ᐅ Why does the color change more quickly in newer BILLY models?

Created on: 23 Nov 2022 08:17
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teo56
Hello everyone,

I recently purchased a new Billy bookcase and noticed that the color of the newer models changes noticeably faster than with older ones. My question is: why does the color of newer Billy models change more quickly?

I observed that especially with the newer shelves, the surface often darkens or discolors unevenly after just a few months. This seems to be less pronounced in the previous model I bought several years ago.

From a technical perspective, what factors cause this? Is it due to the type of coating used, the wood material, the base substances, or perhaps the manufacturing process? I would appreciate detailed explanations, as I would like to understand this better.
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nonlau35
24 Nov 2022 08:05
Melamine coatings show little visible color fading due to mechanical impact, but their UV protection is weaker.
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SETHBLA
24 Nov 2022 08:26
RENMA schrieb:
PU coatings are generally more resistant to mechanical stress and UV radiation and retain color better.

Exactly, that’s why PU coatings used to be the standard – now there is a growing shift towards more affordable alternatives.
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WARREN
24 Nov 2022 09:08
This also explains why some users report that their shelves start to look spotty or unevenly discolored after just a few months – this occurs more quickly with lower-quality paint.
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Tofra45
24 Nov 2022 09:37
The manufacturing process can also have an impact. Inconsistent coating thicknesses or incompletely cured paint can accelerate color changes.
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FAVALERIE9
24 Nov 2022 10:07
I have read that environmental regulations for production have changed. As a result, manufacturers now use different solvents and binders, which could negatively affect color stability.
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emmett
25 Nov 2022 08:44
FAVALERIE9 schrieb:
I read that environmental regulations in production have changed. That’s why manufacturers now use different solvents and binders, which might negatively affect color stability.

This is an important point because stricter VOC regulations often lead to changes in paint formulations, which can impact durability.