Why Car Paint Fades — and How to Fix It

The main culprit: UV

Years of sunlight break down the pigment and lacquer, dulling the colour and, eventually, causing the clear coat to fail. Reds and dark colours tend to show it first.

Oxidation and neglect

Without occasional cleaning and protection, paint oxidises — that chalky, faded look. Bird mess and tree sap left on the surface accelerate it.

Bringing it back

Depending on how far it's gone, faded paint can sometimes be machine-polished back to life — but where the lacquer has failed, a respray is the lasting fix. We'll tell you honestly which yours needs. Bring it down for a look.