Fiberglass finishing
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=11833
Printed Date: May 11, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Topic: Fiberglass finishing
Posted By: SteveEastpoint
Subject: Fiberglass finishing
Date Posted: April 06, 2003 at 7:58 AM
I'm about to fiberglass some things in my car and I was wondering what to do to get it ready to get it painted by a professional paint shop. I usually go as far as bondo to finish, then cover with some type of cloth, but this time, I want it painted, so what else should I do, or can the paint shop take it from there? The only thing they really told me was to give them a nice smooth surface and they can paint it.
Replies:
Posted By: stereo_guru20
Date Posted: April 06, 2003 at 7:35 PM
to save your self money on labor from the paintshop, sand as much as possible. You really have to sand it as much as possible. If you see ANY dimples or scratches, sand them out. This may take HOURS. If you want to know if ou think its smooth enough, feel your window on your car, compare that to your work.
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Joe
Sound Lab Audio
Owner
MECP First Class
Posted By: R983
Date Posted: April 06, 2003 at 8:29 PM
Sanding the fiberglass as smooth as possable is a good start, usuially you can only get it so smooth though. After that put on a thin thin coat of bondo and then sand that. bondo sands a little easier than fiberglass and you can literally get it to sand as smooth as glass or ice or.. whatever. if its not perfect before painting ever little depression, or hole will be seen. even if covering with vynl you can see slight dips and depressions.
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Posted By: audiomechanic
Date Posted: April 07, 2003 at 9:29 PM
the use of polyester primer(i.e. feather fill, slick sand, poly primer) is a big time saver. you can sand the piece with 36 grit, then shoot it with polyester primer and it will even its self out quite well and get rid of the sanding marks. it also sands way easier than bodyfiller. once you sand it to a 120 or 220 grit, shoot a thin coat of poly primer or sealer primer over it and sand that to a 400 or 600 grit and your all ready to paint.
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