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Last Updated on November 15, 2024 by Paul Clayton
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How to Paint RV Exterior Fiberglass?
If you invest significant money in purchasing an RV, you will expect certain things from it.
Key Takeaways
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- Fiberglass RV Painting Enhances Appearance and Durability: Painting an RV’s fiberglass exterior improves its look and provides protection from harsh weather and road debris.
- Preparation is Crucial: Cleaning, sanding, and priming the RV surface ensures optimal paint adhesion and a professional finish. Properly masking non-paint areas with painter’s tape is essential for neat results.
- Choose the Right Materials:
- Paint: Two-part polyurethane paints are ideal for fiberglass due to their durability and ability to maintain gloss.
- Primer: Epoxy-based primers offer excellent adhesion and protection against stains and corrosion.
- Tools: A paint gun is recommended for even application and faster results, but hand-painting can be an alternative for beginners.
- Painting Technique Matters: Use even strokes with a paint gun, starting at the RV’s front and moving backward for uniform coverage. Allow adequate drying time between coats, typically 24 hours.
- Finishing Touches Enhance Longevity: Applying RV wax or a clear gloss coat protects the paint and gives the RV a professional appearance.
The first thing that comes to your mind is probably space and comfort. The second might be its engine performance and all other technical aspects. The color of your RV’s exterior is perhaps the last thing that strikes your mind.
However, for some people, it is all about the look.
And that’s not a problem; you want your RV to look great.
Understanding how to paint RV exterior fiberglass is essential for maintaining your recreational vehicle’s aesthetic and functional integrity. This process involves careful preparation, selecting the right materials, and applying appropriate techniques.
The aim is to enhance the appearance of your RV and protect it from harsh weather conditions and road debris.
If you don’t like your new RV’s paint because that particular shade might have been in trend at any time but no longer is and wish to give it a new personalized touch, or if your RV’s paint has worn out over the years, you need not worry.
Whatever the reason, you can always give your RV a new look.
Fortunately, the market has everything you need to paint your RV exterior.
Everything is easily available, from paints to waxes, palm sanders to painter’s tape. You need not worry about sending your RV to a workshop, as you can do it yourself, and the good thing is that it’s a fun process.
Before starting to paint, ensure that you have standard-quality fiberglass paint. Specialist fiberglass paint not only costs more, but it will also leave a better and more professional finish.
Fiberglass paints are available in matte, gloss, and high-gloss finishes.
Paints that contain acrylic, polyester, polyurethane, or epoxy are considered better as they give a firm, all-weather-resistant finish. Just ensure that it does not contain melamine or oil.
How To Paint Your RV Exterior Fiberglass?
Painting Preparation
First, park your RV in a shady, well-ventilated space like your driveway or garage. Then, collect all the essentials required, such as a palm sander, fine-grit sandpaper, denatured alcohol, a soft cotton cloth, detergent or soap water, and painter’s tape.
Clean the exterior fiberglass surface
Clean the entire outer surface of the RV using simple detergent/soap water and an automotive sponge to remove all adhering dust, grime, mud, and bird droppings. A ladder can be used to reach difficult areas and the rooftop.
Roughen up the surface of the RV
The Motorhome’s fiberglass should be roughened up to make it capable of accepting and absorbing the primer coat and paint. This roughening can be achieved with wet sandpaper with fine grit. Don’t spend too much time at a single spot, as it can lead to uneven final results. This whole process should be completed in an hour or so.
Wipe off the surface
Wipe off the whole sanded surface using denatured alcohol with a rag to remove the remaining (if any) grease after washing with detergent water. Protect the not-to-be-painted areas: Cover the areas like knobs, windshields, mirrors, and window panes with heavy paper and painter’s tape.
What kind of paint do you use on fiberglass?
When considering the question, the superior choice is two-part polyurethane paints. These paints are highly regarded for their durability and capability to maintain gloss over an extended period. Although they possess a thinner consistency, necessitating multiple applications, the result is worth the effort.
