Fiberglass doors and sidelights can be smooth or textured with a wood-grain finish. This material usually does not need to be primed, but painting is required. Premium steel doors are factory-primed and should be painted but not stained.
Use acrylic, polyester, polyurethane, or epoxy resin paint on your fiberglass door. Try to pick a paint that matches the type of fiberglass for the best results. Do not use oil-based paints because these can damage the door. Fiberglass-friendly paints are often available in matte, neutral, and gloss finishes.
Use a hard topcoat.
Otherwise in hot environments the weatherstripping may stick to softened paint and damage the door. The door's topcoat should be reapplied often — every two years if not exposed to direct sunlight and up to every six months if there is no overhang and a lot of direct sunlight.
Fibreglass can be tough to paint over as it needs to be suitably prepared and primed for topcoats to properly adhere and stick to the surface.
Many models of fiberglass doors are built with smooth exteriors making a painted finish the better option. Doors such as these, are created to be painted; with staining, not being an effective finish. Many builders have a belief that fiberglass door surfaces become more durable when painted and not stained.
Available in a wide range of styles, paints and stains, fiberglass can be repainted or stained by do-it-yourselfers in a method similar to painting natural wood. Good surface preparation is the key to any successful paint job, and this applies to fiberglass doors.
You can start by using a primer, although it is not necessary with a fiberglass boat. Be sure that the primer you are using is compatible with the paint you've chosen. After you've applied one layer of primer, you can use a 300-grit sandpaper and lightly sand the boat before applying the next coat.
Fiberglass can be painted successfully. You have to look at it as though you were painting plastic. The concern with this particular project is that you're painting steps that will be used on a daily basis, so the treads will become worn and need recoating over time.
Fiberglass can be resistant to paint, so use a good bonding primer and a paint recommended for fiberglass.
Use acrylic as the exterior of your fiberglass doors because they are more resistant to ultraviolet rays from the sun. Acrylics are perfect for fiberglass doors because they are designed to withstand weathering.
Cracks. Cracking is a problem with some low-quality, inexpensive fiberglass doors. The fiberglass is rigid and can crack during cold weather when the material contracts. These cracks may simply damage the door's appearance.
Painting a fiberglass entry door is much like painting a wood door, without a need for sanding before paint is applied. Rinse the door by wiping it down with a damp sponge, then allow the door to dry completely.
Once you've removed the layers, sand the door a bit with 120-grit paper. Clean the entire surface with a rag soaked in denatured alcohol. Apply a gel stain. Once it dries and you're happy with the color, apply at least two layers of fiberglass topcoat, waiting for it to dry between applications.
Unlike wood, fiberglass surfaces are nonporous, making them unsuitable for spray paint adhesion. Before you can spray paint any type of fiberglass surface, you will need to employ specific preparation techniques to condition the fiberglass to accept paint, or the finish will peel soon after application.
Rust-Oleum® Marine Coatings Wood & Fiberglass Primer primes bare, lightly rusted and previously painted surfaces. Apply to wood or fiberglass surfaces above the waterline.
For new fiberglass doors, you also need to prime them. Priming helps you cut down the extra coating for your fiberglass doors. When you prime before painting your door, the paint coating will last longer. Primers seal the original material of the door and fill the porous surfaces for a smooth paint area.
Apply primer to the fiberglass.
Once the component has been sanded with coarse-grit sandpaper, apply the primer and allow it to set. Avoid using etching primer, as it won't adhere well to fiberglass. It is optimal to use a heavy primer coat with a high build primer suited for FRP.
Use Acetone to Clean Your Door
Before painting your fiberglass door, you need to ensure that it is clean. You may use acetone or paint thinner as the first step when cleaning. In most instances, these options are used when dealing with rather stubborn stains such as oil.
Use either acrylic or polyester, or polyurethane or epoxy epoxy resins for door paints. To ensure a successful job, choose an environmentally friendly paint for all types of fiberglass. It is a bad idea to paint your doors with oil-based paints as they can damage them.