Increased concentrations of surfactants etc. This redistribution of surfactants, dispersants and thickeners can also lead to weak surface layers on the coating. These are likely to chalk and weather faster than normal. Paints with low surfactant levels and higher low shear viscosity are less likely to be affected by prolonged drying times. Higher solids paints generally have shorter drying times and in adverse conditions will typically dry faster than lower solids paints.
Water is the first component of an applied latex paint to make contact with the substrate.
Surfactants and other small molecules then adsorb onto the substrate in competition with water. As water evaporates the binder polymer begins to fuse with the substrate. Adhesion of latex paints develops as polymer diffusion, interdiffusion and conformational changes occur. It is common for adhesion to develop and improve over the first several weeks of a coating's life. Low temperatures and damp or wet conditions prolong the development of adhesion.