masonry paint not drying

latecomer

Got a slight problem with our front steps - I cleaned the walls that form the sides up and then last weekend gave them a coat of masonry paint once they had dried and the temperature got up a bit - expecting to have to give them another coat as its reasonably thin (Leyland Truguard Masonry paint from Screwfix). But the problems started when I got back to the house a couple of days later and found that the paint had basically washed off some of the masonry - along the top of the walls. Now I realise it wasn't the warmest of days but thought it was warm enough and certainly over the 10 degrees required on the tin. The weather over the last week hasn't been great with low temperatures and pretty wet/damp which certainly wont have helped.

So I'm wondering whether I've just been unlucky and its rained shortly after I've left or in any case before the paint has dried or whether there is a problem with the underlying paint which has caused this problem. I'm looking at the forecast and it does look reasonable for the next couple of days from lunchtime onwards and I really want to get this sorted out.

Whats the best line of approach - wait for the walls to be dry and then go for another coat or try and remove whats still on and start again? Or do I need to try and get the new paint off and then prime it with something?

And if you're wondering why I'm trying to paint at this time of the year - we are hoping to sell the house and its one of the last things to be done.

Thanks in advance

Edit: I should probably add that the stuff that hasn't washed off does appear to be dried. Pics coming shortly.

latecomer

Having imageshack uploading issues - have a look here:

http://the2yearproject.blogspot.com/2011/11/minor-painting-issues.html

Any thoughts?

DVardysShadow

I wonder if it got frosted? How new is this paint?

latecomer

brand new - just picked up the day before it was put on. I'm hoping its just been bad luck with teh weather given that the more sheltered parts have dried uk. There was some mildew on it previously but I washed it down with hot water with bleach and then gave it all a good going over with a wirebrush.

ormus

as the vertical wall looks ok, i suspect that some rain has done the damage on the tops.

crazyguy

Dulux do one that claims to be shower proof in 30 minutes well so it claims, http://dulux.trade-decorating.co.uk/products/exteriors.jsp

Or here : http://www.watco.co.uk/watco-all-weather-masonry-paint.html

Chunks

From the picture looks like water damage. If this is a water based version of the paint they sell, then you were probably just unlucky. I would reapply as soon as the temperature is up and a dry day is forecast. If you could rig up something to protect the surface while drying (just in case) then you should be able to sort it. Applying paint at this time of year is not optimum (but you cannot wait, I see). Good luck and I hope your on-sale goes well.

latecomer

thanks folks - i'm hoping it was the temperature. decent weather forecast for tomorrow so will try again once it is dry and warm enough.

might have a look for quick drying alternative or try and rig a frame over to create a cover over it to give it time to cure although thats not going to be simple given the size and location.

edit: yes its water based paint which I have to say came as a surprise.