Surfactant Leaching

Surfactant leaching, or the appearance of brown residue or streaks on interior and exterior painted surfaces, is a common problem that occurs when painting with water-based latex paint.

How to Identify, Prevent and Fix Surfactant Leaching

Despite its name and appearance, surfactant leaching is an aesthetic concern, and not harmful to the paint nor the surface it covers.

Surfactants are necessary ingredients of latex paint. These water-soluble components migrate over time to the surface of the paint. When newly applied latex paint is exposed to high moisture or humidity while it’s drying and/or curing, the surfactants can rise prematurely to the film’s surface, producing a residue or splotches. This residue can be sticky, discolored, glossy or soapy in appearance. Surfactant leaching frequently shows up in bathrooms and other humid environments on ceilings or walls. While unattractive, surfactant leaching does not harm the coating.

When newly applied exterior latex paint is exposed to high moisture or humidity while drying, the rising surfactants can produce stains, also known as weeping, appearing as an oily or sticky, sap-like substance. It is important to note that the discoloration from surfactant leaching is not the same as water stains or spots and should not be treated as such.

What Causes Surfactant Leaching—and How to Prevent it

Paint drying in cool, humid conditions—Especially during early fall, this is common as frost can form overnight; using a premium paint like Aura^® Exterior Paint helps to combat this issue.

Condensed moisture—Common on outdoor surfaces and in bathrooms. A high quality latex paint like Aura^® Bath & Spa Interior Paint is designed for optimum performance in high-humidity interior environments, and will help avoid surfactant leaching from the outset.

Deeper tints—Common when using deeper color paints tinted with universal colorants which contain extra surfactants.

How to Fix Surfactant Leaching

Do not paint over stains

Rinse the surface with water or wipe with a damp cloth as soon as you notice stains

On exterior surfaces, normal weathering will usually remove surfactant stains naturally

Wipe surfaces with a damp cloth to clean areas impacted by surfactant leaching.

How to Identify, Prevent and Fix Surfactant Leaching

Despite its name and appearance, surfactant leaching is an aesthetic concern, and not harmful to the paint nor the surface it covers.

Surfactants are necessary ingredients of latex paint. These water-soluble components migrate over time to the surface of the paint. When newly applied latex paint is exposed to high moisture or humidity while it’s drying and/or curing, the surfactants can rise prematurely to the film’s surface, producing a residue or splotches. This residue can be sticky, discolored, glossy or soapy in appearance. Surfactant leaching frequently shows up in bathrooms and other humid environments on ceilings or walls. While unattractive, surfactant leaching does not harm the coating.

When newly applied exterior latex paint is exposed to high moisture or humidity while drying, the rising surfactants can produce stains, also known as weeping, appearing as an oily or sticky, sap-like substance. It is important to note that the discoloration from surfactant leaching is not the same as water stains or spots and should not be treated as such.

What Causes Surfactant Leaching—and How to Prevent it

Paint drying in cool, humid conditions—Especially during early fall, this is common as frost can form overnight; using a premium paint like Aura^® Exterior Paint helps to combat this issue.

Condensed moisture—Common on outdoor surfaces and in bathrooms. A high quality latex paint like Aura^® Bath & Spa Interior Paint is designed for optimum performance in high-humidity interior environments, and will help avoid surfactant leaching from the outset.

Deeper tints—Common when using deeper color paints tinted with universal colorants which contain extra surfactants.

How to Fix Surfactant Leaching

Do not paint over stains

Rinse the surface with water or wipe with a damp cloth as soon as you notice stains

On exterior surfaces, normal weathering will usually remove surfactant stains naturally

Prevent Surfactant Leaching

AURA® Interior Paint

AURA Interior, with our exclusive Color Lock® technology, delivers the ultimate performance for brilliant, rich, and everlasting color.

Learn More

AURA® Bath and Spa

AURA Bath & Spa is a luxurious matte finish designed for high-humidity environments.

Learn More

AURA® Exterior Paint

AURA Exterior with our Color Lock® technology provides the ultimate performance for rich, full color and unprecedented durability.

Learn More

Prevent Surfactant Leaching

AURA® Interior Paint

AURA Interior, with our exclusive Color Lock® technology, delivers the ultimate performance for brilliant, rich, and everlasting color.

Learn More

AURA® Bath and Spa

AURA Bath & Spa is a luxurious matte finish designed for high-humidity environments.

Learn More

AURA® Exterior Paint

AURA Exterior with our Color Lock® technology provides the ultimate performance for rich, full color and unprecedented durability.

Learn More

AURA® Interior Paint

AURA Interior, with our exclusive Color Lock® technology, delivers the ultimate performance for brilliant, rich, and everlasting color.

Learn More

AURA® Bath and Spa

AURA Bath & Spa is a luxurious matte finish designed for high-humidity environments.

Learn More

AURA® Exterior Paint

AURA Exterior with our Color Lock® technology provides the ultimate performance for rich, full color and unprecedented durability.

Learn More

Surfactant Leaching

How to Identify, Prevent and Fix Surfactant Leaching

What Causes Surfactant Leaching—and How to Prevent it

How to Fix Surfactant Leaching

How to Identify, Prevent and Fix Surfactant Leaching

What Causes Surfactant Leaching—and How to Prevent it

How to Fix Surfactant Leaching

Prevent Surfactant Leaching

AURA® Interior Paint

AURA® Bath and Spa

AURA® Exterior Paint

Prevent Surfactant Leaching

AURA® Interior Paint

AURA® Bath and Spa

AURA® Exterior Paint

AURA® Interior Paint

AURA® Bath and Spa

AURA® Exterior Paint

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