Paint Tip Tuesday - Color Fade

What causes paint to fade? Many people think it is caused by the paint in itself. In truth it is caused by consistent UV exposure. There are 2 types of UV lighting that can cause paint to break down. The first is known as UV-A radiation which causes cracking in the film because it breaks down the resins over time. The second is UV-B radiation which causes color fade and discoloration.

There are other factors that cause paint to fade. This has to do with the color type chosen as well as the colorants used to mix the paint. Many of us are aware to mix a can of paint we start with a white base and add colorants to achieve the desired color. However colors that do not have a lot of depth to them like yellows, oranges and reds when used to make that color will fade faster. Sometimes these pigments have a reaction when exposed to the elements causing color fade.

When choosing a color if you notice there is an "I" symbol on the paint chip this color is recommended for interior only, due to color fade. The colorants or the color itself will fade much faster due to UV exposure. Lastly to fix color fade, first you want to check to make sure the surface is not chalky. You do this by rubbing your hand against the surface and if a chalk like substance appears you must wash off as much of the chalk as possible before priming and painting. Keep in mind some extra ways to prevent color fade are to buy premium quality paints as they will have higher quality resins and binders ensuring your paint will last longer saving you time and money.