If you’re trading for a funded firm, your script must be accurate — not just look good in backtests. One silent killer? Repainting indicators. They make your strategy seem perfect historically but fail in real trades. Let’s break down what repainting is and why it matters.
What is Repainting in Trading Scripts?
Repainting happens when an indicator uses future data to update past signals. Imagine a buy arrow showing up after the price has already moved — then disappearing. That’s repainting. It gives a false sense of accuracy and can crush your funded firm evaluation.
The Hidden Repainting Trap: Pivot High/Low Functions
A key source of repainting in Pine Script is:
ta.pivothigh()ta.pivotlow()
These functions identify high/low points — but only after future candles confirm them. In live trading, this means the signal appears late. You saw a pivot in backtest? It wasn’t really there when it counted.
Why Funded Firm Traders Should Care
Trading for a funded firm is all about real-time performance under pressure. If your indicators repaint:
- Your strategy may fail under live conditions
- Your risk settings may be based on false setups
- Your evaluation accounts could be blown
No funded firm tolerates weak risk management based on flawed indicators.
How to Spot Repainting
- Look for delayed or disappearing signals.
- Scan your code for
ta.pivothigh()andta.pivotlow(). - Backtest on replay mode and compare with live signals.
How to Avoid Repainting in Funded Firm Accounts
- Avoid pivot-based logic unless you truly understand the delay.
- Use real-time-friendly indicators with no future bar dependency.
- Test in live or paper-trading conditions, not just on historical data.
- Understand your Pine Script logic — don’t blindly copy from forums.
Final Thoughts
If you’re working with or trying to qualify for a funded firm with automation, repainting can silently sabotage your performance. Clean, reliable scripts are your edge. Never trade what you don’t fully understand — and always test in real time.
Also Checkout: Connect Tradovate with Trading view using PickMyTrade
