How to Get Rid of Paint Crying

Question: Why is my new paint “crying”?

Answer:  Paint Crying, or streaking on the paint surface is a common problem.

It often occurs if you use a paint with darker tints in a moist and damp environment, such as a bathroom or the kitchen. The industry term we use for this is, “surfactant leaching.” Surfactants are a chemical that is added to your paint enabling it to flow smoothly from the paint brush to your wall.

In general, paint takes 21 days to dry completely. But if your room is moist and damp it can take considerably longer. Add in warm, moist air from a shower and your new paint will stay soft and take much longer to dry! The surfactants then leach out of the paint bringing tinter with it (tinter is what helps to create that perfect colour you’ve chosen). This doesn’t harm the paint. However, it can leave, what appear to be, “crying” marks on your new paint.

Solution: This can all be avoided!

Keep your newly painted room, such as a bathroom, very well ventilated. I know this might be hard, but try to avoid using the shower or bath for at least a week after painting.

Of course, that’s not possible for all of us. So if you must shower, keep ’em shorter and cooler than you would normally. Open your window up, run your fan and heater for at least half an hour after showering. If you DO see any paint crying on your walls, wipe the marks away immediately with a slightly damp cloth.

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