- Noticed the same thing with red paint—seems like some brands just can’t get it to last.
- Waxing helps, but I’m not convinced it’s the magic bullet. I’ve seen cars that were babied still end up with faded hoods.
- Wonder if it’s more about the paint formula than the maintenance. Some reds (especially older Mazdas and Toyotas) seem to go chalky faster, no matter what you do.
- Triple foam at the car wash is convenient, but I doubt it does much for long-term protection. I’ve tried it, but honestly, I can’t tell the difference between that and the basic wash.
- Curious if anyone’s actually compared different brands’ reds side by side over a few years? Like, is Honda’s “Milano Red” really any better than Mazda’s “Soul Red”?
- I’ve heard some manufacturers use single-stage paint on certain colors, which might explain why they fade quicker. Anyone know if that’s still a thing?
- My neighbor swears by ceramic coatings, but those are pricey and I’m skeptical about the real-world results.
- At the end of the day, I think some reds are just doomed to fade, no matter how much elbow grease you put in. Maybe it’s just the price you pay for a flashy color.
- Has anyone tried those touch-up kits or color restorers? Do they actually bring back the shine, or is it just a temporary fix?
I’ve wondered about those touch-up kits too. My brother tried one on his old Civic, but honestly, it just looked shinier for a couple weeks and then went back to dull. He’s convinced it’s all about the clear coat breaking down, especially if the car sits outside a lot. Has anyone actually managed to get a faded red looking good long-term without having to repaint? Sometimes I think the sun just wins in the end…
I’ve got a faded red Corolla that’s basically pink at this point, so I feel your pain. Tried one of those “restore” kits last summer—looked decent for maybe a month, then right back to chalky. I’m starting to think unless you’re willing to shell out for a pro respray, it’s just fighting a losing battle if your car lives outside. Has anyone actually had luck with those DIY clear coat sprays? Or is that just another short-term fix?
Man, red paint is cursed, I swear. My wife’s old Sentra went from cherry to “sunburned salmon” in about two summers. Tried the clear coat-in-a-can trick—looked shiny for a hot minute, then started peeling like a bad sunburn. Unless you’re parking in a garage or under a car cover, I think it’s just delaying the inevitable. I just embrace the “vintage patina” look at this point.
Red paint and the sun are basically frenemies. Here’s my patented three-step system for “embracing” the fade: 1) Pretend you’re into retro vibes, 2) Tell your friends it’s a custom finish, and 3) Park next to even worse paint jobs for comparison. Seriously though, does anyone actually know why red fades so much faster than, say, boring old silver? Is it just the pigment or are car companies using bargain-bin clear coat?
