The Underlying Causes of Surfactant Leaching

Surfactants refer to surface-active agents. They consist of various compounds added to paint during pigmentation dispersion. Their primary function is to improve color stability and consistency by helping paint cover surfaces smoothly. When surfactants work as intended, they should dry and seal into the paint. However, the compounds found in surfactants can sometimes rise or leach into the paint’s surface, leaving an uneven film.

Leaching primarily occurs when drying conditions are cold, steamy, or damp. The primary causes of surfactant leaching include: 

• Low temperatures – Paint dries best when the surrounding temperature is between 50- and 90-degrees Fahrenheit. When too hot, paint can dry too quickly and crack; when too cold, it can struggle to bind/stick to the surface. 
• Poor ventilation – Insufficient air circulation can prevent proper drying. 
• Darker paint pigments – Darker paints contain more surfactants, making them more vulnerable to leaching.
• Humidity – Excess humidity can lead to challenges with leaching. Moisture can delay drying, causing the paint to peel, leak, and turn greasy/glossy. This is especially true when the paint is exposed to moisture before fully setting.

Tips on Handling Surfactant Leaching 

At Five Star Painting, we understand how frustrating it can be when a brand-new coat of paint quickly deteriorates due to leaching. It is normal to panic and wonder what on earth what wrong. You may wonder how the walls went from appearing spotless to suddenly riddled with drip marks. While the paint may just be sweating, the likelier culprit is surfactant leaching.

Due to the reasons specified above, surfactant leaching is most common in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms, where moisture is abundant. It can also happen outdoors, especially in hot and humid climates.

To reduce the chances of surfactant leaching, we recommend avoiding a few common mistakes. Do not:

• Paint during the monsoon/wet season
• Paint when the daytime or nighttime temperatures are too hot/cold
• Shower too soon after painting a bathroom
• Cooking, steaming, or boiling water after painting a kitchen
• Running the washer too soon after painting

We also recommend using high-quality paints and adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions for proper application. Never skip preparatory steps. Taking shortcuts will often lead to improper application and unsightly stains. Finally, always ventilate with fans or dehumidifiers after painting.

How to Remedy Surfactant Leaching

If you’re already dealing with surfactant leaching, there are a few ways to remedy the issue. Unfortunately, a second coat is very unlikely to fix the issue. This technique can seal the leaching, but the underlying ripples of the uneven film will remain visible.

Instead of adding a new coat of paint on your walls, we recommend:

• Sanding & repainting – While a fresh coat will not remedy the issue, sanding and then repainting after the surfactant film is removed can drastically improve the overall appearance – evening the surface and eliminating the color stains.
• Vigorously washing – Sometimes soap and water are all you need. Try applying soap, warm water, and a soft cloth/sponge to wash off grease marks left by surfactant leaching. Just be careful not to clean too soon. Wetting uncured film can cause further leaching.
• Remaining patient – This option is not for everyone. However, natural weathering processes can significantly diminish and minimize the stains from surfactant leaching. Sometimes, all you need to do is allow time to work its magic.

Hire Local Experts to Tackle Surfactant Leaching Problems Professionally

A new coat of paint should be an upgrade – elevating the look and feel of a property. Five star painting knows how transformative fresh paint can be, boosting real estate value and curb appeal. That’s why surfactant leaching can be particularly demoralizing. Nobody expects a new paint job to leave their walls stained with uneven grease marks and glossy inconsistencies. The entire point of spending time and money on a paint project was to improve appearances – not the opposite.

Fortunately, you can count on our paint specialists to rush to the rescue if you’re dealing with surfactant leaching. We can thoroughly remove surfactant compounds efficiently and affordably. Upon request, we can also sand, prep, and properly repaint your property. You can rest assured knowing our interior and exterior painting services are second to none. We will beautify your home inside and out by doing things the right way!

For streak-free walls, call us or schedule an estimate online!