Leaching (surfactant)

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Description

Blotchy usually tan colored glossy water soluble spots on latex paints.

 

 

 

 

Probable Cause

• Painting in cool humid conditions or just prior to their occurrence, such as late afternoon or just before or just after rain.

• If moisture from any source collects on fresh paint before it has thoroughly dried, leaching may appear.

 

Solutions

• No painting if temperatures are below 50? F or late PM when it’s cooler.

• Coolness extends drying.

• Surfactants that usually evaporate, rise to the surface.

• The residue disappears from weathering in about a month and doesn’t harm the paint.

• The best is to let nature take it’s course, but rinsing sometimes will easily remove the residue.

• Leaching cures itself in a little time.

 

Primers & Interior Finishes

• Surfactants are necessary to a paint formula.

• They evaporate and never are a part of the dried paint.

• Slow drying due to coolness or humidity, prevents the surfactants from evaporating and a blotchy sometimes glossy residue appears.

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