Painting fiberglass???

[DamonWhitten]

:confused: I just got an old odyssey that has really lost it's color and I would like to paint it or just brighten up it's color but I heard that you can't paint fiberglass. If you know please tell.My e-mail is Damonwhitten@hotmail.com:)

[RicksToys]

The fenders on an Odyssey as with most ATV's are made of HDPE plastic. We have spent alot of time trying to get paint to stick to this stuff with little success.
What we have found will work is you must first rough up the surface with sandpaper then spray a coat of Sherwin/Williams Loxon which is a bonding primer. You can then spray them with any color of S/W Ext Gloss Latex.
DO NOT USE AN OIL BASE PAINT-USE LATEX. Oil base will dry to brittle and crack right off. Latex will remain flexable
After the latex is dry you can spray it with clear coat to give it a better shine. You may need to find a painting contractor that has an HVLP sprayer that can spray latex,,will give the best finish.

Email me if you have any further questions.
Rick

[Dirtsquirt]

I think he means a really old one (late 70's) which had the fiberglass tub. If it did have a fiberglass tub then your local boat shop should be able to hook you up, ask them about gel coating.


-Dirt

[Merriman]

You don't have to re-gel coat it. Just sand it down to get it smooth again, and then paint it what ever color you want. Fiberglass is paintable becuase it isn't as flexible as plastic. Since it's a harder surface, paint will stick. I know......I've been doing it for years.

[ADW3]

DO NOT try to "re-gelcoat" the fiberglass!!! gelcoat is an in-mold coating and curing is air inhibited. this means that as long as air can get to the surface it won't cure or "dry." the only way to get it to cure properly is to add what's called wax solution (some call it sanding-aid) to the gel before spraying. wax solution is a mixture of parafin wax and styrene. the wax rises to the surface after spraying and blocks the air from contacting the gel. the problem with doing this is that, after curing, the wax must be removed with a solvent such as acetone, which can lead to softening of the gelcoat. basically, it's a catch-22. Merriman is absolutely correct; just sand, prep, and paint as you would with a steel gas tank, car, etc. two-part automotive polyurethane paint (i.e. dupont imron, etc.) will give the best results - however, make sure that whoever sprays it knows what they are doing! hope this helps some.