How to Dye Fiberglass Fabric
Fiberglass cannot be dyed liked regular fabric. Most colorants will not stick to the glass fibers, and if they do, they may impact the fiberglass's ability to be used with resin. This would negate the purpose of using fiberglass in the first place. However, you can add color to a fiberglass fabric project in other ways. Whether you are using the fiberglass to repair a car or boat, protect a model plane, or any other craft, coloring around the fiberglass fabric will make your results more vibrant.
Things You'll Need
- Resin
- Fiberglass fabric
- Primer
- Acrylic or enamel paint
- Topcoat (optional)
- Artist's pigment
Instructions
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Paint Over the Fiberglass
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In this method, color goes over the completed fiberglass and resin. Mix the resin and hardener. Apply the fiberglass and wet it with the resin. Allow it to cure according to your resin's instructions. Add a second coat and allow that to cure. Sand and polish the cured fiberglass if you want a smooth surface like on cars and boats.
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Prime the surface. Primer is painted onto a surface to give paint something to adhere to. It often covers any imperfections in the surface being painted. If the imperfections are glaring, sand the surface and prime it again. Use a dark primer under dark paints, and light or white primers under light paints. Let the primer dry.
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Paint the surface; almost any paint will work over a primer. Acrylic or enamel are used by most auto detailers who use this method. You can also draw or trace designs on your surface. Allow the paint to dry completely. You can then add a clear topcoat if your paint requires it. Some automotive paints do not.
Color the Resin
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Select a color pigment to add to the resin. This needs to be compatible with your resin or the resin will not cure properly. Use small amounts of artist's pigments in powder form to avoid most curing problems no matter what resin you use. These are mostly ground-up minerals or other materials, and will not interfere with curing unless your mix is too pigment-heavy -- for example, 50 percent resin and 50 percent pigments.
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Prepare the surface to be fiberglassed. Clean it with soap and water. Use mineral spirits on any grease spots or oil, if necessary. Rinse well.
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Mix the resin and pigment. Add hardener to the resin. Make sure you use the proportions given by the manufacturer. Many resins and hardeners mix at a 50/50 ratio, but not all. Stir slowly to avoid creating air bubbles. Add your pigment and mix slowly. Use only enough to get the color you want.
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Apply the fiberglass fabric to the surface and wet it with the colored resin. Use a brush, squeegee or foam roller to apply the resin. Allow the resin to cure. The colored resin enveloping the fabric will give the whole thing color.
Paint Before Fiberglass
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Use acrylic paint to draw and color a design on the surface you are adding fiberglass to. Do not coat the whole surface, especially for boats or surfboards. The acrylic paint can cause the fiberglass to delaminate, or come off the surface, which can cause damage. For example, water can seep into cracks in the fiberglass coating and cause warping, mold or other water damage.
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Mix the resin. You must use a clear resin for your design to show through. Apply the fiberglass fabric and coat it with resin. Allow it to cure.
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Add a second coat of fiberglass fabric and resin if necessary. You can then polish the fiberglass. Your painted design will show through the resin and glass fabric.
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Tips & Warnings
Do not attempt to dye fiberglass fabric like you would cloth. Fabric dyes such as Rit do not adhere to the glass strands that make up the fabric. The glass fibers can also scratch your skin and cause irritation.
Always wear a respirator mask when working with resin. The fumes can be toxic. Also protect your eyes and skin from glass fibers by wearing goggles and gloves.
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/AbleStock.com/Getty Images
