How to Repair and Paint a Fiberglass Hood

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In this video I will be showing you how to repair any light damage and paint a fiberglass hood for a lawn tractor. This is more on the budget friendly side, if done right you can achieve excellent results. This can be used on other forms of fiberglass panels as well such as boats, snowmobiles, other recreational equipment, etc.

Here are the Amazon links for some of the products used in the video:
USA:
Chemical rust treatment: https://amzn.to/3onBdoE
Wax and grease remover: https://amzn.to/2M6xvCV
Glazing putty: https://amzn.to/3iQiAbS
Filler Primer: https://amzn.to/3iQSOnT
Backing pad: https://amzn.to/3qUc5rl
220 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/3sZf5V7
320 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/2YfzAPt
400 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/3qOEO0G
600 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/3t020uP
Safety glasses: https://amzn.to/3b3xMix
Rubber gloves: https://amzn.to/3tXng51
Canada:
Chemical rust treatment: https://amzn.to/3osNlVK
Wax and grease remover: https://amzn.to/39nLn4F
Glazing putty: https://amzn.to/3pmn1Ob
Filler Primer: https://amzn.to/2NucGl5
Backing pad: https://amzn.to/2M71Hhg
220 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/2YjmoJe
320 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/36cqjfi
400 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/3qVYXlK
600 grit sandpaper: https://amzn.to/2YhR9OJ
Safety glasses: https://amzn.to/37hVPJw
Rubber gloves: https://amzn.to/2NpGwHF

Peel off any decals and remove any leftover residue from the decal using a wax and grease remover.

Block the hood with 320 grit sandpaper. I have a flexible rubber backing pad on the backside of the sandpaper to keep a smooth sanding surface so I don’t create any deformities. For any surface damage, use 220 sandpaper by hand to remove any loose material in these areas. Clean the area with a wax and grease remover. Use a two part spot or also known as a glazing filler to fill in any of the light surface damage. Apply the filler with the plastic applicator.

Using 320 grit sandpaper with a rubber backer to keep the surface free of any waves and sand the filler. Clean the hood with a wax and grease remover again, both on the inside and outside. Any cut edges were sanded with 320 grit sandpaper too.

Applying a primer. Primer is available in a variety of colors, a primer color can affect the final paint color too so be mindful of that. This is a high build primer which is great for filling in any sanding marks or slight imperfections that I may have missed. Start with lighter coats first, then medium coats after without causing any runs. All spots with filler have primer applied, otherwise you’ll be left with outlining or ghosting in the final paint finish. The cut edges also have primer applied. Typically you’ll need to wait 10 minutes in between coats, however this can vary based on the thickness of primer applied and temperature.

Once dry, using 400 grit sandpaper, again with a backing pad, the whole hood is sanded. Removing any overspray and orange peel left being from the primer. Work in multiple directions, ensuring the whole hood is sanded and you have an even surface.

Clean any sanding debris with a clean cloth, then finished wiping down the surface with a lint-free cloth and isopropyl alcohol. Both the inside and outside of the hood were cleaned.

First is painting the inside, the part which you’ll want the nicest finish will be left for the last. Mix the paint accordingly, there is a variety of paints available on the market. This is a single-stage paint, so no clear coat is needed. A two-stage paint could also be used which is a base and clear coat and you can even have custom colors mixed based on your project.

The first coat will be light, try to get the hard to reach edges first and direct the spray in such a way where you’re pushing the overspray away from a newly applied coat, this will help minimize overspray and orange peel. Wait about 10 minutes in between coats, this can vary depending on your paint thickness and temperature. Always ensure the can is mixed. Three coats were applied on the inside, first was the light coat, then was two medium coats.

I let the hood dry for about 30min, then flipped it over. I have a stand that only had contact on the center of the hood where no paint was applied. The hood is cleaned out the outside again with isopropyl alcohol.

Mix the paint accordingly again, using the same process, apply a light coat hear starting with the hard to reach edges first, then finish up on the large exposed areas pushing away the overspray from the newly applied paint. Dry times do vary, I left it for 48hrs before installing it back onto the tractor.

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