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Fiberglass Ladder Worn Coating
- Thread starter RMS52
- Start date
kctyphoon
Banned
Not sure many people do anything about it except buy a new ladder. Thats probably the best thing, but if its a 2 man ladder (steps on both sides) its probably expensive. I guess just weigh your options of time+aggravation+$$ spent vs buying a new one. I’m assuming its fiberglass? Realistically you can prob (without turning this into a huge project) just spray on any kind of clear coat with UV protection (the sun ruins everything). Maybe just hose if down and spray on a few coats of urethane, or some type of spray on marine clear coat (no idea if theres any difference) maybe its thicker? I’m guessing. If the issue is the fiberglass is coming through, getting in your skin, I’m betting you can probably use most anything to top coat it and get some more life out of the thing.. try youtube.. at work once they get like that or develop a crack, most just go in the dumpster.
One question worth asking is do you need a 2 man ladder?? Sometimes its just easier to buy new and make life easy. If it were me I’d just take trip to HD, look at what spray on clear coats were on the shelf and try one..
One question worth asking is do you need a 2 man ladder?? Sometimes its just easier to buy new and make life easy. If it were me I’d just take trip to HD, look at what spray on clear coats were on the shelf and try one..
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danski0224
Well-known member
It's junk. Time to cut it up and get a new one.
Seriously.
Whether it's been stored outside and the UV has blasted the gel coat off or actually used enough to have reached that point... but honestly, I've yet to see a well used fiberglass ladder get to that point before something else is wrong that makes it junk.
Seriously.
Whether it's been stored outside and the UV has blasted the gel coat off or actually used enough to have reached that point... but honestly, I've yet to see a well used fiberglass ladder get to that point before something else is wrong that makes it junk.
If the ladder is in good shape meaning no damage to the actual fiberglass or the rungs we will just redcoat them at work. We use this product. It does not last as long as the original gel coat but it keeps the fiberglass from coming off and going into your arms.
https://rainbowtechstore.com/blogs/blog/fiberglass-ladder-maintenance
https://rainbowtechstore.com/blogs/blog/fiberglass-ladder-maintenance
seber
Well-known member
Two part marine epoxy can be applied with a brush.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
If you are using it in an OSHA environment, don’t. It’s considered no longer usable. We have to get rid of them due to UV from sitting on top of work trucks over the years.
yamaha0343
Well-known member
This!If you are using it in an OSHA environment, don’t. It’s considered no longer usable.
metlmunchr
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2011
- Messages
- 1,278
Werner Ladder Co says its fine to recoat the weathered surfaces of fiberglass ladders, and they give recommended finishes at https://www.wernerco.com/docs/default-source/literature/gm6070-fg-techmanual.pdf?sfvrsn=dda06ff2_2
Epoxies are not among their recommended coatings, and this would be due to the fact that epoxies have very poor UV resistance and UV is the primary reason the surface degraded in the first place.
The urethane they recommend is PPG Deltron, which is an automotive grade urethane clear. Any other automotive grade clear should work equally well, as they are all formulated with UV resistance as a primary goal. Personally, I'd doubt any run of the mill spray bomb clears would have similar UV resistance.
There's also a recommendation for a paint made by Rustoleum which would be a much more economical solution as automotive clears typically start around $100/gal and go up from there to 4X that price.
I've looked but haven't found anything in OSHA regs outlawing the use of weathered fiberglass ladders. Perhaps someone can post a link to such information.
Epoxies are not among their recommended coatings, and this would be due to the fact that epoxies have very poor UV resistance and UV is the primary reason the surface degraded in the first place.
The urethane they recommend is PPG Deltron, which is an automotive grade urethane clear. Any other automotive grade clear should work equally well, as they are all formulated with UV resistance as a primary goal. Personally, I'd doubt any run of the mill spray bomb clears would have similar UV resistance.
There's also a recommendation for a paint made by Rustoleum which would be a much more economical solution as automotive clears typically start around $100/gal and go up from there to 4X that price.
I've looked but haven't found anything in OSHA regs outlawing the use of weathered fiberglass ladders. Perhaps someone can post a link to such information.
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RivennHewn
Well-known member
This!
Might want to replace the stickers as well.
A ladder, even in good condition, without stickers is a violation.
ScottsGT
Well-known member
LOL!! A quart of Deltron, activator and reducer is more than the cost of 3 or 4 ladders. I can see it if you are in a facility that has a lot of ladders and a place to do the spraying.
If you are using it in an OSHA environment, don’t. It’s considered no longer usable. We have to get rid of them due to UV from sitting on top of work trucks over the years.
I have a nice collection of serviceable ladders from my SIL (HVAC tech) because of this.
kctyphoon
Banned
If he just sprays on some clear urethane, he can spray right over the stickers.. his issue isnt the integrity of the fiberglass, just the topcoat being worn off. While i agree the ‘best’ (easiest) thing is to just replace it, i dont think theres anything wrong with at least trying to spray something on it to squeeze some more life out of it. If its something used at work all the time then it makes sense to move on. But realistically if i had one laying in my yard (i do) that just gets used at home, it wouldnt be replaced till pieces started falling off..
Fun fact - (most) step ladders arent OSHA approved to be used while folded and leaned up against a wall either. There are new models out now that are, but typically - No. You think that stops anybody? Lol
Fun fact - (most) step ladders arent OSHA approved to be used while folded and leaned up against a wall either. There are new models out now that are, but typically - No. You think that stops anybody? Lol
RivennHewn
Well-known member
Fun fact - (most) step ladders arent OSHA approved to be used while folded and leaned up against a wall either. There are new models out now that are, but typically - No. You think that stops anybody? Lol
Grounds for getting fired every where I work.
There are job sites now, were you have to get permission to use a ladder at all.
Then it’s only for preapproved task.
bbbarracuda
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2008
- Messages
- 709
I don’t remember what product was used, but the public utility I worked at, always sanded and recoated fiberglass ladders. Fiberglass is the only ladder allowed on property. Damage to only the coating was not considered a “red tag”.
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I have a nice collection of serviceable ladders from my SIL (HVAC tech) because of this.
Heck, I just taped off all the aluminum parts and resprayed it with some blue shaker can paint. No de-laminations, no splinters, just black marks from taking it on and off the truck. And the price of new ladders - especially the HD ones - is crazy.