LEGO box sun / uv fade grading.
AI UV-fade grading for sealed LEGO boxes.
How the AI sees it.
UV fade is permanent color drift from sunlight or full-spectrum display light on the box's printed surfaces. Red bricks fade toward orange first, blues drift toward teal, and the top edge yellows. Detectable on the print axis once color drift exceeds ~3% from the factory reference.
The grader perspective.
UV fade is the silent killer of LEGO investment value. It accumulates over years, it's irreversible, and buyers spot it immediately by comparing the displayed face to the underside. A box stored on a shelf near a window loses approximately 1 grade tier per 3 years on the print axis alone.
↦ Scored on the BrickGauge print axis.
Sun / UV fade by tier.
Each tier maps to a defect signal and the grade ceiling it forces. Pre-grade your box with BrickGauge to see which tier yours lands in.
| Tier | Signal | Grade cap |
|---|---|---|
| MINT | No detectable color drift | AFA 90+ |
| NM | Sub-3% drift on top face only | AFA 85 |
| EX | 3–8% drift, visible top-edge yellowing | AFA 80 |
| VG | >8% drift, reds fading to orange | AFA 75 or below |
Don’t create the damage.
- 01Never store boxes on a shelf with direct or indirect sunlight. UV-blocking film helps but isn't 100%.
- 02Closed cabinet > glass display case > open shelving for long-term storage.
- 03If you must display, rotate every 6 months so no single face takes the full UV load.
- 04Full-spectrum LEDs (most museum lighting, some grow lights) also cause UV fade — incandescent or warm-white LED is safer.
Browse the rest.
See your uv fade scored.
Upload six photos and BrickGauge measures the sun / uv fade on your specific box, scores it on the print axis, and rolls it into an overall verdict. Two free inspections on signup — credits never expire.