Sudden temperature drops and heavy dew formation, prevalent especially in the Spring and Fall, can cause rapid surfactant exudation. Surfactants are Surface Active Agents or chemical soaps which are vital components of all latex paints.

During the natural aging process of exterior latex paints, some of the surfactant material will exude or migrate to the surface of the film. Under normal conditions, the surfactants gradually reach the surface and then they are usually washed or weathered away uniformly.

When the exudation process occurs rapidly, the surfactants become concentrated on the surface. Paints applied under relatively cool and moist conditions, which are followed by dropping temperatures and rising humidity or the formation of dew during the drying time of the paint, can allow a large amount of the solubles to be brought to the surface at one time, in relatively high concentrations where they can form stains.

SOLUTION: Typically, surfactant exudation is a temporary situation. Sufficient rain or weathering will flush away most surfactant staining in time. Surfactants on latex coatings can be removed easily with water. Alkyd- modified latex paints present a more difficult situation. Unless the surfactant exudation is removed immediately (within a couple days), then it can only disappear slowly through weathering.

The loss of surfactants is natural and is in no way detrimental to the film quality or its performance.