Removing Paint from Fiberglass

Written by Cassandra Merkling (last updated January 2, 2023)

There are a few options for removing paint from fiberglass. As is the case with any stain or any other blemish removal method on any surface you care about, always do a spot test on an inconspicuous area of the fiberglass. There are three options that you can use for removing paint from fiberglass. They may require a little elbow grease, but with these methods your task is possible.

  • Cleansers. The first option that you can try is to try to scrape the paint off. Go slowly and gently, inasmuch as that is possible; you do not want to scratch the surface of your fiberglass. Use a plastic scraper for this job. Bar Keeper's Friend cleaner and polish can be applied once you have finished your scraping, and you can then begin gently scrubbing at the surface, trying to remove the paint. You may wish to use a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser, which is good at removing all sorts of stains.
  • Baking soda. Another choice is to use a wet sponge to rub baking soda onto the surface, a great way of avoiding making your surrounding air smell like chemicals. Try a paint spot remover (like Oops) or thinner (take care it does not damage your fiberglass finish), or you can make an attempt by using a nonabrasive household cleanser. Dirtex spray is also a useful option for latex paint.
  • Paint thinner. You can try applying paint stripper and letting it sit, scrubbing with a Scotch Brite pad or using the aforementioned scraper, and then wiping the paint stripper off with a rag dipped in denatured alcohol until the surface is all clear (if you do this, wait two hours before coating with new paint, if that is your plan). Another idea is to use spray oven cleaner or aircraft paint remover.

In the end, what you use will depend on how much paint there is to remove and what the end of result you want (large area, small area, etc.) is. For example, spray paint can be removed pretty well from a lot of surfaces with hairspray, but it is hard to get a can big enough to cover an entire side of a large boat. You would do better in that case to try something that is available in larger quantities and can be applied in larger areas at a time.

Author Bio

Cassandra Merkling

MORE FROM CASSANDRA

Closet Organization

A closet can be a pleasant place or an unpleasant place, and which it is largely depends on how organized you keep it. ...

Discover More

Organizing Your Laundry Room

The laundry room can be the single most-dreaded place in the house. But, there are some tips that will make it a more ...

Discover More

Choosing the Best Photo Albums for You

Photo albums can be quite mysterious to the amateur photo collector. Think about a few features you would like in a photo ...

Discover More

The Power of Microfiber! Zwipes Microfiber Cleaning Cloths will become your favorite tool for every cleaning task. This 36-cloth package is perfect for hundreds of uses in the garage, kitchen, bathroom, laundry, and all around the house. Each cloth is tough, streak-free, lint-free, reusable, and washable. Check out Microfiber Cleaning Cloths today!

More Cleaning Tips

Mold Removal

Mold can be a pain to have, but it doesn't have to be hard to remove. Just make up one or two of these cleaners and ...

Discover More

Mold Cleaning Strategies

With just the slightest bit of moisture, and a little bit of darkness, you can easily find yourself faced with a mold ...

Discover More

Removing Butter Stains

Butter and other grease stains can be removed easily with most any household cleaner. WD-40 and hairspray can also be ...

Discover More
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

View most recent newsletter.

Comments

If you would like to add an image to your comment (not an avatar, but an image to help in making the point of your comment), include the characters [{fig}] (all 7 characters, in the sequence shown) in your comment text. You’ll be prompted to upload your image when you submit the comment. Maximum image size is 6Mpixels. Images larger than 600px wide or 1000px tall will be reduced. Up to three images may be included in a comment. All images are subject to review. Commenting privileges may be curtailed if inappropriate images are posted.

What is seven less than 7?

There are currently no comments for this tip. (Be the first to leave your comment—just use the simple form above!)


Newest Tips
Subscribe

FREE SERVICE: Get tips like this every week in Cleaning Tips from Tips.Net. Enter your address and click "Subscribe."

(Your e-mail address is not shared with anyone, ever.)

View the most recent newsletter.