I'm just looking to replace my Mk1 octavia with a MkII and have found one I want. Only thing is it is Corrida red which I'm not too keen on and would be less so if it turned pink in 5 years time.

Does red still fade like it used to? I know vauxhalls still do!

Mark.

The trick always used to be to use Pledge to polish the car with - brings the red colour back! (God nows how much paint it gets rid of though!)

Your car then smells like a sideboard as well

Red will always fade but you can significatly reduce it by regular waxing.

That was the limited edition Astra in 'Primer Pink' IIRC

Even the clearcoat reds?

I thought the clearcoated red didn't fade (well some did, but most didn't).

My old MK I VRS bodywork never faded. The spolier did start to go after about 5 - 6 years. It came up fine for about 3 - 6 months between polishes.

Think this was down to the different painting techniques.

This is a shot of my red car. Its on a 56 plate so its coming up for 6 years old. No sign of fading.

In theory, now that everything seems to be painted in base coat with clear on top, since the advent of water based paints, red shouldn't be a problem. However I'm not altogether convinced.

Vauxhalls always seemed to be bad - our Posties little Corsa combo van looks like a matt red special and I don't think it's that old.

Red is a nice colour - I've had several and I haven't particularly noticed any VAG cars with problems. If I got red again, I would certainly keep it polished. Neglect and re-painted panels, (damage repairs) seem to be connected with red going flat.

These days, certainly with VAG red paint it's the appearance of the paint finish that's the issue. Given red's position in the UV range, more severe exposure of the clearcoat without sufficient protection will give the appearance of a pink finish on a red car, as you will have contamination covering the clearcoat. Simply because it's more apparent given that red is such a strong colour, and contamination on the clearcoat becomes visible to the naked eye - effectively as being a filter to the solid colour underneath.

In summary, I'd say you would need to give a modern red car slightly more attention, with respect to cleaning and wax protection, than say - silver. But then again, I'd argue it's a standard level of care you should be giving the car anyway!

Does that help?

Well put Steve!

Glad that made sense to someone else then, and not just in my head!

I will never ever have another red car! My car looked like a patchwork quilt, no matter what I did to try and make it look nice. Well renowned for fading apparently especially if it's solid paint.

Red doesn't fade nowadays.

Mine is 2 and a bit years old and still looks factory fresh. Just needs sealing and waxing occasionally as you would with any car.

The point is though a non red car doesn't need waxing or sealing to stop it from fading, but a red one does.

Not everyone wants to wax or seal a car.

The point is though a non red car doesn't need waxing or sealing to stop it from fading, but a red one does.

Not everyone wants to wax or seal a car.

I doubt a red car needs it either. Its just good practice. The only red I ever see faded is vauxhall ones. You never see any other make faded.

As per Nemtex's post just the rear spoiler has faded.

They all will if they have no clear coat (lacquer) on them I have seen / owned Ford, BMW, Nissan and Skoda's in red that have faded.

Waxed and they will be OK, left to their own devices and they will fade.

They all will if they have no clear coat (lacquer) on them I have seen / owned Ford, BMW, Nissan and Skoda's in red that have faded.

Waxed and they will be OK, left to their own devices and they will fade.

All new cars have a clearcoat on them afaik.

Red doesn't fade nowadays.

Mine is 2 and a bit years old and still looks factory fresh. Just needs sealing and waxing occasionally as you would with any car.

What do you use to seal it?

What do you use to seal it?

I just use AutoGlym Extra Gloss Protection and then Collinite 476s a couple of times a year.

I just use AutoGlym Extra Gloss Protection and then Collinite 476s a couple of times a year.

476 over the egp?

I have some 845 myself,

and some Harly wax.

Hmm

Might get some egp and top it with one of those. Your's looks good.

476 over the egp?

I have some 845 myself,

and some Harly wax.

Hmm

Might get some egp and top it with one of those. Your's looks good.

Yeah sealant then wax.

Cheers

Cheers for the input folks. A mate had a red escort whilst we were at uni and even with being waxed every few weeks it was going very pink! Hoping to keep it for a long old time if I get it. My current octy was bought by my dad new in 99, i've had it 6 years now and its still to put a foot wrong really, hopefully the new one will be just as good!

Mine has no fade issues on the main body

Only issues I have had is the spoiler.. as its plastic it soaks the polish right in.. so regular treatment keeps it nice