Does the Barcelona Red Paint Hold -Up?

I have a Gen II '08, she has shine like a new baby's skin. Unless Toyota changes paint quality, Red is fine.
Come to think of it, I have never seen a faded Barcelona Red Prius. I kinda look out for that kind of thing.
My Red Rocks!

 

I second that on my 2010

 

I know this is probably apples and oranges but my wife's car (2011 Corolla) has the Barcelona Red and it is just over a year and looks terrible. Swirls, chips, etc. My three year old BP prius looks wonderful.

Now I know the Corolla is made/painted in Canada so there may be a difference in the paint quality/process. If they offered BP on the Corolla I would have gotten it.

 

Fundamentally, red paint fades faster than blue because red paint/pigment has to absorb all the higher-energy photons to look red. Blue paint/pigment absorbs all the lower energy photons to look blue, so it lasts longer.

 

Well close, I am sure Doc Willie will support me on this, because red paint/pigment has to absorb all the higher-energy photons if you are going to recharge the DiLithium crystals, save the whales, and make it home in time to get a medal!

 

The problem is red oxidizes fast.. if you don't protect the paint, it's gonna go real quick...

 

I think that the faded red paint jobs are more noticeable than other colors. Kinda hard to see a faded white, silver, or gold paint jobs. You have to take care of the car (wash regularily with proper car soap, wax a few times a year to reduce the fading effect of the sun. You are rewarded with a beautiful, bright and shiny car. White, silver, and gold can't compare to it.

 

Red fades faster because red cars go faster. Simple.

 

Red unz definitely go fasta!

 

Red also attracts more police attention.

 

And are more likely to be involved in an accident.

 

Back to Barcelona Red durability...
When we bought a Barcelona red gen III three years ago the dealer said the paint had a UV-resistant clearcoat finish that would protect against fading (I assume all Prii come with this). He appears to have been correct - other than pock-marks from driving 75000 miles on our wonderful New Mexico rocky roads, the paint is still shiny and the same hue as the touch-up paint we got when we bought the vehicle. Caveats:
1. Wax the vehicle 1-2 times/year with UV resistant wax
2 When not driven, park in a garage or in the shade (tree sap is another issue)
3. Regularly remove bug carcasses with a good paint-safe solvent from auto supply store (soap, water, and elbow grease will do the same thing).