Fading & Poor Colour Retention

Paints fade for all sorts of reasons and given Ireland's unusual climate, paint fading and bad colour retention on exterior paint are two of the most common matters which we are asked to investigate.

We paint surfaces for several reasons, the two key reasons are to provide an acceptable aesthetic appearance and to protect the surface from the elements. Paint fading and poor colour retention causes premature and/or excessive lightening of the paint colour, which often occurs and is more pronounced on sunny South facing exposure. 

There are several possible causes to this.....

• Chalking, the excessive formation of fine powder on the surface of the paint film (more about chalking in next weeks blog).

•The use of an interior paint for an exterior application. Quality exterior paints are formulated to resist both rain, cold and the degrading effects of UV light.

• Low quality exterior paints with the associated low price point. 

• Paints, in particular reds, blues and yellows where the organic pigments are vulnerable to degradation. Inorganic pigments such as iron and chrome oxides offer much better exterior colour retention.  

• Tinting exterior white paints that are not intended for tinting.

So what is the solution and is there a solution?

When paint fading occurs, and the previously attractive paint film loses its appeal, there is a remedy. The first thing to do is to wash the surface with a dilute bleach solution. As soon as it is fully dry, remove any loose paint and repaint the surface. In repainting, be sure to use a good quality exterior paint, applied in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. We are experts in the technology of paints. Feel free to contact us.