Fiberglass painting

eirebus

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Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #1

My van engine cover is gone very dull , probably from years of scrubbing dead insects off it ,is there any way it can be glossed back up again ie respray or something , fiberglass polish hasn't worked

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #2

If there are no cracks, craze lines or bad Mark's it can be sanded with 1000 grit wet and dry and I would apply couple coats of Clearcoat. Hey presto...brand new again

I paint cars for a living btw

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #3

Quote by panda

If there are no cracks, craze lines or bad Mark's it can be sanded with 1000 grit wet and dry and I would apply couple coats of Clearcoat. Hey presto...brand new again

I paint cars for a living btw

I knew that John

, what is clearcoat and where would I get it , there's no cracks etc

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #4

@panda compound and polisher not restore it?

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #5

@Ally.... yes it would normally but he said polishing it hasn't worked. It does happen...I've had classic cars where you would compound and polish the paint but within a few months the gloss would die back. Better to clearcoat the panel...be good for another 10 years or more.

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #6

Quote by eirebus

Quote by panda

If there are no cracks, craze lines or bad Mark's it can be sanded with 1000 grit wet and dry and I would apply couple coats of Clearcoat. Hey presto...brand new again

I paint cars for a living btw

I knew that John

, what is clearcoat and where would I get it , there's no cracks etc

Dave... Clearcoat is the universal name for Lacquer. I use a high solids clear coat and 2 coats would last a decade or more. It needs to applied professionally dave with a spray gun...not a DIY job on the drive with a spray can I'm afraid.....

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #7

Quote by Ally

@panda compound and polisher not restore it?

I tried that , even used marine polish ,no difference ,it does need a respray alright , I'll give it to a professional ,do you know any John

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #8

@panda.......
I know a lad around Kildare that needs his bonnet lacquered

Nice job there for you John, Dave could drop over the bonnet and you could do the job and no need to bring the MH

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #9

Hi John it seems to be all sorted,all you have to do is say yes.

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #10

Have you it done yet John?

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #11

Quote by Ally

Have you it done yet John?

No he hasn't,been sitting on his ass in Fethard all weekend

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #12

Quote by eirebus

Quote by Ally

@panda compound and polisher not restore it?

I tried that , even used marine polish ,no difference ,it does need a respray alright , I'll give it to a professional ,do you know any John

Dave...You get the bonnet to me and I'll do the job for free...cant do any better than that

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #13

It’s official, Panda is out of hibernation

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #14

Quote by panda

Dave...You get the bonnet to me and I'll do the job for free...cant do any better than that

Your plan worked Dave

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 18.07.2020 · #15

While we have your ear John, any tips for restoring faded bumpers (black, unpainted)?

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 19.07.2020 · #16

Quote by panda

Quote by eirebus

Quote by Ally

@panda compound and polisher not restore it?

I tried that , even used marine polish ,no difference ,it does need a respray alright , I'll give it to a professional ,do you know any John

Dave...You get the bonnet to me and I'll do the job for free...cant do any better than that

Now how do you beat that,mates rates are really coming into play here.

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 19.07.2020 · #17

Quote by mad max

Your plan worked Dave

Thanks Jonny tight lips

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 19.07.2020 · #18

Quote by The Rambler

While we have your ear John, any tips for restoring faded bumpers (black, unpainted)?

Heat gun, and being careful

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 19.07.2020 · #19

Quote by the fat controller

Quote by The Rambler

While we have your ear John, any tips for restoring faded bumpers (black, unpainted)?

Heat gun, and being careful

I tired the heat gun for a few minutes once. I didn’t see it start to work. I stopped for fear of seeing smoke and doing lasting damage.

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 19.07.2020 · #20

I would still swear by foreverblack, a proper dye which lasts up to a year between applications once you have applied a coat or two. My current van doesn’t have plastic bumpers but I still buy and use the tyre version of it.

forum/topic.php?t=2871

Davy

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 19.07.2020 · #21

Quote by Davy

Well that goes on my shopping list then. I had heard bad reports on the back to black, but I didn’t know anything about the forever black.

Cheers Davy

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 19.07.2020 · #22

It is usually available on amazon. On first look it appears expensive, but a bottle will last a few years. I had a Ford Transit front bumper and wing mirror covers to do. I found it nearly as easy to use a paintbrush to apply. The first coat may be a little streaky which is probably to be expected, but after 2 coats it looked great and lasted for ages before needing a top up.
I also use their tyre gel on a regular basis on both Motorhome and occasionally on the cars. Also a dye and I apply it by paintbrush, helps protect the tyres as it has UV inhibitors.

Davy

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 19.07.2020 · #23

Quote by The Rambler

While we have your ear John, any tips for restoring faded bumpers (black, unpainted)?

