I have not put a naked bb in the garden but I'm interested if anyone else has had this problem. I have a purdy pink one to put in the garden too. I'd hate for it to fade!!!

I painted some lady bug bowling balls and left them in the sun a few days and it didn't seem to fade them. I'm sure if I'd of left them longer they would of though. Not sure who I'm giving them to besides my GD and Sis so I have them on my deck. I think someone on here inspired me so I was telling my sister about them and she showed up with 5 balls. The ouside green ones were not totally painted but the three center ones were. If anyone knows who started painting the lady bug balls, let's give them credit.
{{gwi:191097}}

I have a red/white/blue swirly BB (naked)that has been outside for 2 years- all seasons, no fading to it , I make sure the holes are on the down side though, so it doesn't freeze water in the holes. possibly the material yours is made of is "allergic" to the sun, if its soft also.
Sue

I have two pretty, untouched BB's, holes down in my garden. They are no longer high gloss, but they have not changed color like yours did. Mine have been there for several years now, even through MN winters. I also have one I put glass marbles on and a penny fountain BB. They come in in the winter.

Thanks for the replies. I guess the material a bb is made of makes a difference. I won't bother to decorate this one, because I have a feeling it won't hold onto anything.
I saw a couple more at my new favorite weekend barn sale, and I might get them. But I'll check them out to see what they're made of. Also might visit my local bowling alley to see if they have any cast-offs. Those are probably sturdier.

The holes of my pink bb are down in the garden. The first photo is to show the underside that was not exposed to the sun and is still the original color. ;)