What Kind of Paint is Best to Use on Fiberglass Door?

Fiberglass is a material that does not deteriorate, attract mold, or form rust. It’s therefore a perfect addition to any new home.

Additionally, builders most commonly prefer using fiberglass doors as the front doors and back doors of a home because they are less expensive compared to wood and metal doors.

While most fiberglass doors are known for their mold and rust resistance properties and can be painted, it’s essential to choose the right kind, to ensure the finishing lasts longer.

Also, when it’s about painting your fiberglass doors you should keep in mind that the initial builders should have already primed the fiberglass for a future paint job.

The 3 Best Paint for Fiberglass Doors

There are several factors that you must consider before you choose the right type of paint for your fiberglass door. The primary ones include the door condition, the appearance you want, and the recommendation of the manufacturer.

Below are the top three paints to use on fiberglass doors. Based on the usage you can use the one that is most suitable for you.

1) Acrylic Paint

100% acrylic paint is one of the best paints you can use for painting your fiberglass doors. According to the experts, high-quality paint is recommended for a semi-gloss or satin finish. You shouldn’t need more than a quart of paint for one fiberglass entry door.

However, before picking, check with the manufacturer of the door whether they recommend water-based paint on their doors or not. Also, the hinges might have a label that offers instructions on how to apply finishing to the door.

2) Alkyd Paint

Alkyd paint has an oil ingredient inside of it. Even though the paint takes a long time to dry, it’s a great coating to use on fiberglass house doors.

If you’re painting an exterior door, you’ll need to leave the door open somewhat to dry out. But you must be careful of the sunlight because the UV rays can fade the paint, especially if you use blue or red paint colors.

Once you have applied this paint, your only responsibility is to clean the paint surface periodically and make sure it stays dry.

3) Stain & Varnish

If you desire your fiberglass doors to resemble wood doors, you can consider staining and varnishing them to achieve this effect.

Gel stain (like Minwax®) is good for certain fiberglass doors (like your exterior garage door). After thinning it in mineral spirits, you can apply it using a simple rag or brush.

If you want an authentic appearance, a wood-graining tool can also be used. Clear varnish must be applied to protect the doors afterward and to retain the fake natural wood appearance.

What paint finish to use on fiberglass?

In general, there are three types of fiberglass paint finishes that can be used – high gloss, semi-gloss, and low gloss. All of them will have their respective pros and cons.

A semi-gloss or satin is the best finish for fiberglass exterior doors. But you should be deciding, based on various factors.

• Choose a high-gloss paint if you wish to attract the attention of guests
• Go for a semi-gloss or satin finish paint if you don’t want your front door to stand out
• Pick the low gloss paint if you need to get a more conservative-looking fiberglass door

TIP: When picking the paint coating for your fiberglass door do not choose melamine paints and oil-based paints that can weaken the structural integrity of your fiberglass door.

Also, regardless of the type of paint and gloss level you choose for the exterior fiberglass door, make sure it is rated as an “exterior paint” that can resist different weathering conditions.

---

Can You Use Epoxy Resin on Fiberglass Door?

Yes, you can use any resin-based paint on FRP. But with epoxy resin paints, it’s recommended to use them only for epoxy resin fiberglass.

Since there are different types of fiberglass (epoxy resin and polyester-based resin), knowing what type of resin-based paint will bond properly with the specific type you have in your home is important.

• Use epoxy resin paint for an epoxy resin fiberglass
• Use polyester-based paint for the fiberglass that is polyester-resin

While epoxy comes with a slight amber hue and a bit of yellow tint, polyester resin is more brittle. Additionally, epoxy resin fiberglass doors are more expensive, more waterproof, and stronger than polyester-based resin.

By knowing these features you can hopefully figure out which type of resin your FRP door has.

If you are not sure about the resin of your fiberglass door, get in touch with your fiberglass door’s manufacturer to get the proper instructions.

Do You Need to Primer Fiberglass Doors Before Painting?

Whether you are painting a new fiberglass entry door or an old and worn-out one you definitely need to add primer to the surface of it before painting.

When buying a primer for fiberglass entry doors, see if you can find a bonding primer that is made for exterior surfaces. But if you have an interior fiberglass door, you don’t necessarily need an exterior primer.

You can find all sorts of formulas used to make bonding primers and their core ingredient could be water, oil, or shellac. If you choose the oil-based bonding primer, you’ll have to wait longer for it to dry. However, the faster bonding primers are based on water or shellac.

You can also go with latex primers that can work with most types of fiberglass and fiberglass paints. Make sure, you do not use etching primers as they are not compatible with textured fiberglass doors.

What is the Best Way to Paint a Fiberglass Door in Your House?

The best way to paint a fiberglass door is by using a painter’s synthetic brush. I don’t recommend using a paint spray gun for FRP doors unless you are an expert in the field.

Also, before you start, it’s good to check with the manufacturer of the door to make sure it’s paintable or not.

In case it’s previously coated and is paintable, you should start with weatherstripping and cleaning the door. Here are the exact steps you should try to follow…

1. Following the manufacturer’s instructions remove the weatherstripping from the door using a soft-bristled brush
2. Wash the door using dish soap and a warm water solution. You can use a sponge or a clean cotton cloth to gently wipe clean the entire door
3. After ensuring there isn’t any soap left, allow 2 to 5 hours to dry the door completely
4. Now cover all the hardware (like door jamb, doorknob, handle, etc) with a painter’s tape
5. If you want to paint the door without removing it from its frame also cover the area underneath your door with a newspaper or an old dry rag
6. When done, apply the primer evenly on the surface
7. Most FRP doors will be finished with only two coats, so resist the temptation of applying too many coats as it would not be necessary

The bottom line

When painting a fiberglass door, it’s important to carefully prepare the surface and choose the right type of paint.

Water-based acrylic and oil-based alkyd can both work well, but the key is selecting a paint formulated specifically for use on your specific fiberglass material. When selecting acrylic (100%), polyester, polyurethane, or epoxy paints, make sure it has the same base as that of the fiberglass resin door in your home.

Taking the time to do it right the first time will ensure your door looks great and continues to function properly for years to come.