Thinking about painting my fiberglass window frames since they're looking kinda faded and meh these days. But I've heard mixed things about how well paint sticks to fiberglass long-term. Don't wanna spend a weekend painting just to have it peel off in a year or two, you know? Quick poll: have you painted fiberglass frames before, and if you did, did it actually last or was it a waste of time? Curious what most folks here have experienced.
I painted mine about three years ago, and honestly, it's held up better than I expected. The trick is all in the prep work—if you skip steps here, you'll regret it later. First, clean the frames thoroughly with soap and water, then lightly sand to roughen the surface. After sanding, wipe down with a tack cloth to remove dust. Use a good-quality primer specifically for fiberglass, then apply two thin coats of exterior-grade paint. Mine still look pretty decent...no peeling yet, fingers crossed.
I debated painting mine last summer but chickened out after reading horror stories about peeling and bubbling. Your experience makes me reconsider though...sounds like prep really is key. I guess if you're patient enough to do it right, it's worth the effort. Did you use a brush or spray paint? I've heard spraying gives a smoother finish, but I'm worried about overspray and mess. Still on the fence, but your three-year success story is pretty convincing.
I've seen a ton of fiberglass window paint jobs—some good, some...well, let's just say not so good. A few quick thoughts:
- Prep definitely matters, but honestly, even perfect prep doesn't guarantee zero peeling down the line. Fiberglass expands and contracts differently than paint, so eventually you might see some issues.
- Spraying does give a smoother finish, but you're right about overspray being a pain. Seen too many DIYers accidentally paint their bushes, sidewalks, or even cars parked nearby (yikes). If you do spray, mask EVERYTHING.
- Brush painting can look surprisingly good if you use quality brushes and thin coats. Plus fewer neighbors glaring at you for the accidental polka-dot paint job on their driveway.
- Have you considered just leaving them as-is or maybe going with vinyl wraps? I've seen some pretty impressive wraps lately—no peeling worries and way less mess.
Bottom line: painting fiberglass windows isn't impossible, but it's definitely not a set-it-and-forget-it project. If you're cool with occasional touch-ups and careful prep, go for it. If not...maybe embrace the original look?