The chemical reaction during the drying process hardens the paint to a robust finish that can withstand the test of time, making these paints an optimal choice for fiberglass surfaces.
What kind of primer do you use on fiberglass?
When working with fiberglass, your primer can greatly influence the final result. Most professionals typically choose an epoxy primer, which provides excellent adhesion, sealing properties, and resistance to stains and corrosion.
It forms a solid, durable base to which paint can adhere, enabling a long-lasting finish. Preparing the fiberglass surface before applying the primer is vital to achieving an optimal result.
Painting steps
Before starting the painting steps, keep epoxy-based primer, fiberglass paint, a paint gun, and acetone handy. Painting is not as simple as it might seem. One must be very careful and patient while tackling a paintbrush or paintgun.
You can choose hand-painting if you are unfamiliar with handling a paint gun. However, hand-painting is a very slow process and may not give a smooth and even finish. The faster alternative is a paint gun. It takes less time and gives a nice, professional-like finish. You can buy or rent one and experiment with it before applying it directly to your RV.
Once you get comfortable with handling it, the task becomes quite easy.
Clean the paint-gun
Clean the inner part of the paint gun using a soft cotton cloth soaked in acetone to ensure no remnants of paint used in previous painting jobs are present, as the paint remnants may ruin the paint to be used this time.
Prepare the required painting solution
To prepare the required paint, one must first understand the type of paint and desired finish. Then, follow the directions in the user manual and the paint package. Materials typically include the chosen paint, a mixing stick, and a clean container.
Begin by opening the paint can and stirring it thoroughly to create a uniform consistency. If the paint is too thick, add a small amount of water or thinner (according to the manufacturer’s instructions) and mix until the desired viscosity is achieved. Lastly, strain the paint to remove any lumps or impurities.
This process ensures a smooth application and optimal results for your painting project.
Apply the primer coat
Applying the primer coat is a critical step in the painting process. To apply the primer coat, ensure the surface is clean, dry, and free from loose or peeling paint. Use a brush or roller to apply the primer evenly, working in small sections simultaneously. Apply a single coat of primer on the exterior surface of the RV to make the paint adhere to the fiberglass firmly.
The primer should be allowed to dry thoroughly, typically for at least a few hours, before applying any top layers of paint. It’s important to note that some surfaces may require more than one coat of primer for optimal coverage and adherence to the final paint layer.
Following these steps on how to apply the primer coat will result in a smooth, professional finish.
Load the gun with the paint
Fill the mixture in a paint gun and apply long and even paint strokes. This task must be done carefully to avoid drips or runs. It is advised to start from the front part of the RV and move backward. This helps achieve an even appearance.
Allow the paint to dry.
Leave the RV to dry on a gel coat for 24 Hours. Apply the second coat the next day in the same manner as before. Examine that the entire fiberglass surface is evenly covered and no area is left behind. If any unevenly painted area is spotted, clean it using sandpaper and paint it again.
Final Step
Once you finish painting, the final step is to make your RV look as fantastic as new. All you will need is RV wax and a soft cotton cloth. Some prefer a gloss clear coat; if so, apply it as directed on the product’s packaging.
Apply a coating of RV wax in circular motions with a soft cotton cloth. This coating protects the paint coat and also gives it a shining appearance.
The heavy paper and painter’s tape can be removed now, ensuring the paint coat doesn’t peel off with it.
Final Thoughts
Painting your RV gives it a new look and extends its life. What seemed to be an arduous task initially can be easily achieved by breaking the process into small steps and being prepared with all the required equipment.
Now that you have the look you want for your RV, the task is not over. You need to take good care of your motor-van to make the paint last longer and continue to provide recreational vacations. Just as you invest your time in keeping your RV’s interior neat and organized, you also need to pay equal attention to the exterior.
Always park your RV under shade to protect it against UV rays, wash it regularly to get rid of dirt and bird droppings, and drive carefully to prevent scratches or dents. Take care of your RV, which will pay you back for relaxing, fun vacations.
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