Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Cleaning Products
• Part 2 of 3: Using Appropriate Techniques
• Part 3 of 3: Precautions
• What do you need

Fiberglass is a synthetic material that is made up of plastic resin and glass fibers. Many household and other items are made from fiberglass, including sinks, showers, bathtubs, lighting fixtures and boats. There are special ways to care for fiberglass items to keep them clean. Care should be taken when doing this, as fiberglass can be hazardous to the skin and lungs.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Right Cleaning Products

1. 1 Start with a mild cleaning agent such as liquid dish soap. Using dish soap will remove most of the grease stains. Do not use dishwasher detergent as it may be too abrasive for the fiberglass.
   • The detergent must not contain bleach. Bleach can also damage fiberglass, so make sure it is not in the mild detergent of your choice.
   • You can also make a simple cleaning agent yourself by mixing vinegar with regular dish soap. This cleaning agent is especially suitable for cleaning shower cabins.
2. 2 Use baking soda to remove dried-on dirt. Mix baking soda with water to create a paste that can be used to remove dirt from surfaces such as the shower door or sink. Apply the paste to the dirty area and leave it there for at least 12 hours. Then wash off the paste with soap and water.
   • The paste may turn brown after it has absorbed the dirt.
   • You can use vinegar to activate the baking soda after it has been on the fiberglass for the allotted amount of time to help clean the surface better. The mixture will bubble a little, and then you can wipe down the fiberglass to get rid of the baking soda and dirt.
3. 3 Remove paint stains with acetone or paint thinner. Both of these products can be dangerous, so use them with care. Acetone and paint thinner should only be used to remove oil or paint stains.
   • These products can damage the fiberglass, so only use them for stubborn stains. Apply acetone or paint thinner to specific areas to avoid damaging areas that are not heavily soiled.
   • Wear thick gloves when using acetone or paint thinner. It is also advisable to wear safety glasses so that harmful substances do not get into the eyes.
4. 4 Try phosphoric acid (a rust remover) to remove stubborn water stains. This acid is dangerous, so be careful when handling it. Dilute the acid with water - this will loosen it up without damaging the fiberglass.
   • Dilute the rust remover to about 10% with water to make it less hazardous. Stir the solution gently before applying it to the fiberglass surface.
   • This cleaner can be dangerous, so be sure to wear rubber gloves. After applying rust remover, immediately wash the fiberglass surface with water. Do not leave the acid solution on the fiberglass for long.
   • For a safer alternative, try removing water stains with a paste of white vinegar and baking soda. Leave the mixture on the stain for one hour, then lightly rub the surface and wash it off with clean water.Add a drop of liquid soap or hydrogen peroxide to the water to help clean the surface.
5. 5 Try cleaning the fiberglass boat hull with wax, silicone, or detergent (however, be aware that silicone will make further repairs very difficult). If you own a fiberglass boat, you probably want the hull to shine. These cleaning products can be purchased at a fishing and tourism store - ask the seller for advice on the best option for your boat.
   • A good boat polish creates a protective layer on the gel-coated fiberglass surface that protects the hull from environmental influences. With its help, you will protect the boat's hull from water and give it a beautiful look.
   • Old boats with fiberglass hulls, which are often used, are sometimes better treated with silicone varnish as it absorbs better into the surface. If you have a fairly old or used boat, try to surface more frequently and regularly.
   • If you take your fiberglass boat out of the water after each use, wash it thoroughly with a mild detergent and rinse with water. This is especially important if you are using the boat in seawater. Salt water can severely damage fiberglass surfaces.
   • If mold develops on the boat's hull, add 1 cup (240 milliliters) of bleach for every 4 liters of cleaning solution to kill it.

Part 2 of 3: Using Appropriate Techniques

1. 1 Do not use wire brushes or wire brushes for regular cleaning of fiberglass. These brushes can scratch the fiberglass and destroy the surface layer of the gel. Even if the dirt is deeply embedded in the material, it is best not to use hard brushes to get rid of it.
   • Also, do not use wire scouring pads, scrapers, or abrasive sponges. These are too hard tools for fiberglass.
2. 2 Lightly scrub the cleaner over the fiberglass with a rag or soft nylon brush. The brush should be flexible and flexible enough. Fiberglass is easy to scratch, so be very careful even when removing stubborn stains.
   • When cleaning fiberglass, try to use circular motions. In this case, you will not damage the surface.
   • Stubborn stains can be rubbed with a tougher cloth. However, it must be soft enough not to damage the fiberglass.
3. 3 Use a sponge to remove particularly stubborn stains. A sponge can come in handy if you need to leave the cleaner on the surface for a while. Use a soft, non-abrasive sponge.
   • A sponge can be especially useful when combined with a baking soda paste. The baking soda paste should remain on the surface for a while before you add the vinegar.
   • The sponge can absorb the cleaning agent applied to the fiberglass. It can also wipe dirt off the fiberglass.
4. 4 Apply white polish to the boat surface with a soft cloth. When doing this, use a clean cloth and apply only light pressure. Ideally, the polish should give the fiberglass surface a clean, white sheen.
   • Apply white polish with a soft cloth only after cleaning the fiberglass. Polishing should complete the cleaning process.
   • Use white polish several times a year to keep the glass fiber shiny. The product should be applied after the boat has been used several times or has been in storage for some time.

Part 3 of 3: Precautions

1. 1 Wear a mask when cleaning fiberglass. Inhaling fiberglass dust that forms when it is damaged, cut, broken, or sanded down can be hazardous. Although the irritation from this dust is temporary, it is very unpleasant.
   • Fiberglass and its dust can irritate the skin, eyes and respiratory tract.While this does not lead to long-term problems in most cases, irritation can be quite painful.
   • Problems can be serious, depending on the length of contact with the fiberglass and the size of the fibers. Fiberglass dust can damage internal organs, although this happens very rarely when cleaning fiberglass.
2. 2 Wear protective clothing when cleaning fiberglass. Fiberglass can irritate the skin. With prolonged contact, a rash may even appear on the skin. Always wear long sleeves when handling fiberglass, and change into clean clothes when finished. Long sleeves will protect your skin, and a change of clothing is essential to keep fiberglass dust out of your skin after work.
   • Minimize possible bare skin contact with fiberglass. Gloves, long sleeves and trousers are required when handling fiberglass.
   • Wash clothing used with fiberglass separately from other items. Otherwise, fiberglass dust may get onto other clothing.
3. 3 Wear safety glasses when handling fiberglass. Fiberglass can irritate and damage your eyes. Eye irritation is more serious than respiratory irritation as it can cause permanent damage.
   • Fiberglass particles can enter the eyes and irritate them. Safety glasses will minimize contact with fiberglass and prevent eye irritation.
   • Sharp fiberglass particles can seriously injure your eyes if not properly protected. If in contact with the eyes, such particles can cause permanent damage and problems.

What do you need

• Liquid dishwashing detergent
• Sponge or rag
• Acetone (nail polish remover) or paint thinner
• Baking soda
• Latex gloves
• Soft nylon brush
• Water
• Phosphoric acid (rust remover)
• Anti-fine particle mask
• Protective clothing