Meanwhile, my buddy’s red Civic faded so bad it looked sunburnt.
That’s interesting—my neighbor’s old maroon sedan had the same issue, while their silver car still looks new. I’ve always wondered if it’s just the pigments or if certain brands cheap out on UV protection in the clear coat. Maybe it’s a combo? Either way, you’re right, some colors just seem to last way longer. Makes me rethink picking a bold color for anything that sits outside a lot...
Yeah, red cars really do seem to take the worst beating from the sun. My cousin’s bright blue hatchback faded too, but nothing like his old cherry red truck—looked like a pink eraser after a few summers. I guess silver and white are just less dramatic about it. Makes me glad I went with boring gray, honestly.
looked like a pink eraser after a few summers
That’s pretty much what happened to my neighbor’s Mustang—one year it was this deep, shiny red, and now it’s got that weird sun-bleached salmon vibe. I swear, red cars age faster than bananas on the kitchen counter. I used to think it was just because people don’t wax their cars enough, but I’ve seen plenty of neglected white cars that just look a little dirty, not like they’ve been left in the microwave.
I went with silver myself, mostly because it hides dirt (and the fact that I’m lazy about washing). But now I’m wondering, is there actually a reason every brand’s “red” is so different? Some look like fire trucks, some are almost burgundy, and then there’s that orangey red you see on certain SUVs. Is it just so you can spot your car in a parking lot, or do car companies think their version of red is going to be the one that finally doesn’t fade into oblivion?
I get the appeal of a flashy color, but between the fading and how every scratch shows up like a neon sign, I’ll stick with my “boring” silver. Still, I do sometimes wish I’d gone for something with a little more personality. Does anyone actually regret picking a neutral color, or is it just me getting paint envy when I see those bright new cars drive by?
I went with white on my last car for the same reason—hides dust, looks cleaner longer, and honestly, I didn’t want to deal with touch-ups. But yeah, seeing those deep reds and blues roll by sometimes makes me wish I’d taken a risk. Then again, my neighbor’s bright red sedan faded so fast it looked like two different cars depending on which side got more sun. I guess the neutral colors are just a safer bet long-term, especially if you park outside like me.
my neighbor’s bright red sedan faded so fast it looked like two different cars depending on which side got more sun.
That’s wild, but I’ve seen the same thing—red seems to fade way faster than other colors. I’ve always wondered if the different shades each brand uses have something to do with how well they hold up in sunlight? Or maybe it’s just the paint quality. Does anyone know if those fancy “metallic reds” last longer, or is it all the same story in the end?