Help! How to fix bubbles in trim grooves?

15 years ago

Hi,

Situation: Door casing trim was primed 8 months ago before it was put on. So, I decided to put on more primer before painting. I sanded, wiped with tack cloth, etc, and brushed on the primer using my wonderful Corona brush. This was at 7pm, last night (March 1).

The problem is this trim has ever so many grooves and when I took a look at it this morning, I see 'holey' areas in the grooves (pics below).

How can I fix these now before painting? Or do I not have to worry about it and the paint will fill in the holes?

And how do I avoid the same thing happening when I paint with the real paint?

Here are some pics. While I couldn't get the camera to focus very sharply, and the first pic is dark, I hope it gives you the gist at least. And my first time using Photobucket, so mea culpa if I've done any mis-photo-etiquette.

Casing around the door:

Bubble-y area:

Another look at the bubble-y area:

Thanks so much for any advice!

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Comments (4)

paintguy22
15 years ago
It looks like too much paint was applied and it sagged in the channels?
la_koala
Original Author
15 years ago
Hi paintguy,

Yes, it could have been too much primer and it sagged. I am a newbie at all of this.

Is there a way that I can tell when I've put on too much paint and it would sag? Other than years of experience? :-)

Or rather, is there a way that once I've applied a coat of paint, to monitor it and take some step to address the sagging if I see that it's happening?

(I'm imagining something like running a toothpick down the groove to get any excess to the bottom, but then my imagination runs out and I don't know what I'd do then.)

I was telling a friend of mine about it on the phone and she suggested to simply sand out the grooves to get rid of the 'holes'. Any reason not to do that?

Thanks in advance!
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paintguy22
15 years ago
No, sanding the grooves should work fine. Just fold up a piece of sandpaper and stick it in there. The way to not get sagging in the grooves is just to not put so much paint on. Make your final pass with a dry brush and check it after a minute or so to make sure it isn't sagging. Fluted trim is a bit of a challenge in this way. I do know also that some paints are just looser and runnier than others so perhaps that is an issue as well.
la_koala
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks paintguy--I didn't want to start sanding without knowing if it would mess it up more. ;-)

I was so afraid that I wouldn't put enough paint on that it sounds like I ended up putting on too much. Thanks for the tip about using a dry brush in a final pass. I hadn't read that before.

Thanks again!