Painting fiberglass - any tips?

[Huffer]

I've been doing some reading about painting fiberglass...

The grill I received already has a gel-coat and a coat of paint on it, but it's chipping and it's not the color I want.

There's also the matter of the mesh, which is metal.

Anyone have any tips on this? Would I be ok to just sand down the top surfaces, fill them and then hit the whole thing with a can of flat black designed for metal and fiberglass (is there such a thing?)?

[chuckthefuk]

Doesn't matter if its fiberglass or fiberglass with gelcoat.

The properties of painting this material is identical to metal.

Sand the grill down till everything is smooth and to your liking.

Go out and buy a can of HIGH-BUILD primer

Spray a coat on the grill let it sit for 24 hours.. Spray again if you have a few deep scratches.

Sand with 320 grit or higher ...

When its all nice and smooth spray any color/paint you want.

Fiberglass is one of the easiest materials to work with its just a bit itchy when your sanding it.

Also the metal grill shouldn't be an issue if you cant remove it before priming then just tape it off. Any paint will stick to metal as long as its not the plastic paint that krylon sells.
- Chuck

[Huffer]

Thanks, I have a couple more questions.

If I sand it down and I don't go any further than removing the top coat of paint, do I need primer?

Or can I just spray it with a couple coats and then hit it with some clear?

[Reason]

I would put a light coat of primer. Depending on the color you are painting and whats under there you could have a "bleed" effect. If you prime the surface it will be uniform. Just think of the paint under the primer as your first coat.

[chuckthefuk]

Thanks, I have a couple more questions.

If I sand it down and I don't go any further than removing the top coat of paint, do I need primer?

Or can I just spray it with a couple coats and then hit it with some clear?


It doesn't matter if your sanding 1mm of fiberglass or gel coat..

Both are filled with pours. millions of pours that you can not see by eye.

By adding primer you will be able to see imperfections and uneven-ness.


If you paint ANYTHING you must always use PRIMER.

Unless your painting over paint. in that case just sand off the clear since the paint acts as a primer.
.

A can of either type of primer is cheap cheap. under $8 from your local auto zone.

Good luck

- Chuck