How to retain gloss in paints and coatings in outdoor applications?

Last update on Jan 14, 2026

Gloss retention refers to a coating's ability to maintain its shine and luster over time. It is a crucial indicator of a coating's durability, especially in aesthetic applications. Loss of gloss can make a painted surface appear dull and faded, reducing its visual appeal. As the coating degrades, its ability to protect the underlying surface from dirt, moisture, and other environmental elements also diminishes.

What can cause loss of gloss?

Three factors attributed to the loss of gloss are:

 

  1. UV radiations from the sun: The high energy rays can split the polymer chains of the binder into smaller and smaller fragments until they simply ‘disappear’. This degradation of the binder eventually results in the loss of gloss and the release of free pigment on the paint surface – commonly known as chalking.

 

 

Decrease of gloss of the samples exposed to 14 days of UV radiation, moisture and spray accelerated weathering2

 

 

  1. Dirt pick-up on the surface of the coatings.
  2. Binder break down caused due to hydrolysis: This is caused due to the presence of ester bonds.

 

Formulation strategies

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References
  1. (2009). Sun Strokes. Resene.
  2. Lisci, Sitzia, Pires, Mirao. (2022). Building stones durability by UVA radiation, moisture and spray accelerated weathering. ResearchGate.