ACP cladding · Facades

ACP colour fading in Gurgaon: why cladding goes dull and what you can do

ACP fades when its paint coating can't take the sun: polyester-coated panels chalk and lose colour within a few years on south- and west-facing walls, while PVDF-coated panels hold colour much longer. Cleaning revives dull panels; truly faded panels can only be replaced or over-coated.

Updated 8 October 2026Gurugram & Noida

Shop facade clad in coloured aluminium composite panels

A bright red or blue ACP shopfront on Gurugram's MG Road or in a Noida Sector 18 market looks sharp on opening day. A few summers later, some fronts look washed out, chalky to the touch and patchy, with one panel darker than its neighbour. For a business, a faded facade quietly says the place is tired. Here's what's happening and what you can do.

The short answer

Aluminium composite panel (ACP) gets its colour from a factory-applied coating on the aluminium skin. Strong UV breaks that coating down. Cheaper polyester coatings chalk and fade fastest; PVDF (fluorocarbon) coatings resist UV for far longer. Dirt and pollution make any panel look dull too, and that part is fixable with cleaning.

Why ACP fades and goes patchy

Coating grade

This is the biggest factor. Panels with polyester coatings are cheaper and fine indoors, but outdoors in NCR sun they lose gloss and colour quickly. Exterior facades should use PVDF-coated panels.

Facing and exposure

South- and west-facing walls take the most sun. You'll often see one side of a building fading while the north side still looks new.

Panels from different batches

If panels were replaced later or bought in two lots, colours can differ slightly from the start, and they age differently, causing patchiness.

Protective film left on

ACP ships with a protective film. If it's left on for months in the sun, it bakes on and leaves patchy marks when finally peeled.

Harsh cleaning

Abrasive pads, strong solvents or acidic cleaners strip the coating. Pressure washers held too close damage it too.

Pollution and dust film

Much of the 'fading' on NCR facades is a grey film of dust and vehicle soot that dulls the colour. A gentle wash often restores a surprising amount.

ACP fading: what it means and the fix
What you see	Likely cause	What to do
Uniform dullness, colour returns when wet	Dust and soot film	Gentle wash with mild detergent
Chalky powder on your finger	Polyester coating degrading	Over-coat or replace with PVDF panels
One wall faded, others fine	Sun exposure on that face	Replace panels on that face
Panels differ side by side	Different batches	Replace mismatched panels from one batch
Blotchy marks in patches	Baked-on protective film	Specialist film removal, or replace

Checks you can do

Wipe a reachable panel with a damp cloth. If colour comes back, it's dirt, not fading.
Rub a dry finger on the panel. White or coloured powder means the coating is chalking.
Compare panels on different faces of the building and side by side.
Check any leftover protective film at panel edges.

Clean, over-coat or re-clad?

Washing restores dirty panels. Chalking polyester panels can be over-coated with a suitable exterior coating, but the finish rarely matches factory quality and needs redoing over time. Replacing faded panels with PVDF-coated ACP cladding is usually the better long-term option, and also lets you check the panels' fire-retardant core. Our ACP cladding shop front guide covers grades and the ACP cladding price guide explains what changes cost. If you're rethinking the whole front, structural glazing vs ACP compares the two.

How FabWise handles faded ACP

Send photos of the facade from the street, close-ups of the worst panels and, if possible, a photo of a wiped patch, on WhatsApp. We'll tell you whether cleaning will do or panels need replacing. For shops, our retail shops in Gurgaon page explains how storefront jobs run. A site visit in our Delhi NCR cities is ₹99, adjusted against the bill; facade work is quoted after the visit.

Prevention

Specify PVDF-coated panels for any exterior ACP. Remove protective film promptly after installation. Wash the facade gently twice a year with water and mild detergent, never abrasives. Plan replacements in one batch so colours match.

Common questions

Why is my ACP cladding fading?

Usually because the panels have a polyester coating that UV breaks down, especially on south- and west-facing walls in NCR's strong sun. PVDF-coated panels hold colour much longer. Some apparent fading is just dust and soot, which a gentle wash removes.

Can faded ACP panels be painted?

They can be over-coated with a suitable exterior paint system after proper cleaning and preparation, but the finish rarely matches the factory coating and needs redoing in time. Replacing badly faded panels with PVDF-coated ones usually gives a better, longer-lasting result.

How do I clean ACP cladding without damaging it?

Use water, a mild detergent and a soft cloth or sponge, then rinse. Avoid abrasive pads, strong solvents and acidic cleaners. If using a pressure washer, keep it on low pressure and well back from the panel. Upper facades need proper access equipment.

Dukaan ka ACP rang chhod raha hai, kya naya lagwana padega?

Wipe a panel first; if colour returns, it's only dirt and needs cleaning. If the panel leaves powder on your finger, its coating is breaking down, and replacing it with a PVDF-coated panel is the lasting fix. Send photos on WhatsApp and we'll advise.