Had a red Mazda years ago—same deal. Looked great at first, then faded fast, especially on the roof and hood. I tried clay bar, polish, wax... nothing really stopped it. I think it’s partly the red pigment, but honestly, some brands just cheap out on clear coat. If you’re parked outside a lot, it’s almost impossible to keep that deep red look for long.
Red paint just seems cursed, doesn’t it? I’ve seen the same thing on trucks and even a buddy’s old Mustang—roof and hood go chalky way before the rest. Is it really just the pigment, or is it more about how much sun those flat panels get? Makes me wonder if car makers ever test their paint in real-world parking lots, or just in a lab somewhere. I mean, roofs take a beating—same as with shingles. Maybe they should borrow some tricks from roofing coatings...
Gotta push back a bit on the idea that it’s just about the pigment. I mean, yeah, red’s notorious for fading, but those flat panels—like hoods and roofs—are basically sun magnets. You mentioned:
“Maybe they should borrow some tricks from roofing coatings...”
Honestly, there’s something to that. Roofing coatings are designed to handle brutal UV day in and day out, but car paints seem way more focused on gloss and color than longevity. Still, even the toughest roof coatings chalk out after enough years in the sun—just look at any old white membrane or metal roof.
I’m not convinced automakers ignore real-world testing, though. They do those Arizona desert tests and all that, but nothing matches years of sitting in a Walmart parking lot. Maybe it’s less about tech and more about what buyers care about—shiny over tough. If people demanded longer-lasting reds, the companies would probably figure it out... but most folks just trade up before the paint gets bad.
That’s a good point about the Walmart parking lot test—real life is way harsher than any lab. Makes me wonder, though: if car makers did use more of those UV-resistant additives from roofing, would people even notice? Or would they just complain the finish looks “dull” compared to the showroom shine? I’ve seen some roof coatings that last forever but look pretty chalky after a while... Maybe it’s a tradeoff most folks don’t want?
- Seen this with building paints too—UV blockers help, but yeah, they can make things look a bit flat over time.
- Most tenants here notice fading way before they’d ever complain about a “dull” finish. People want shiny, even if it doesn’t last.
- Chalky coatings last, but they’re not winning any beauty contests. I’d bet car buyers would grumble if their new ride lost that gloss after a year.
- It’s always a tradeoff... durability vs. looks. Not sure most folks would pick the longer-lasting option if it meant their car looked old faster.
