You know what’s wild? I swear, every time I park next to a different make, their “red” looks like it’s from another planet. One’s fire engine, one’s brick dust, one’s cherry cough syrup. I get it—brands want their own “signature,” but man, I’d rather have a paint that holds up to the sun than some fancy shade that fades to pink in two summers. Reminds me of those “eco” roof coatings—great in theory, but half the time they look like someone smeared toothpaste up there after a year or two.
- Totally get what you mean about the reds. I’ve noticed the same thing in parking lots—some look almost orange, others like faded lipstick.
- Paint durability matters way more to me than the “signature” shade. I’ve seen cars turn weird shades after just a couple summers, especially if they’re parked outside.
- Reminds me of building paint too. We pick “unique” colors for curb appeal, but if it can’t handle sun or rain, it’s just more maintenance down the road.
- Not sure why they don’t standardize more. Is it just marketing, or are there real differences in how the paints hold up?
- Those eco roof coatings... yeah, I’ve seen some rooftops go from bright white to streaky greenish in no time. Looks rough.
Not sure why they don’t standardize more. Is it just marketing, or are there real differences in how the paints hold up?
I’ve wondered the same thing. Is it really that hard to just pick a red that doesn’t fade or turn into some weird salmon color after two summers? I get wanting your car or house to stand out, but I’d rather not repaint every few years just to keep it from looking patchy. Anyone else notice how touch-ups never match, either? Maybe it’s all about selling more paint, who knows...
It’s wild how much paint colors can change over time. I had a red shed out back that looked great when I first painted it—deep, kind of cherry red. Two summers later, it faded to this weird pinkish-orange, and the touch-up paint from the same brand didn’t even come close. I ended up repainting the whole thing just to get it looking halfway decent again.
Car paint seems even trickier. My neighbor’s red truck is only a few years old but already looks dull compared to newer models. Makes me wonder if it’s just cheaper pigments or something. I get that companies want their cars to look unique, but honestly, I’d trade a “signature” color for one that actually lasts more than a couple years without turning weird. Maybe some brands use better stuff, but from what I’ve seen, most reds don’t age well at all...
Car paint seems even trickier. My neighbor’s red truck is only a few years old but already looks dull compared to newer models. Makes me wonder if it’s just cheaper pigments or something.
I’ve been thinking about this exact thing since I moved in and started noticing how every car in the street has a slightly different “red.” It’s like they’re all trying to out-weird each other with names like “Inferno Scarlet” or “Ruby Fusion,” but then two years later, half of them look like faded ketchup. Here’s what I figured out after repainting my own mailbox (which, by the way, is now more coral than cherry):
Step 1: Pick a color you genuinely like, not just what’s trendy. Those “signature” reds are usually more about marketing than durability.
Step 2: Check if the paint has UV protection. This goes for cars and sheds—some paints actually have additives that help slow down fading, but you have to dig through the fine print or ask specifically for it. Most budget brands skip this part.
Step 3: Maintenance is a pain, but washing and waxing (or resealing for outdoor stuff) really does help keep colors from going weird. I thought it was overkill until my neighbor’s car started looking patchy and mine didn’t.
Step 4: Don’t trust touch-up paint to match after a year or two. Even if it’s the same brand and color code, sun and weather change things fast. I learned that one the hard way with my front door—now it’s got three different shades depending on where you look.
I do think some brands use better pigments, but honestly, red seems cursed no matter what. Maybe it’s something about how red fades faster (science folks could probably explain). At this point, I’d rather go with boring old gray than deal with another summer of watching my stuff turn pinkish-orange.
Anyway, if you ever figure out a red that actually stays red, let me know... until then, I’m sticking to neutrals for anything that sits outside longer than a week.
