How to Strip Paint Off of Fiberglas

Fiberglas is the trade name for a material made from fine glass fibers. It is commonly used in insulation, building materials, filters, boat and auto making and, sometimes, in plastics. Stripping paint from Fiberglas is a simple process, but one that can become tedious if the paint has worked its way into flaws in the material. Stripper will eat into the Fiberglas if it is left on too long, so have all your tools handy and be prepared to act quickly.

Things You'll Need

• Chemical stripper
• Gloves
• Paint brush
• Putty knife
• Nylon brush or Scotch-Brite
• Denatured alcohol
• Rag

Instructions

1. Apply a thin layer of chemical stripper to the paint with a brush. Scrape it off with a putty knife as soon as the paint starts to loosen so the stripper does not eat into the fiberglass.

2. Repeat until all the paint is removed. Remove paint from pits and scratches by using a small brush or a Scotch-Brite pad to rub the surface lightly. Dip a Scotch-Brite pad in denatured alcohol and rub the surface to remove any remaining bits of paint.

3. Wipe the Fiberglas with a clean rag dipped in alcohol until the rag comes away from the surface clean. Rinse the rag as needed. Allow the Fiberglas to dry for at least 2 hours, and then paint or refinish.

Tips & Warnings

• Provide ventilation if you are working indoors.

• Wear gloves when working with chemical strippers.

• Follow the paint stripper manufacturer's instructions.

References

• Fiberglas Fact Sheet

Resources

• Simple Instructions for Removing Paint from Fiberglas
• Environmentally Friendly Paint Stripper
• Using Fiberglas to Build and Restore Automobiles