Funny you mention the different paint formulas—do you think it’s just the pigment or maybe something about the clear coat, too? I’ve noticed some cars get that chalky look faster than others, even when they’re parked side by side. Wonder if it’s like roofing granules fading at different rates depending on the batch or whatever. Anyone ever try those paint restoration kits, or is that just a temporary fix for faded reds?
I’ve noticed some cars get that chalky look faster than others, even when they’re parked side by side. Wonder if it’s like roofing granules fading at different rates depending on the batch or whatever.
That’s a good comparison, honestly. On roofs, you’ll see two houses with the same shingles, but one fades way quicker—usually comes down to sun angle, tree cover, or even just a weird batch of granules. Car paint’s kinda the same deal. It’s not just the pigment, though reds are notorious for fading fast. The clear coat plays a big part. Some brands seem to cheap out on it, or maybe it’s just thinner on certain models.
I’ve tried those paint restoration kits on my old truck (it was a faded red, go figure). They work okay for a while. You buff out the oxidation and it looks shiny again, but if the clear coat’s already gone, it’s just a temporary fix. After a few months in the sun, the chalkiness creeps back in. Sorta like when you try to clean up old shingles—they look better for a bit, but you can’t really reverse years of UV damage.
Funny thing, my neighbor’s Honda and my Ford both sat outside for years, same driveway. His red held up way better than mine, even though we both washed and waxed about as often. Makes me think it’s not just maintenance but something in the formula or how thick the clear coat is from the factory.
If you’re dealing with faded paint, those kits can buy you some time, but unless you’re ready to re-clear or repaint, it’s just kicking the can down the road. Kinda like patching a leaky roof instead of replacing the shingles—you get a little more life, but you know it’s not a forever fix.
That bit about the clear coat thickness rings true.
I’ve seen it firsthand with my old Chevy—the paint basically turned to powder after a few summers, while my buddy’s Toyota parked right next to it looked decent years longer. Both were red, both outside, similar age. I’ve always wondered if part of it’s down to the specific shade, too. Like, is “Ford Red” actually built different than “Honda Milano Red”? Or is it just the chemistry behind the paint and clear?Some brands seem to cheap out on it, or maybe it’s just thinner on certain models.
Honestly, I’m not convinced washing and waxing make as big a difference as people claim, at least once the clear starts breaking down. I kept up with mine, but once the chalkiness set in, it was a losing battle. Anyone ever had success actually saving faded red paint long term, or is it always just a matter of time before you need a full repaint?
I’m not convinced washing and waxing make as big a difference as people claim, at least once the clear starts breaking down.
Had the same issue with my old Civic—kept it clean, waxed twice a year, but once the clear started going, it was just downhill. Tried polishing compounds, even some “restorer” stuff, but it only looked decent for a few weeks. In my experience, once that chalky look sets in, you’re just delaying the inevitable repaint. Maybe garage parking helps, but I never had that luxury.
Red paint is just cursed, I swear. My old Mazda had that “Soul Red” or whatever they called it—looked amazing for about three years, then the clear started peeling on the roof and hood. I babied that car, too. Washed it by hand, used decent wax, even tried those ceramic sprays people rave about. Didn’t matter. Once the clear started to haze up and flake, nothing really brought it back for more than a few weeks. Tried all the “miracle” products, but like you said, it’s just a band-aid.
I think a lot of these unique reds are more about marketing than durability. Every brand wants their own signature shade—Toyota’s “Barcelona Red,” Ford’s “Race Red,” etc.—but they all seem to fade or go chalky faster than other colors. Maybe it’s something about the pigments or how much sun exposure red absorbs? I’m not a chemist, but I’ve noticed red cars in my neighborhood always look rougher after a few years compared to silver or white ones.
Garage parking probably helps, but not everyone has that option (my driveway gets full sun most of the day). I’ve heard some people swear by those car covers, but honestly, who wants to deal with that every day? At some point you just accept that if you pick a flashy color, you’re signing up for extra maintenance—or an eventual respray.
If I ever buy another new car, I’m sticking with boring silver or gray. They might not turn heads, but at least they don’t turn pink after five years...
