The proper life span of a coat of paint should be the length of time that it takes for the weather and sun to wear it down. The better paints take longer to weather away. The more severe the weather and exposure to sun, the shorter the life of the coat of the paint. If the paint chips, flakes or peels, something went wrong. That part of the paint did not have a chance to weather away. If the paint comes off in pieces it is probably because the surface was not cleaned before painting or, more likely, water found a crack and got behind the paint. Here is how to get the maximum life out of your paint