Hey fellow eco-warriors! 
I’ve been diving deep into the world of natural paints for my latest home renovation project. I’m particularly curious about how different natural paints hold up against sunlight over time. I’ve recently used Earthborn Claypaint in my living room, which boasts a beautiful matte finish and is free from VOCs, making it a breathable option for my walls. However, I’m a bit concerned about how it might fade, especially since the room gets a lot of natural light.
Previously, I experimented with Auro Natural Paints in a sun-drenched kitchen. Their plant-based formula was impressive, but I did notice some fading after a couple of years. It got me thinking about the balance between eco-friendliness and durability. I’m wondering if anyone else has had similar experiences or could recommend a natural paint brand that stands up well to sunlight without compromising on environmental values?
Also, how do you all approach the trade-off between the environmental benefits of natural paints and their longevity? Looking forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences!
Hey @EcoPainterJane, great topic! I’ve been using Earthborn Claypaint for a few years now, and I must say, the fading issue is minimal compared to other brands I’ve tried. My south-facing living room gets a ton of sunlight, and after two years, the color is still vibrant. It’s all about the preparation and application for me. I always make sure to use a good primer and apply two coats. Have you considered the role of primer in preventing fading?
3 Likes
I’ve had a different experience with Auro Natural Paints. Like you, I noticed some fading in my sunlit kitchen. However, I switched to Biofa Natural Paints for my next project, and the difference is night and day. Their UV protection seems to be superior, and the colors have remained vibrant even after three years. Maybe it’s worth giving them a try?
2 Likes
@GreenThumbGary, thanks for the tip about the primer! I did use a primer, but maybe I need to look into a different brand or type. Do you have any recommendations for primers that work well with Earthborn Claypaint?
1 Like
I’m all about Eco Paints for their durability and eco-friendliness. I painted my sunroom with their exterior paint, and it’s been three years with no noticeable fading. They use natural pigments and binders, which I think makes a big difference. Plus, their commitment to sustainability is unmatched. Has anyone else tried them?
4 Likes
Just to add, I found that applying a clear protective coat over Biofa Natural Paints helped a lot with the fading issue. It’s an extra step, but it’s worth it for the longevity. Maybe that could work with other brands too?
1 Like
I’ve been experimenting with making my own natural paints using clay, chalk, and natural pigments. It’s a fun project, and I’ve learned a lot about how different ingredients affect durability and fading. For example, adding a bit of linseed oil seems to help with UV resistance. Has anyone else tried DIY natural paints?
@LeafyLad, that sounds fascinating! I’ve never tried making my own paint, but I’m intrigued. Do you have any resources or recipes you could share? I’d love to give it a try on a smaller project.
2 Likes
I’ve had a similar experience with Earthborn Claypaint in my sunlit bedroom. The color has stayed pretty true over the years, but I did notice a slight fade in areas that get direct sunlight all day. I wonder if the type of color you choose plays a role in how much it fades. Lighter colors might fade less noticeably than darker ones. Has anyone else noticed this?
4 Likes
Interesting point about the primer. I used Auro Natural Paints in my home office, which gets a lot of light, and I didn’t use a primer. Maybe that’s why I saw more fading than I expected. I’m curious, does anyone have recommendations for eco-friendly primers that work well with natural paints? It seems like that could be a game-changer for durability.
3 Likes
I think the trade-off between eco-friendliness and durability is a tough one. I’ve been experimenting with different brands and found that some natural paints do better than others in sunlight. But I also think about the environmental impact of repainting more frequently. Maybe the solution is to find a balance, like using more durable natural paints in high-sun areas and saving the less durable ones for spaces that get less light. What do you all think about that approach?
2 Likes
Interesting to hear about Biofa Natural Paints. I’ve been using Eco Paints in my sunroom and have noticed minimal fading over two years. They claim to have a special formula that resists UV rays better than most. Maybe it’s worth comparing notes on these brands to see which holds up best in direct sunlight?
5 Likes
I’ve been on the fence about switching to natural paints because of the fading issue. But hearing about Biofa’s UV protection gives me hope. Has anyone tried mixing natural paints with a UV protective topcoat? I wonder if that could extend the life of the paint without compromising its eco-friendly qualities.
5 Likes
I used Earthborn Claypaint in my bedroom, which doesn’t get as much sun, and it’s held up beautifully. But I’m curious about using it in brighter rooms now. Maybe the fading is more about the amount of direct sunlight than the paint itself? Has anyone tested the same paint in different lighting conditions?
2 Likes
I’ve had a similar experience with Auro Natural Paints fading in sunlight. It’s frustrating because I love their eco-friendly approach. I’m going to look into Biofa Natural Paints based on your recommendation. Does anyone know if they offer a wide range of colors like Auro does?
1 Like
The trade-off between eco-friendliness and durability is a tough one. I’ve been experimenting with Lime Paint in my bathroom, which gets indirect sunlight, and it’s been great so far. It’s supposed to be more resistant to fading. Maybe the key is choosing the right type of natural paint for each room based on light exposure?
That’s really cool you’re making your own paints! I’ve dabbled a bit with DIY natural paints too, mostly using clay and natural pigments. I found that the fading really depends on the pigment. Some natural pigments are surprisingly UV resistant, while others fade pretty quickly. Have you tried using any specific pigments that you found worked well in sunlight?
3 Likes
I’ve been using Eco Paints for a while now, and I’ve noticed they hold up pretty well against sunlight. They’re not DIY, but they’re made from natural ingredients and have a good balance between eco-friendliness and durability. I painted my sunroom with it a couple of years ago, and the colors are still vibrant. Maybe worth checking out if you’re looking for something ready-made.
2 Likes
Interesting point about linseed oil. I’ve heard it can help with durability, but I’ve also read that it can yellow over time, especially in sunlight. Have you noticed any yellowing with your DIY paints? I’m curious because I’m considering trying my hand at making some natural paints for an outdoor project.
2 Likes
I think the trade-off between eco-friendliness and longevity is a tough one. I’ve been leaning towards natural paints for their environmental benefits, but I do worry about fading, especially in areas that get a lot of sun. It’s great to hear about your experiences with DIY paints. It makes me wonder if there’s a way to test UV resistance before committing to a large project. Maybe doing small test patches and observing them over time could be a good approach.
3 Likes