Fiberglass questions
Hello everyone! In my search for a new van, I am thinking of getting one with a high fiberglass top. Or having a top (used or new) put onto a van. I'm reading up on restoring fiberglass and hav...
Forum Discussion
Paint does protect the resin (of gel coat) from UV deterioration, but manufacturers don't paint new gel coated structures as this coat is considered sacrificial. Users don't usually paint their new vans or boats either, but apply a UV spray like 303 to prolong the resin life (not below the waterline of course). By the time the gel will have deteriorated, there is no sense painting it, you need to re-coat it with gel again - nothing complicated but it's a messy and dusty work. I would imagine painting the gel coat, at some point between it being brand new and totally gone. Not when it's new, and not when it needs re-coating already. Keep in mind that painting the gel will make re-coating more difficult.
Any product able to really restore FG or gel, has to be a 2-part resin again. Otherwise it's a cosmetic restoration only.
About "leaking" - not totally impossible, but this wouldn't be caused by porosity of FG structure. Gel wears out from abrasion or deteriorates from UV, then resin in FG structure deteriorates, FG cracks along stress lines, and then it may leak. At this point it's literally falling apart, and leaks will be the least of your problems. Should take many years.
Any product able to really restore FG or gel, has to be a 2-part resin again. Otherwise it's a cosmetic restoration only.
About "leaking" - not totally impossible, but this wouldn't be caused by porosity of FG structure. Gel wears out from abrasion or deteriorates from UV, then resin in FG structure deteriorates, FG cracks along stress lines, and then it may leak. At this point it's literally falling apart, and leaks will be the least of your problems. Should take many years.
