We get 300+ days of sunshine a year here in Colorado, and the south sides of homes take the biggest beating. Because of that, darker colors will fade faster. That’s not poor workmanship—that’s physics.

If you’re set on a dark color, we strongly recommend using the highest-quality paint available to slow down fading. Even then, dark colors require more maintenance over time. When possible, lighter shades are the safer, longer-lasting option.

Why Dark Colors Fade Faster (The Part Most People Don’t Know)

On a basic level, darker colors are more photosensitive than lighter colors. They absorb more of the sun’s energy, which causes the resin in the paint to break down faster.

On a deeper level, paint is made up of two main components:

  • Pigment – the color

  • Resin – the protective, durable part of the paint

Most paint starts as a can of resin and becomes a color only after tint dye is added. Dark colors require a lot more tint, which creates a problem.

Paint bases come in different types:

  • Light bases – almost full, very little room for tint

  • Deep bases – less paint, much more room for tint

The darker the color, the more tint has to be added. That means:

  • Less actual paint in the can

  • More dye and less protective resin

  • Reduced durability

This is why fading happens—and why even premium paints struggle with dark colors, especially in intense sun. The ratio of tint to protective paint just isn’t in your favor.

The Good News

If you’re absolutely committed to a dark color and don’t plan on repainting anytime soon, there are ways to improve longevity:

  • Full prime + top-tier paint
    A full prime creates a fresh, uniform surface and improves adhesion, which slows the breakdown of the resin in the new paint.

  • Base selection matters
    If a color is borderline dark, we can sometimes have it made in a medium base instead of a deep base, which significantly improves durability and lifespan.

Conclusion

If your goal is maximum longevity and long-term savings, lighter colors win every time.

If your top priority is getting the exact color you love, and you understand the maintenance trade-off…
well—YOLO 😄
We’ll just make sure it’s done the right way.