WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO PAINT FRP?
FRP is a superior and more durable solution than traditional metal or wood for outdoor and indoor use. Using industrial coatings or paints, FRP can be further protected against UV damage and water incursion. When we say paints, we aren’t talking about any regular off-the-shelf can of paint. We mean industrial coatings that serve a purpose beyond aesthetics. In the FRP industry, these coatings are applied during the finishing process. For this discussion, we’ll refer to these coatings as “paints.”
INDUSTRIAL FRP PAINTS
Painting FRP adds a barrier against UV light and water, both fresh and ocean varieties. Not only does the paint protect the FRP but it also looks appealing and can come in a variety of colors. It can be painted both during the manufacturing process as well as later for maintenance.
THE TWO MOST SUITABLE PAINTS FOR USE ON FRP
You already know that FRP is short for fiber-reinforced plastic. However, did you know that due to its makeup, not all paint will properly protect against UV and water incursion? Acrylic paint, for example, is fine for FRP products used indoors with no special needs. However, when exposed to UV light, acrylic paint provides little protection. The two categories of paint most suitable for outdoor use on FRP are polymer-based—epoxy and polyester.
Epoxy and Polyester Based Paints
Both of these paints are made from plastics but polyester-based paint just needs air to cure and comes in a one-part solution. On the other hand, epoxy paint needs a catalyst, temperature, and air for curing. Epoxy comes in two parts in separate containers of equal volume, or sometimes slightly different volumes.
Since both categories of paints are just plastics within a volatile liquid substance, they stick to the resins used in FRP. Now, you can use any resin-based paint on any type of FRP. However, for best results, it’s better to pair paints with FRP using the same resin. Similar resins always bond better together than mixing.