How to Paint a Fiberglass Truck

Painting coated fiberglass is simply a matter of lightly sanding to get rid of any bumps or rough spots and then spraying with an enamel paint with a paint hardener added. There is very little difference between painting metal and fiberglass. Painting should be done inside a painting booth (which can be a simple frame on which sheets of plastic have been hung) to prevent paint spray from getting on everything and to help keep dirt and dust from settling on the paint as it is drying.

Things You'll Need

• 400-grit sandpaper 800-grit sandpaper 1,200-grit sandpaper (0000-grit steel wool) Tack cloths Painting booth Eye protection Breathing mask Spray painter Enamel paint Enamel paint hardener

Instructions

1. Wash your truck with a mild soap and warm water. Rinse it off thoroughly and allow to dry.

2. Sand lightly with 400-grit paper. Go over the entire vehicle, sanding in the same direction to avoid swirl marks. Wipe the vehicle with a tack cloth when done to remove all sanding dust. Inspect the vehicle carefully looking for spots that need sanding or areas that are still rough or have bumps. Sand trouble areas lightly a second time. Wipe with a tack cloth.

3. Sand lightly with 800-grit paper. Again, sand in one direction to avoid swirl marks. Wipe with a tack cloth and inspect again for any missed or rough spots. The surface of your fiberglass body should feel almost as smooth as glass.

4. Sand lightly one final time with either 1,200-grit paper or with 0000-grit steel wool. Sand in the same direction to prevent swirl marks. Wipe down thoroughly with tack cloth and remove all dust.

5. Move the truck into a protected area for painting. This can be a simple frame made from PVC pipe and draped with plastic sheets. Mask areas on the truck that are to be paint-free using masking tape and/or plastic sheeting. Wear old clothing and a breathing mask and eye protection. Spray the body of the truck with enamel paint in which you have added a commercial enamel paint hardener according to the manufacturer's instructions. Keep the head of the sprayer moving constantly as you spray so that you put on several light coats of paint as evenly as possible. Do not try to get too thick of a coat or your paint will drip.

6. Allow the paint to dry thoroughly. This may take 24 hours. Once the paint is dry lightly sand with 1,200-grit paper or with 0000-grit steel wool. Sand in one direction only and only sand until the paint feels as smooth as glass.

7. Spray a second coat onto your truck. Again, add enamel paint hardener into your paint as per the manufacturer's instructions. Spray light coats onto your truck and always keep the spray head moving to prevent thick areas that can drip. Wear eye protection and a breathing mask. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours. Inspect. Lightly touch any rough areas with the 1,200-grit paper or the 0000-grit steel wool. Remove the protective tape and/or plastic and your job is done.

Tips & Warnings

• Always paint light coats and always keep the head of the paint sprayer moving. If you do not have a paint sprayer, one can be rented from most home centers or hardware stores.

• Always hear eye protection and a breathing mask when spray painting.