The sun is bleaching signs in arizona

youtube

Well this is just crazy! As the guy who made the video puts it. The sun in Arizona is so hot and the UV index so high it's both melting and bleaching street signs.

He also goes into how the coral reefs are also losing color and dying off because of high UV.

a reply to: anotherside

I lived in Ahwatukee for 2 years,nothing unusual,I moved back after I got burns on my hands,opening my car door one morning,and that wasn't even hottest part of AZ,Tucson got hotter yet

Its more likely that the paints used on the signs today are of an inferior quality compared to that of the past.

originally posted by: CulturalResilience
Its more likely that the paints used on the signs today are of an inferior quality compared to that of the past.

We should really have stopped painting the reefs such pretty colours.

Things bleach in the sun over time usually. I agree that the paint may be of a different or lower quality. Signs in FL are bleached, too, and they will continue to bleach lighter and lighter over time as they continue to sit out in the sun. Paint physics 101.

a reply to: anotherside

Don't know whats up with your link, but it doesn't take me to signs bleaching.

Coolest summer I can remember ever where I am, the other side of the world
All our street signs look the same as they always have

Coral reefs in Arizona, I am not sure about that.

Anyway our coral looks and seem fine, according to the csiro anyway, mind you it's not in a populated area subject to pollution

the YouTube clip isn't talking my part of the world, scaremongering
Why hasn't the colour of the car faded, the plastic on the cars melted

I have fried an egg on my mums car, it's crap

The sun has been bleaching bones in Arizona for thousands of years.

There is a reason they call the Phoenix area the valley of the sun.

Most car paint jobs only last 5 years or so if you don't keep them covered.

a reply to: anotherside

The coral reefs are not getting bleached by bloody sunlight! That is utter and total trash.

The coral reefs are getting bleached by a higher percentage acidity in the water than they can cope with, thats it and all about it.

a reply to: TrueBrit

The coral reefs are getting bleached by a higher percentage acidity in the water than they can cope with, thats it and all about it.

While ocean pH levels are falling (that's not really an increase in "percentage acidity") corals exhibit bleaching behavior due, primarily, to increased water temperature.

the dust storms also sand-blast the cars/signs/everything standing outdoors in AZ

out east, like in SC... we deal with rust and corrosion & bullet holes in those road signs instead of sunlight & UV that AZ gets

a reply to: Phage

My apologies.

I was sure I had read that acidity was to blame, but further poking about reveals you are, as usual, correct.

I think in general there is a correlation between PH and temps, but the low difference in temps makes that unlikely here.

a reply to: Oldtimer2

I wonder if that's why they put those sunshades on the signs on I-10.

originally posted by: CulturalResilience
Its more likely that the paints used on the signs today are of an inferior quality compared to that of the past.

The signs were bleached back in the day as well. Never underestimate the power of the sun...it's the single driving force and source of energy on this planet.

originally posted by: St Udio


the dust storms also sand-blast the cars/signs/everything standing outdoors in AZ

Out here the big dust storms are called Haboob's

originally posted by: St Udio


the dust storms also sand-blast the cars/signs/everything standing outdoors in AZ

out east, like in SC... we deal with rust and corrosion & bullet holes in those road signs instead of sunlight & UV that AZ gets

Yep!

I've lived in SW AZ & SOCA beach area.

Extreme heat in one, dampness, condensation, rust in the other.

My bike lasted 20 years in the shade in AZ, about a week on the coast LOL.

And interestingly, seen more shot up signs & cars in CA then I ever saw in AZ.

originally posted by: Sixteen
Things bleach in the sun over time usually. I agree that the paint may be of a different or lower quality. Signs in FL are bleached, too, and they will continue to bleach lighter and lighter over time as they continue to sit out in the sun. Paint physics 101.

Wait a minute, you mean uv rays and an oxidizer(saltwater) can ruin stuff?
Wow-