Painting Fiberglass

[rpgdeity]

Seems to be quite a few questions regarding paint and what not, I have a question regarding painting fiberglass. I plan on using the Gillespie red primer as well as a Gillespie color on top, can I use those to paint fiberglass? I have a fiberglass hardtop and it appears to be painted with regular type paint on top, then a primer color underneath. Someone mentioned something about gel coats, but I don't know if this applies to me. Anyone have experience with this? Or at least could tell me what I need to find out about the type of fiberglass I have to determine if paint will stick to it. I can't imagine why painting it like the rest of my 715 wouldn't work, but I thought I'd ask before I painted the whole thing. I have no experience at all working with fiberglass. Thank you.

[ColHart]

I have a lot of experience painting fiberglass being in the composite lab on the Navy base. I have never used Gillespie product, but if the surface has been sanded, cleaned and prep'd right, I don't see a problem. Fisherman would know better since, he has done boats too and has used Gillespie stuff. We usually clean the surface really well with Isopropyl Alchohol and clean rags after a Al oxide blasting.

[rpgdeity]

Thats good to hear, I'll continue on with my plan of painting it then, thank you.

Now by any chance to you have any experience in patching fiberglass? I have a small "tear" in one of the window corners on my top. I need to get that fixed.

[ColHart]

I'm not the pro tech. but I know them very well and can ask and return info. maybe with some tech write ups with pics, we can answer your questions.

[rpgdeity]

That would be awesome, I'm just looking for info on what I need to get and the procedures to do it. I have a general idea as to how I need to patch this tear, but any further more specific info, especially from some fiberglass pros would be greatly appreciated.