Why Your Product Color Fades in Sunlight (And How to Prevent It)

Color fading is one of the most common complaints in plastic, paint, and coating products.

A product may look perfect during manufacturing, but after a few weeks of outdoor exposure, it starts turning dull, chalky, or pale.

Most manufacturers assume the raw material or weather caused the issue — but in reality, the main reason is incorrect pigment selection.

What is Color Fading?

Color fading occurs when pigments break down due to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sunlight.

Sunlight contains high-energy UV rays that attack the chemical structure of colorants.When the pigment is not UV stable, it slowly loses its ability to reflect the original color.

This results in:

• Loss of brightness

• Shade change

• Whitening or chalking

• Uneven appearance

Why It Happens

1. Low Lightfastness Pigments

Not all pigments are designed for outdoor use.

Indoor grade pigments degrade quickly under sunlight exposure.

2. Wrong Pigment Type for Application

Many manufacturers unknowingly use general-purpose pigments in outdoor products like:

• Water tanks

• Plastic chairs

• Pipes

• Exterior paints

• Automotive parts

Outdoor products always require weather-resistant pigments.

3. High Temperature + Sunlight Combination

Heat accelerates UV degradation.

This is why products in hot regions fade much faster than in cooler climates.

4. Insufficient Pigment Loading

Too little pigment reduces UV protection capacity, making polymer vulnerable to sunlight damage.

How to Prevent Color Fading

Use High Lightfastness Pigments

Outdoor applications require pigments with high lightfastness ratings.

They maintain color even after prolonged sunlight exposure.

Proper Dispersion

Well-dispersed pigments provide uniform UV protection across the product surface

Correct Dosage

Optimized pigment loading improves durability and extends product life.

Indoor vs Outdoor Pigments (Quick Guide)

Application	Recommended Pigment Grade
Household items	Standard grade
Toys	Medium lightfastness
Furniture	High lightfastness
Water tanks	Weather resistant
Pipes	UV stabilized
Automotive parts	High performance grade

Color stability is not just about aesthetics - it reflects product quality and brand reliability.

Using the right pigment prevents complaints, returns, and reputation damage.

At Arka Pigments, we help manufacturers select pigments based on actual usage conditions, ensuring long-lasting and consistent color performance.