I hear you on the tree sap—learned that lesson the hard way with my old Accord. Honestly, a cheap carport made a bigger difference for me than any fancy wax or coating. Red paint just seems to be cursed in the sun, no matter what brand. I guess if you love the color, you’ve just got to accept a little extra upkeep.
- Totally agree—red paint is notorious for fading, especially if you’re in a spot with a lot of direct sun.
- Carports or even a basic cover really do more than most people think. UV rays are the main culprit, not just sap or bird droppings.
- Noticed some brands use different clear coats too, which can help or hurt depending on quality.
- I’ve seen red paint oxidize faster on cars that sit outside all year, regardless of wax.
- If you’re dealing with tree sap, watch for roof runoff too—sometimes it’ll drip right onto your car even if you’re not parked under a tree directly.
- Honestly, unless you’re willing to polish and wax constantly, some fading is just part of the deal with red.
Carports or even a basic cover really do more than most people think. UV rays are the main culprit, not just sap or bird droppings.
That’s spot on. I manage a lot with open parking, and the red cars always look the roughest after a couple summers—doesn’t matter if it’s a fancy sports car or a basic sedan. The sun just eats that color alive. I’ve seen tenants try everything—wax, ceramic coatings, you name it—but unless they’re parking under cover, the fading’s inevitable. Honestly, I wish more folks would invest in a simple carport or even one of those portable covers. It’s not perfect, but it makes a real difference over a few years.
Red paint really does seem to take the worst beating from the sun. I’ve noticed it too—especially on older Mazdas and Hondas, but even the newer ones aren’t immune. Here’s what I usually suggest to folks who want to keep their car looking decent:
First, if you can swing it, get some kind of cover up, even if it’s just one of those pop-up tents. Doesn’t have to be fancy. The difference in fading is huge over a couple years. Second, regular washing helps more than people think—dust and grime actually speed up the UV damage. Third, if you’re using wax or ceramic coatings, make sure you’re reapplying as often as the product says. A lot of people forget that part.
One thing I’ll add—some brands’ reds seem to hold up better than others. Not sure if it’s the pigment or clear coat formula, but I’ve seen Toyotas keep their color longer than Fords in the same lot. Maybe it’s just luck... or maybe some reds are just tougher than others? Either way, a little shade goes a long way.
One thing I’ll add—some brands’ reds seem to hold up better than others. Not sure if it’s the pigment or clear coat formula, but I’ve seen Toyotas keep their color longer than Fords in the same lot.
That’s funny, I’ve noticed the same thing in our parking lot. We’ve got a couple of older Civics and a Camry that park out front, both red, and the Honda’s starting to look pretty pink while the Toyota still looks decent. I always figured it was just luck or maybe how often they wash them, but maybe there’s something to the paint formulas.
I do think the shade itself matters too. Some reds are almost orange, some are deep maroon, and some are that bright fire-engine color. I remember my neighbor’s old Ford Ranger—looked great for a few years, then suddenly it was all faded and patchy. Meanwhile, my cousin’s Subaru (that weird cherry red) held up way better, even though he never washed it.
Covers help, but honestly, most folks in our building just don’t bother unless they’ve got a classic or something special. I wish more people realized how much difference a little shade or regular wash can make.
