[rip-tide]

Over the years it has been said the RED color always fades to pink over time.

With today's modern chemistry has that changed? Is red today still the same red 10 years later.

More specific Fords Race Red and Rapid Red 2020 Mustang GT

All opinions accepted

Pep

[astroracer]

Who can say? A 2020 paint color hasn't had "10 years" to age so how do you judge how much it will "fade"?
Spray the color you want, don't worry about fading. If you keep the paint clean and polished it will not fade to any great extent. A car that is not maintained is more likely to fade then one that is...
Mark

[idrivejunk]

Red is a primary color. Formulas contain little else but red. In nature, red pigments are weakest. So it will always be the most fade prone (and expensive) color family. Clearcoat has done much to improve color holdout. Some red toners are less colorfast than others. Manufacturers of refinish paint consider 7 years to be the maximum warranteeable amount of time their product should be expected to look the same.

All that is fact but just fluffy ones. The relevant fact is the quality of the paint. Shoot something with minimal coverage of cheap single stage and toss it outdoors? Expect pink soon. Shoot it with big name base clear and apply enough for true full hiding coverage, keep it in a garage, and you may never percieve a change as long as you live.

You haven't quite provided enough info so a blanket statement is best I can do. Mark gave it to you straight. Most guys don't give much thought to red fading these days because products have improved to a point of it being a non-issue.

[rip-tide]

Thank you both for a reasoned response, details ask for are.

2020 Mustang paint post, is regarding a Ford factory applied color.

When I purchased a 99 Silverodo, black . Also ordered the 5 book GM service manuals.

Found in them, 3M was the applied paint, and suggesting 3M was to be used to maintain the quality of the finish.

Using the 3M wash & polish, the truck today. Color shows no signs of fade, even, looks like it was when new.

I am on the same page regarding care. Mostly curious if Red would or could be kept as well.

I like the contrast that a Red with black accents, vents wheels and so on reflects.

The Molly blue lacks the same degree of contrast .. to my eye

Pep

[idrivejunk]

My response was in reference to plain solid red. My bad. The full name of Rapid Red is "Rapid Red metallic tinted clearcoat". Thats another matter entirely.

In my opinion, chances are good that if cared for you'll get an easy ten years out of that and never see pink.

E9 Laser Red was popular on 90s Mustangs. The foundation color was a pink metallic and the "candy" layer was a translucent and metallic dark red. Look at those to see how that sort of paint job holds out. Three stage colors are not going to be available in B grade paint qualities, so its gonna be high but should last well.

If you gotta have the visually captivating glow effect of a three stage color, you not only add expense and labor initially but the price and complexity of repairs pretty much doubles. My take on three step colors is that the appearance does not justify the trouble and expense for most folks. Regular two stage pearl colors are plenty good enough. If the candy look is desired, I believe the traditional approach is best. Thats a silver or gold metallic covered by a dyed or tinted clear.

So my advice is to shop around (not on a computer screen but in person because the "effect" is a firsthand-only perception) for something that suits you but is not a three stage color, use good paint, and disregard the fade concern. I always kinda liked Wild Strawberry, among Ford metallic / pearl reds. It was popular on 90s pickups. All the 3 step bright reds are, to me, failed attempts at making a metallic that is true red like a solid can be. They miss that mark and only look bright red where they face strong sunlight.

[Scooting]

Painted 1985, 34 years ago - no clear coat like my 2000 Gm products which are peeling.
Not a high dollar paint job, driver quality - has 280,000 miles on it now.
I don't think I will ever be a fan of modern factory paints.