Main paint problem list

Exterior problem
Fading/Poor Color Retention

Fading/Poor Color Retention: Premature and/or excessive lightening of the paint color, which often occurs on surfaces with sunny southern exposure. Fading/poor color retention can also be a result of chalking of the coating.

Possible Cause:

Use of an interior grade of paint for an outdoor application.

Use of a lower quality paint, leading to rapid degradation (chalking) of the paint film.

Use of a paint color that is particularly vulnerable to UV radiation (most notably, certain bright reds, blues and yellows).

Tinting a white paint not intended for tinting, or overtinting a light or medium paint base.

Solution: When fading/poor color retention is a result of chalking, it is necessary to remove as much of the chalk as possible (see Chalking). In repainting, be sure to use a quality exterior house paint in colors recommended for exterior use.