How to Paint a Fiberglass Door Smooth
Painting a fiberglass door is an easy and affordable way to update your home. Fiberglass doors are durable, paintable, and come in a variety of colors. Painting them with the proper techniques will create a smooth finish that is beautiful and functional for years to come. Follow these steps below on how to paint a fiberglass door smooth to get the best results!
It’s essential to choose the right kind for you and know how much paint will be needed before starting. If it is too thin, it may not cover well enough, but if it is too thick, there will be drips or runs that could ruin your work later on. With these tips in mind, read on to learn more about painting a fiberglass door smooth!
Things to Consider When Painting a Fiberglass Door Smooth
1. Use a Primer:
A primer will help paint stick to fiberglass. If you want a smooth finish, use a primer before putting on the color of your choice. The primer also acts as an adhesive coat that helps the topcoat adhere to the fiberglass door panels for long-lasting durability and protection from scratches.
2. Sanding:
A crucial step in painting fiberglass is to sand the surface before you get started. Use low-grit sandpaper (80 or 100) and rub it over the entire door panel to make the surface rougher for better paint adhesion.
3. Make Sure You Have Enough Paint:
The key to painting doors is to make sure you have enough paint. Sometimes people skimp on paint because they don’t think the project will require much, but after the first coat dries, you usually want to apply a second coat according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
4. Paint Codes:
You must use paint that matches the original color on your doors so that the new layer will check the rest of the surface. Most manufacturers provide a number or code for you to use when shopping at home improvement stores to be sure you are buying the correct product.
5. Use Paintbrushes:
It is essential to use paintbrushes rather than rolling when it comes to painting fiberglass doors. Because it is a flat surface, you want to use a brush to give it a smooth finish and create an even coat for the best results.
6. Get a Good Finish:
One of the keys to painting fiberglass doors is to make sure you get a smooth finish. If you want your door to look like it is made from wood or metal, use special brushes and rollers designed for that purpose.
What do You Need to Paint a Fiberglass Door Smooth?
- 3-5 paint brushes
- A utility knife with blades
- An electric hand planer or belt sander
- 220 grit sandpaper for the palm sander
- Spray paint
- Clean rags and paper towels
4 Methods to Follow: How to Paint a Fiberglass Door Smooth
Method 1: Sanding the Fiberglass Door Smooth
You are going to need 220 grit sandpaper for this step. You will start by roughing up the surface of the fiberglass with about 10-15 seconds of sanding. Next, move from side to side over the entire surface of your door with the sandpaper, but not in a back and forth motion.
Then, you will start on a more gentle approach with about 30 seconds of sanding on each section. You can avoid going through the paint or being too rough on your fiberglass door with this method. You can do roughly 3-4 sides per side. The door on the left shows sanding marks, while the one on the right has been sanded more gently.
Method 2: Using Belt Sander
For this step, you will be using hand planers (or electric belt sanders) to work down the door gently. Again, you will want to start at one corner of your door and then alternate between working on one side or another.
You will do 30 seconds per section, with light pressure as you stop in each spot. Once you have done this for all four sides, move on to buffing with 220 grit sandpaper and repeat the process until you have a smooth finish on your fiberglass door.
Method 3: Using an Electric Hand Planer and a Buffing Wheel
Start with the hand planer across one side of your door, with roughly 30 seconds of sanding time with light pressure. Then, you will move on to buffing by attaching a buffing wheel to your hand planer. Make sure to use water as lubrication and set the speed of the machine to roughly 4.0-5.0, with a speed attachment for fiberglass if available.
Start by passing over the door in one direction and then moving downwards when you reach the bottom. You will want to keep your hand planer at 90 degrees to your surface as much as possible to avoid creating dips in your door.
Method 4: Using a Spray Paint
If you are looking for a fast, easy way to paint your fiberglass door, then this method may be the way to go. First, you want to sand down the surface of your door with 220 grit sandpaper and then continue onto 320 grit sandpaper if necessary. Next, clean off any dust that remains on the surface. Next, you want to wipe down the current paint on your door with a wet rag and let it dry.
Then, apply at least two coats of primer to your fiberglass door and wait for it to dry before continuing completely. Finally, spray painting is as simple as holding your can about 18 inches away from the surface and spraying in even strokes from top to bottom. A little bit of paint will go a long way, meaning that you do not have to use heavy coats.
Note: Remember to tape off your door if needed! This is the only step in which masking may be necessary.
Final Words
There are several steps involved in this process, including sanding the door down and removing any debris from its surface with a vacuum cleaner or cloth. Make sure you cover up anything that shouldn’t be painted yourself, so your clothes don’t get stained by splatters. When all surfaces have been prepared, apply primer using an oil-based brush before applying two coats of latex paint for maximum coverage and durability.
With the right tools and a little patience, anyone can paint their fiberglass door smooth. We hope that you learned something new about how to paint a fiberglass door smooth and look like new again in this article. If not, we’ve included some helpful links below so you can find additional information on painting doors of all different materials yourself. Thanks for reading!
