Surfactant Leaching

Concentration of water-soluble ingredients on the surface of latex paint, creating a blotchy, sometimes glossy appearance, often with a tan or brownish cast. More likely with tinted paints than white or factory-coloured paints.

Possible Cause:

• Paintingin cool, humid conditions or just before they occur. The longer drying time allows the paint's water-soluble ingredients - which would normally evaporate, or be leached out by rain or dew - to rise to the surface before paint thoroughly dries.

• Mist, dew or other moisture drying on the painted surface shortly after it has dried.

Solution:

Avoid painting in the late afternoon if cool, damp conditions are expected in the evening or overnight. If the problem occurs in the first day or so after the paint is applied, the water-soluble material can sometimes be rinsed off easily. Fortunately, even more stubborn cases will generally weather off after a month. Surfactant leaching should not affect the ultimate durability of the coating.