Red or White Mk6 GTI? Does Red still Fade?

**elisiX** · 03-02-2010, 02:44 PM

I dont think fading of a red vehicle is anything like as bad as it once was 10 years back.

I'd love to see people pictures though all the same.

I think the main issue with red/white is that you can usually tell the difference from the metal to plastic.

Just looks different.

**prise** · 03-02-2010, 05:24 PM

The pigment in red paint is inherently more susceptible to fading because to appear red it has to absorb the light at the green and blue part of the spectrum. As the wavelength of the light gets smaller (moving from red to green to blue and into UV) the amount of energy and its ability to cause damage increases, hence red paint is absorbing more of the damaging light than blue paint for example and will always be at some disadvantage compared to other colors.

I've had a couple of red cars, but they were both garaged and polished twice a year so no problems with fading, but I've seen enough faded reds around that I wouldn't buy a red car if if was planning to keep it as a long termer and it was going to be parked in the sun all day.

I would expect that VW would have a clearcoat over the solid colour which should provide better UV protection so it should resist fading better than the solid reds of yesteryear - the question is how much better?

**Guy_H** · 04-02-2010, 09:19 AM

Red is faster, so fading doesn't worry me as much a having the fastest car

Anyway, we have had 4 red cars in a row (starting with 99' GTI), all looked after, washed & polished & never had any hint of fading. White is nice but a lot harder to keep clean than red!

**Corey_R** · 04-02-2010, 09:42 AM

Pfft to white and silver

Seriously... why would you want to look like veryone else who's just picking a 'safe' colour for resale - or many 'corporate fleet' cars who don't get a choice?!

Be an individual! Pick a colour which represents your personality! I'm you're all more interesting than white!

**iBoost** · 04-02-2010, 11:13 AM

I had a red fire engine red 3 MPS, about the brightest red I've seen on the road short of a Ferrari. Only had it for 3 years, but as long as it's washed regularly and polished twice a year I think it will be fine. It is true that red fades easier, but as long as you take care of it I wouldn't worry too much. The point at which it fades is probably going to be 8 - 10 years down the track, which likely by then it will be on to it's second or third owner.

I resent those white comments Corey!

In all seriousness, it comes down to personal preference. I've had a black 200sx, bright blue 206 GTi 180 and bright red 3 MPS. I think white looks really good on certain cars like the GTI. I wouldnt order white on a Falcon or Corolla though as it'd look like a rental car.

**Corey_R** · 04-02-2010, 11:49 AM

lol - yeah iBoost, I'm just stirring the pot. Sometimes you don't have a great selection of colours and you just have to make do. I don't like black cars, yet I'm currently driving a Black Magic Pearl Effect coloured Polo GTI as when I asked my VW dealer to get me a low-K's near-new Polo GTI, that's what came up!

**Hail** · 04-02-2010, 07:16 PM

I got a red GTI and I love it... Looks exactly like the red 3 door with Detroit rims on the GTI brochure.

**Glennb** · 05-02-2010, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by coreying

Pfft to white and silver

Seriously... why would you want to look like veryone else who's just picking a 'safe' colour for resale - or many 'corporate fleet' cars who don't get a choice?!

Be an individual! Pick a colour which represents your personality! I'm you're all more interesting than white!

Can i have mine in Beige??