Jason.....The best solution for faded/tired looking bumpers is to replace. Not trying to be funny but bumpers aren't that expensive.

Saying that.....Fat Controller mentioned the heat gun trick ( I've never tried it ) But many people report good results.....Davy also suggested a product that has worked well for him so worth trying......I've also heard the rubbing peanut butter in and buffing off gives great results!.....Let us know how you get on?

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 19.07.2020 · #24

Yes, I have heard of the peanut butter solution. Never tried it, wonder if dogs start licking the bumper.
On the other hand who would have thought we would put laundry tablets in the cassette and cheap cola in the waste tank. Makes you wonder what people are doing to find these things out!!

Davy

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 20.07.2020 · #25

Polytrol is excellent stuff for plastic and fibreglass.
https://www.owatrol.ie/product…gKpJ_D_BwE

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 20.07.2020 · #26

Quote by Bounder

Polytrol is excellent stuff for plastic and fibreglass.
https://www.owatrol.ie/product…gKpJ_D_BwE

I have already ordered the Forever Black. Thanks for the suggestion.

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 20.07.2020 · #27

A simple but effective process I use to repair damaged bumpers. Pics show badlly dented and scraped bottom of bumper. I heat gun the bumper and restore most of the shape, I then refine it with filler, prime and the spray with black bumper paint. To match the stipple effect most bumpers have on their surface, I turn the pressure on spray way down low and adjust fluid control until the clearcoat splatters from the gun creating the effect I want...works a treat

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 24.08.2020 · #28

Nice one on the Foreverblack @Davy . As you can see from my pics I had some seriously patchy fading. The Forwverblack looks really well.

Once you go black...

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 24.08.2020 · #29

You're not supposed to put it on your number plates - doh!

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 24.08.2020 · #30

Quote by Ally

You're not supposed to put it on your number plates - doh!

Ah you got in before me. I was saving that one

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 24.08.2020 · #31

Looks fantastic Jason

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 24.08.2020 · #32

@The Rambler. And it improves as you put on each subsequent coat. You should get about 6 months minimum before even thinking about reapplying, although you can stretch it longer. Depends on the sun and UV. Plenty left in the bottle I am sure, should do for a couple of years.

If you are happy with foreverblack then try some of the tyre gel. Equally as good. A deep Matt with a slight sheen and UV inhibitors to help protect the tyres, although I paint them every 3 months or so.

Pleased you are happy with the results.

Davy

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 24.08.2020 · #33

My next job might be to paint my steel rims. I have the hub caps removed still since the van was recently in for the CVRT. They look cheap and naff in fairness. I thought it might be worth trying out jet black steel rims. Gloss or Matt, I’m not too sure.

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 24.08.2020 · #34

Quote by The Rambler

Ah you got in before me. I was saving that one

Sorry

It's a great job, looks great!

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 23.10.2020 · #35

This is one for John @panda, or anyone else who has knowledge. It might sound like a stupid question but, would spraying a clear coat over a satin finish negate the satin finish and become a gloss?

This is in relation to kitchen cabinets I am respraying, but I would imagine the principles are the same to auto detailing. They started out as high gloss cabinets. I wanted to change the colour and at the same time dull down the shine with a satin finish. I've used 3 light coats of primer (plastic primer) and 3 coats of top coat. I'm worried the finish is not durable as there is already one bad scuff. I'm thinking about spraying on a clear coat for better durability, something like Rust-oleum Enamel, which I think should harden like a glaze.

Will this just return the cabinets to a high gloss?

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 23.10.2020 · #36

Jason....I can only reference Auto Clear Coat but yes...spraying clear will result in a gloss finish.....BUT.... You can add a Matte agent to the clear and it will reduce the gloss to a satin or even close to a Matt finish depending on how much you add to the clear. I personally have never had the need to use it but it is available.

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 23.10.2020 · #37

Well then, I’ll hold off on the clear coat unless it becomes really necessary at which point I’ll live with the gloss .

Cheers John

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 23.10.2020 · #38

All of the varnish suppliers have a clear Satin finish as well as gloss and matt
What was the paint you used, when useing Chalk paint there is a wax you rub on to give it a hard wearing finish.
Why don't you try the back of one of the doors.

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 24.10.2020 · #39

I’m using Rust-Oleum Painters-Touch spray paint Martin. I think they do some chalk paints in a spray too. I can imagine it looking well on wooden furniture but it wouldn’t suit our gloss cabinets. They wouldn’t take a wax either. I’ll see how they wear over time. It mightn’t be a problem

What did you paint with that?

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Re: Fiberglass painting

· Posted: 25.10.2020 · #40

just to add i tried the heat gun method lasted about a month then returned to a faded look again!

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