5. Can a clear coat fade?

[Mike Phillips]

From Meguiar's *NEW* FAQ

5. Can a clear coat fade?

The word fade means to:

"Lose color or brightness gradually."

Technically speaking, since the clear coat has no color, it cannot fade or lose it's brightness (at least if we use the above definition).

It can however become dull, but that's not the same as fading and is more typically a sign of oxidation and the build up of above surface contaminants. (See in this FAQ – Can a clear coat oxidize?)

Now lets ask the above question in just a little different way.

Can the color coat below the clear coat fade?

In short, the answer is yes, however, it depends upon the environment in which the car is exposed.

• * A car parked inside most of its life, far away from the equator will not show much sign of fading.
  
  * A car continually parked outside in a desert region close to the equator will fade more quickly and the results will be more apparent over time because of the increased exposure to UV rays.

While these answers are technically correct, the non-technical answer to the question, "Can a clear coat fade?", is yes, but very slowly. So slowly that most people cannot perceive any visual change over the course of normal day-to-day living or during the length of the ownership of their car.

[tuan92129]

Re: 5. Can a clear coat fade?

I have a 12 year old diamond pearl white lexus, and the paint seems 'yellow' compared to the paint in the door jambs/behind the license plate area. The car has been clayed and waxed. Does the clear coat yellow over time like some plastics do? or does the paint yellow?

[Murr1525]

Re: 5. Can a clear coat fade?

Have you used a paint cleaner on the paint as well? It is most likely just dirt, which the inner paint wont have been exposed to.

Clear coat shouldnt yellow either, though it can get cloudy if it starts to fail.

[JOCKTHEGLIDE]

Re: 5. Can a clear coat fade?

is there way to minimize the fade over time or is that something we cant stop? Say a guy waxes his car monthly living in the desert vs a guy waxing his car twice/year in the desert would the guy waxing montly have less fade?

[Markus Kleis]

Re: 5. Can a clear coat fade?

I have a 12 year old diamond pearl white lexus, and the paint seems 'yellow' compared to the paint in the door jambs/behind the license plate area. The car has been clayed and waxed. Does the clear coat yellow over time like some plastics do? or does the paint yellow?

A 12 year old Lexus *might* be a single stage paint. Have you ever tested to see if the paint does indeed have a clearcoat?

Either way, it is possible that the paint or clearcoat has some oxidation or surface contaminant build-up that could be remedied with light to medium polishing, following by a rejuvenation of the paint by a glaze like #7, and finally sealed with a wax of choice.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: 5. Can a clear coat fade?

is there way to minimize the fade over time or is that something we cant stop? Say a guy waxes his car monthly living in the desert vs a guy waxing his car twice/year in the desert would the guy waxing monthly have less fade?

My understanding is that waxes or sealants don't really offer much, if anything in terms of true "UV" protection. However, keeping a paint well waxed will help to keep essential oils in the paint which may help to reduce the dulling of paint.

Minor fade should not be a major concern though, as even light polishing with Meguiar's #83 or #80 should be able to remove the small layer of "faded" paint and restore a bright and glossy finish.