Fading / Poor color retention
(The loss of color due to exposure to light, heat or weathering). All color pigments will fade after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light. Fading/poor color retention can also be a result of chalking of the coating.
Fading
All color pigments will fade after prolonged exposure to ultraviolet light.
Possible causes
- Use of an interior grade of paint for an outdoor application.
- Use of lower quality paint, leading to rapid degradation (chalking) of the paint film.
- Use of a paint color that is particularly vulnerable to UV radiation (certain bright reds, blues, and yellows).
- Tinting a white paint not intended for tinting.
- Moisture behind the paint can leach pigment from the film.
- Alkali burns can contribute to fading.
Solution
- Once color has faded, the only solution is to repaint. When fading/poor color retention is a result of chalking, it is necessary to remove as much of the chalk as possible. In repainting, be sure to use quality exterior house paint in colors recommended for exterior use. On burned surfaces, scrape away as much of the paint as possible and spot prime the bare spots with an alkali-resistant primer.