Can You Spray Paint Fiberglass? – Detailed Guide

Spray painting is famous for being less messy and handier than brush painting. People opt for spray painting techniques for almost all types of materials, and therefore it is a commonly searched question “Can You Spray Paint Fiberglass? Depending on how you spray paint, you can paint fibreglass, but be sure to follow the proper technique. Since fibreglass is entirely non-porous, spray paint doesn’t adhere very well.

You may need special spray paint and a particular technique to improve the bonding between the fibreglass surface and the paint. In this blog post, I’ll discuss everything you need about spray paint on fibreglass. I’ll share some pro tips, dos and don’ts to help you enjoy a mess-free and well-rewarding painting experience.

Can You Spray Paint Fiberglass?

Yes, you can spray paint fibreglass. First, let’s define fibreglass and understand how it looks. Fibreglass is a material composed of thousands of glass fibres joined together. These fibres are bonded to each other with adhesive or resins.

The tight bonding between the fibres makes it exceptionally hard and non-porous. Since standard spray paints are thin, they may not cure with a non-porous surface. However, multiple spray paints, like oil-based paint, epoxy spray paint, and enamel spray paint, bond well with the non-porous surface.

What Are The Best Spray Paints For Fiberglass?

Oil-Based Spray Paints

Oil-based spray paint has a thick consistency, making it suitable for non-porous surfaces like fibreglass and metal. The curing time of oil-based spray paint is around 24 hours or even more. You may have to apply the paint several times if you want a smooth finish.

All-Surface Spray Paints

All surface spray paint contains a unique formula allowing them to adhere to all surfaces. These paints are usually oil-based paint with particular kinds of resins. All surface paints are available in convenient aerosol packaging and offer a dripping-free smooth application.

Enamel Paints

Enamel paints are also known as challenging surface spray paint. These paints form a strong bond with all surfaces, allowing you to get ultra-smooth finishes. Enamel paint uses hard resins enabling them to adhere to non-porous surfaces. Enamel Spray Paints have a relatively shorter drying time than regular oil-based paint, making them suitable for big projects. The best part of enamel paint is that they are highly weather-resistant. It is an excellent option for painting fibreglass doors and fences.

Epoxy Spray Paints

Epoxy spray paint stands among the most durable spray paints. These paints use epoxy resin and binders that help them stick to almost all surfaces. Their ability to adhere to non-porous surfaces makes them perfect for fibreglass spray painting.

Do I Need To Sand The Fiberglass Before Spray Painting?

Since fibreglass is non-porous, it has poor adhesion properties. Therefore, sand or abrade the fibreglass surface is highly recommended to enhance its ability to adhere to the spray paint. Also, rubbing will remove tiny imperfections from the surface, giving you a smooth ready-to-paint surface.

Do I Need To Prime The Fiberglass Before Spray Painting?

Fibreglass is not naturally compatible with spray paint. As a result, the final finish does not look as good and needs to be more durable since it does not bond well with spray paint. Priming is one of the most crucial parts of fibreglass spray painting. You may skip sanding but not the priming.

A wide range of primers are available, but you need to choose the one that is fully compatible with the type of paint that you are using. Using Fiberglass No Sand Primer will save you from sanding the surface. This primer eliminates the need to smooth the surface before priming.

How To Spray Paint Fiberglass?

Prep Work

Cleaning the fibreglass surface you want to paint is the first step. Dirt and grease should not be present. Once clean, use low-grit sandpaper to find its edges and remove any imperfections. The sander abrades the surface, which improves adhesion. If a power sander or fine sandpaper is required, it depends on how rough the surface is. However, I recommend keeping the grit level low to avoid surface damage.

Priming

Now apply the primer to the surface, beginning from one edge to another. It is possible to use the primer with a brush or a roller. Tuff Stuff marine epoxy primers are highly recommended for fibreglass. It adds a waterproof and scratch-resistant coat to the fibreglass and improves the adhesion properties. The primer may take as long as 24 hours to get thoroughly dried.

Applying Spray Paint

• Shake the can well to avoid bubbling and inconsistency issues.
• Apply the thin paint coat from a distance of 6 to 7 inches. Never apply a thick layer since it results in dripping problems.
• Depending on the type of spray paint you are using, the drying time will be different.
• Allow the first coat to cure sufficiently before applying another coat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Spray Paint Adhere To Fiberglass?

Standard spray paint does not adhere to the fiberglass. However, you can use special products like epoxy paints and primers to make it work with fiberglass.

Can You Paint Directly Over Fiberglass?

You can’t paint directly over the fiberglass. You need to prepare the fiberglass surface by sanding it with fine-grit paper. Then apply a primer to make it work with the spray paint.

Will Rustoleum Paint Stick To Fiberglass?

Rust-Oleum has a wide range of epoxy and all surface paints. These paints stick really well to fiberglass.

Wrapping Up

So we can safely conclude that we can spray paint the fiberglass if we choose the right products and opt for the proper technique. I highly recommend you buy reliable brand products like Rust-Oleum and Krylon for maximum durability and professional-grade results.