falling off of the house.

It has nothing to do with my work. <- Customer knows this.

 

[chrisn]

Mr

It has nothing to do with my work. <- Customer knows this.

It seems to me it does if you painted over them.

 

[slickshift]

Honestly, I'm not sure I would have painted over knowing it wasn't the right thing to do
Just because the customer doesn't want to pay extra to have it done correctly, doesn't mean I want my name on the job when it fails...and doesn't mean it's OK

When he starts bitching to his friends and family and co-workers, it won't be "that dad-gung previous painting contractor"'s fault, it'll be yours

I'm not just blowing smoke, I've refused large projects because the "just paint it" would violate my ethics and adversely affect my rep....and I'm no rich man (more of a toothpaste sandwich and Raman noodles guy), and certainly "can't afford to pass on jobs" any more than anyone else here
There's plenty of fly-by-night illegals that'll "just paint it"

If for some reason I did paint it, I would have them sign a waiver of my warranty
(and really, that can often convince a homeowner to have it done right)

 

[Safety Guy]

We would probably get it in writing that there were bubbles prior to us painting and would not be held responsible for any failure. We had a job early this summer that we had the same situation, bubbles in the previous coating and the owner wanted us to "just paint it anyway". They signed off on the warranty and away we went.

 

[Rich]

Only job I've seen do this was painted with an oil topcoat. Bubbles in the sun, goes down in the shade. It's obviously an adhesion issue...

...and I'm with John...I refuse work all the time where the HO wants me to just slap some paint on...I don't work that way, my mind doesn't work that way, my ethics don't work that way...I just move on

...and furthermore when I run across an HO that can't afford the proper paint job, I don't really want all the issues with money coming up while the job is in progress anyway

 

[sunnydays]

I have seen SW duration do this type of thing too.

 

[Primer Guy]

Bubbles could be from a variety of causes. Sometimes it is a fundmental problem caused by moisture trying to escape. Any primer or paint will have the same problem if that is the case. Cut open one of the bubbles and look at the back of the paint chip. Do you see topcoat, primer or delaminated wood surface? That should give you some clues as to what the problem is. Another issue might be poor adhesion of the previous paint. My bet would be a moisture problem. Check the area with a moisture meter.

 

[SgtBaldy]

Honestly, I'm not sure I would have painted over knowing it wasn't the right thing to do
Just because the customer doesn't want to pay extra to have it done correctly, doesn't mean I want my name on the job when it fails...and doesn't mean it's OK

When he starts bitching to his friends and family and co-workers, it won't be "that dad-gung previous painting contractor"'s fault, it'll be yours

I'm not just blowing smoke, I've refused large projects because the "just paint it" would violate my ethics and adversely affect my rep....and I'm no rich man (more of a toothpaste sandwich and Raman noodles guy), and certainly "can't afford to pass on jobs" any more than anyone else here
There's plenty of fly-by-night illegals that'll "just paint it"

If for some reason I did paint it, I would have them sign a waiver of my warranty
(and really, that can often convince a homeowner to have it done right)

People like that usually never admit they were wrong. When the paint fails it will always be your fault.

I just turned down a job because customer asked me how much without the primer or pressure washing on exterior.
It was a chalky mess too. I think he ended up saying he was gonna paint it with his brother instead of paying too much with me.

 

[bikerboy]

As far as the homeowner is concerned, you are only as good as your last job. He will be telling his buddies that two different painters couldn't fix the problem. Unfortunately you will be one of them.

 

[timhag]

I would have walked away from the job. painting over those bubbles becomes your problem for not doing the job the correct way. bad news travels fast and bad new is not good business.

 

[NuView Painting]

I would not have taken the job if they didnt not want to pay to do it right...your name will be glued to them bubbles

 

[Tmrrptr]

ALL the replies are correct. Your reputation will be influenced by that job,
bad news DOES travel fast, and your name will be glued to those bubbles.

Better to have people talking about you than not know your name.
Good news travels in the right circles.

If you do hear any flak from that job, make a new advertising campaign based on it!

We work for customer satisfaction.
Here is what might happen if you don't take our professional advice.
THIS client got the cheap price when we advised otherwise.
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