How to Spray Paint Fiberglass

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When it comes to spray painting fiberglass, there are several steps involved to ensure it’s done correctly. Not sure what those are? Well, no need to worry, below, we’ve outlined the various steps that you can follow to successfully spray paint fiberglass. 

How To Prepare Fiberglass Surface

• It’s important to prime fiberglass before you paint directly onto it.
• Start by cleaning the fiberglass materials with dish soap before rinsing it with fresh water and leaving it to dry. 
• Once it’s completely dry, use a palm sander with 400-grit sandpaper to sand the entire surface. Using grit sandpaper creates a smooth surface which makes your paint job easier.
• Use a tack cloth to wipe the surface. 
• If there are areas of the surface that you don’t want to paint, use painter’s tape or masking tape to cover them. 
• It’s also a good idea to place a large drop cloth underneath the fiberglass. 
• Next, use a primer by applying a light coat to the surface. Use intermittent coats of the primer instead of using a consistent stream. This prevents drips and streaks. 
• Leave the thin layer of primer to air dry completely on the surface for around four hours. 

Spray Painting Fiberglass Surfaces

• Start applying your spray paint using short bursts. 
• Once the first coat has dried, you can assess the surface and see if you want to add a second coat.
• Spray paint has quick drying times but often requires two or three coats. 
• When you’re done, leave the paint to dry for around 5 hours. Spray paint can feel dry when touching it after an hour. However, it often takes many hours for it to completely dry. 
• Check the manufacturer’s instructions for the spray paint can to see how long it says it takes to completely dry. 
• Most spray paints dry quicker compared to water-based paint, oil-based paint, epoxy paint and acrylic latex paint.
• It’s also best to use spray paints in a well-ventilated area and wear a respirator mask which can be found in most hardware stores.

What to Look for When Choosing Fiberglass Paint

One of the main factors to look out for is whether the spray paint is compatible with primer. The right spray paint will create a better paint adhesion to the painted surface.

It’s best to use a primer and spray paint from the same brand. This is because the chemicals used tend to be similar, which prevents any unwanted textures. If you use a spray paint brand that’s different from the primer brand, the surface can become texturized and crack more easily. 

If you’re unsure about the compatibility of your spray paint and primer, test them out before you start the project.  

When spray painting on fiberglass, you should check that the paint you’re using is meant for non-porous surfaces. This is because fiberglass is a non-porous surface that doesn’t contain any microscopic holes. Therefore, it’s best to use paint that fits well.

Also read: How to Seal Spray Paint on Glass

Conclusion

So, that concludes our post on how to spray paint fiberglass. Be sure to let your creativity run wild when it comes to choosing your colors and designs for your painting job. You can use stencils for inspiration or draw designs that are completely your own. You can also mix colors and experiment on the painted surfaces.

Fiberglass art can look fantastic around the house. It can also make for a wonderful personalized gift. 

We hope that the details found throughout our post have been useful in helping you to feel more confident about spray painting fiberglass from start to finish. 

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