Cleaning Paint Off of Fiberglass

Fiberglass is perhaps one of the most utilized materials in the home today. This versatile material can be found in just about any bathroom, work room, or kitchen in almost any home. As such you can find just about any type of stain, such as paint, on it at any given time. Luckily, cleaning paint off of fiberglass isn't that difficult to do as long as you follow the proper steps.

1. Check to see if it is a stain. Before you can actually begin cleaning paint off of fiberglass, you need to double check and ensure that it really is a stain. Many times fiberglass will age and discolor over time. This can end up looking like a paint stain, when it is in fact not. Often this will appear as an area that is a different shade of the same color as the rest of your fiberglass surface. If the "stained" area is actually a completely different color, or you happened to see the paint spill, then you will need to proceed with stripping the paint from your fiberglass.
2. Which technique will you use? There are primarily two methods that you can use for removing paint from a fiberglass surface. One method is to utilize chemicals that have been designed to penetrate the enamel that could be included in the paint. If you use this method, be sure that you carefully read the instructions, and provide plenty of ventilation prior to starting. The second, and often quicker, method for removing paint from fiberglass is to use abrasives. One example would be to use sand paper, or if the surface is large enough use a sandblaster.
3. Utilize your method. Utilize whichever method you decided upon to begin removing the stain. Be aware that you will need to be particularly careful when using an abrasive method since you could potentially damage the fiberglass that is underneath the paint. Whichever method you decided to utilize just be sure that you begin by starting in an inconspicuous location in case there is any accidental damage.
4. Clean up, and reseal. Upon removing the stain, clean up the mess that was left behind. Be sure that you completely, and thoroughly, clean the area that you just worked on. This will ensure that you do not leave anything behind accidentally which could create difficulties when resealing or repainting. Purchase and apply some sealer and paint if necessary. Apply these according to the manufacturer's directions, and then clean up once again. You are now finished.