Painting Fibreglass

[AHM]

I have fibreglassed the inside the wheel arches. I now want to paint the surface before applying stone guard.

The surface is still tacky. Is there any preparation I should do before applying the paint?

[elancoupe]

If it the fiberglass you have applied that is sticky, a thorough wipedown with acetone will work.

[nebogipfel]

Not sure if this will help but I have just put "Stone Chip" on mine and it was not entirely successful

I cleaned the glass roughened it with P80 grit and used a plastic adhesion promoter (belt and braces) prior to the stone chip but it is clear that it is not entirely happy and has reacted a bit in places (particularly over fresh resin).

With hindsight I think it would probably have been better to put a coat of 2-pack primer on prior to the stone chip coating.

A bitumen schutz type underseal will go over virtually anything but I prefer "Stone Chip" because it has a better finish and is overpaintable. My favourite product (UK) is U-Pol Gravitex.

Agreed about the acetone for the tackiness or just wait a few days and then use a bit of abrasive paper

[LaikaTheDog]

be very careful with applying waxoyl bitumen to the raw fibre in your arch, if the resin is damaged (likely) the solvent in the waxoyl will 'wick' into the matting.....

[AHM]

Thanks for the advice.

I have been away for a week (sorry fo the delay in replying). Now I am back it doesn't appear to be particularly sticky.

I will try the 2 pack primer as the paint that was on there before hadn't stuck particularly well.

I agree with the comments about "stone chip" - That is the stuff that I meant. I also prefer the finish.

Thanks,

Simon

[carrierdave]

Hello -This may be a little late but last year I fibre glassed my pond. This remained sticky until I covered it with gel coat. This starves the fibre glass of oxygen and then goes rock hard.
You should be able to get hold of gelcaot and hardener from a boat yard of specialist.

[worzel]

Hi all

I don't know how much gel coat costs but if expensive try using 2 pack polyester spray filler (which is gel coat really), don't thin it just brush on. Costs about ?10 a litre.
Sticks like **** to a blanket!

John