Are you planning to buy a car with red paint because it is your favorite color? , you may have heard people talking about how cars with red paint fade faster.
You may be wondering whether this is a myth or if there is some truth to it. Well, all car paint colors fade with time. However, some colors fade faster than others with red being one of them.
Unlike other color pigments, red paint reflects red light. For this to happen it must absorb green, blue, and UV light.
These shorter wavelengths of light often have a greater energy and bleach paint pigments more than other colors. This is the reason why cars with red paint fade faster.
Compared to its counterparts such as silver and white which reflect blue light, cars with such colors often fade slower than those with red.
Please refrain from the common myth that there are traces of iron oxide in red color pigments and that is the cause of rust. If there were iron oxide in red car paint, it would be oxidized and the paint wouldn’t fade faster.
With the above information in mind, if you love a red car, then the fact that it fades faster than other colors shouldn’t prevent you from getting such a car.
Red is a beautiful color. And having it on your car doesn’t just showcase your bold personality, it also enhances the aesthetics of your vehicle.
Below, we are going to share ways on how you can prolong your red car paint as well as look at other color options and how they hold up their paint.
Which Color Paint Fades the Fastest?
Out of all the colors, red has been in the spotlight for being the paint that fades the fastest.
If you take two cars, one with white and another with red paint, and expose them to the same environmental conditions, both will fade at the same rate. However, our eyes respond differently to colors on the spectrum.
White has no pigment and its fade won’t be as visible or noticeable as the one on black or red cars. This is why most people think that white color car paint lasts longer than red or black ones.
For a car owner interested in buying a vehicle that will experience a lot of UV light exposure and other elements that promote the fading of car paint, your odds are better when you buy a white car.
White isn’t only easy to notice when its paint fades, but it is easier to clean and maintain.
How Does the Sun Contribute to the Fading of Red Car Paint?
The number one enemy for the red car owners is the sun. UV light is the biggest cause of fading in car paint. Ultraviolet light, though invisible, is one of the most powerful types of light.
And it doesn’t just damage the car paint, but our skin as well as other components of the car like the dashboard and upholstery are at risk of UV damage.
For car owners who live or drive around areas with hot climates, you should expect your car to be exposed to excessive UV rays.
This is why you should invest in shade or if the parking lot at your place of work is bare, better leave your car at home and choose another means of transport.
As mentioned earlier, when the sun’s UV rays hit your car, the surface becomes hot. And even though car paint adheres strongly to the surface of the vehicle.
With time, the heat loosens up the particles in your car paint resulting in fading or discoloration. UV rays have a way of heating the paint molecules till they are no longer able to reflect light as they previously did when the car was new.
Even though some car colors such as red are more susceptible to fading, all car owners need to take the necessary measures to safeguard their vehicles from harmful UV rays.
Below, we are going to list some of the ways you can ensure your red car retains its paint for longer.
How to Protect Your Car from Sun Damage?
If you don’t want your red car paint to fade, then you need to step up and kick your preventative tactics a notch higher. Remember, the fading of paint is irreversible.
And once your car loses its color then there is no going back. You will have to engage in some unnecessary paint correction activities which can set you back a couple of hundred dollars.
To avoid all that, here is what you should do to protect your car paint from fading;
• Ensure your car is always clean
Most soon-to-be car owners think that washing a vehicle is all about retaining its aesthetics but there is more to it than that.
The effects of sun damage are significantly accelerated when there are contaminants on the car’s surface. A good example is salt.
When you park your car under the sun and there is a considerable amount of salt on your car’s surface, it acts as a catalyst for the UV rays. Fading will be accelerated. To stop that from happening, wash your car regularly.
• Always leave your car under a shade
Unfortunately, because trees are very hard to come by nowadays, as a car owner you need to find an appropriate source of shade for your vehicle.
The most obvious thing is to build a garage in your home. This will be fantastic especially if your car mostly stays at home. Alternatively, you can build a shade near your home if there is no space for a garage.
When you go to work, don’t leave your vehicle under the sun. It will mess with your paint job. Look for a spot with a shade.
• Use car protective films
Car protective films can offer a higher level of protection to your vehicle. It’s not always when you will find a parking spot with shade.
Now, if you have a car with delicate paint such as the red one, you need to find a more advanced method of protecting your vehicle.
Filming provides a coating that reflects the sun’s UV rays. The good thing about these films is that they allow your red paint to shine through.
People won’t even realize that it has been filmed. These films also protect the paint from contaminants and other things that may damage it.
• Car waxing
Waxing, though not as thorough as filming your car is, also offers a significant amount of protection.
Wax adds another layer to your car paint, therefore, when the sun rays bounce on the surface, they don’t directly hit the paint. Waxing regularly can promote the life of your car paint for a long period.
What are Some of the Myths Revolving Around Red Car Paint and Fading?
For those who already own red cars, you have probably heard some people say that red paint fades faster than any other color.
It isn’t the best color to have on your car. These are all myths that have been propagated by people who are poorly informed about car paints.
All colors fade at the same rate when exposed to similar conditions. It’s only that fading in red paint is more visible than in others.
Another popular myth is that once your car paint fades, there is no other option than to give it a re-spray. This is not entirely true.
There are a couple of things you can do with faded car paint. Some waxes can restore your paint’s shine and finish. This is the first thing car owners should do when they realize that their car paint has faded.
If waxing doesn’t restore your paint job, buffing accompanied by waxing can also give you better results.
Does Red Hide Scratches?
Other than fading scratches are another common thing that most car owners have to deal with. Red paint does not hide scratches at all. It makes them very visible.
If you want a car that can hide scratches, pick one with white or silver color. These two have a way of making fading and scratches less visible. It’s also worth mentioning that these two are easier to maintain and clean than all other colors.
Should I know other things about the different colors you can have on your car? Yes!
When it comes to the resale value of a car, silver and white have a higher resale value.
This is not the case with red, brown, and green. People tend to be very choosy about car colors. Some prefer bold and shouting colors, whereas others crave something more subtle.
As an individual, you need to evaluate what your preferences are before buying a car.
With there being more white, silver, and black cars on the road, you can either join the community of common color car owners. Or, you can go with something unique like red. The choice is entirely yours.