Trey,
The Pratt and Lambert site offers the following:
Frosting can occur when the paint coating is exposed to moisture and low temperatures. On humid nights, or in the event of rain or fog, moisture will condense on a freshly painted surface and start to penetrate. As the water penetrates the film, trace elements in the film transport to the surface. These elements are water-soluble and can be removed by simply washing the area with warm water. Wait until the surface has cured before washing.
I have not experienced this but I do have about 2 cents worth I can give you. (By the way, did the generals specs call for using a SW primer and topcoated with BM?)
Anyway, you may want to reconsider your solution of cleaning, priming with oil and repainting at this time. Unless this is a small area it may become more costly than it needs to be.
I would go back to square one and wash the area with warm water as recommended. Allow it to dry and inspect.
If the deposits remain on the surface, notify the homeowner and let him know that you plan on rectifying the situation. Next, I would approach the General and between the two of you hash it out. This may be the time to reprime and repaint.
The bottom line is "we" need to make the situation right. Whatever it takes the homeowner deserves a solution ASAP.
Hopefully the General will meet you half way if it becomes costly. Hope this helps.
Good luck.
Tom Rohland
Ranger Painting & Pressure Cleaning, Inc.
Trey said:
I painted a new exterior in October. Around Christmas as we were finishing the interior, the general contractor and homeowner notice white deposits on the exterior. A few weeks later we cleaned these spots with a tsp solution and power washed, within a week the spots were back. I went last week and there are more deposits. The house is painted with a dark burgandy semi gloss from Ben Moore (two coats) and primed with Sherwin Williams 102 primer. It was not too cold when we painted or too humid. I have never seen this problem and have been in the buisness since I was a tottler, its the family buisness. I think it is frosting, considering the deepness of the color. The solution would be to clean, prime with oil, and repaint. The problem here is cost and responsibility. Have any of you ran into this problem before? How did you solve it? Thanks in advance for the help.