Fiberglass Maintenance: How To Clean Fiberglass:

Fiberglass Introduction:

Fiberglass is a great material for a variety of applications, both indoor and outdoor. With a minimum of care, fiberglass furniture for example will look fresh and new for many years to come. In fact, items made of fiberglass will usually continue to harden during their life span, further enhancing their already superior tensile strengths. One of the major benefits of fiberglass is that it is fade resistant and will not yellow over time. Fiberglass furniture is suitable for both cold and warm climates.


Creation of a Modernica fiberglass chair.


Fiberglass History:

Fiberglass, (also called fibreglass and glass fibre), is material made from extremely fine fibers of glass. It is used as a reinforcing agent for many polymer products; the resulting composite material, properly known as fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) or glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), is called "fiberglass" in popular usage. Glassmakers throughout history have experimented with glass fibers, but mass manufacture of fiberglass was only made possible with the invention of finer machine tooling. In 1893, Edward Drummond Libbey exhibited a dress at the World's Columbian Exposition incorporating glass fibers with the diameter and texture of silk fibers. This was first worn by the popular stage actress of the time Georgia Cayvan. What is commonly known as "fiberglass" today, however, was invented in 1938 by Russell Games Slayter of Owens-Corning as a material to be used as insulation. It is marketed under the trade name Fiberglas, which has become a genericized trademark. A somewhat similar, but more expensive technology used for applications requiring very high strength and low weight is the use of carbon fiber. Ever since the 1960's fiberglass was the choice of material for a variety of designers most notably Finish designer Eero Aarnio.


Fiberglass Pastil chair by Finish designer Eero Aarnio.


Fiberglass Maintenance Suggestions:

Fiberglass and its glass fibers are useful because of their high ratio of surface area to weight. However, the increased surface area makes them much more susceptible to chemical attack. So make sure not to use any strong alkaline cleaners or solvents such as acetone and lacquer thinners on a fiberglass product. The only safe way to clean fiberglass is by applying a neutral cleaner with a soft sponge or cloth. This will remove the dirt without hurting the surface, plus it will keep the surface smooth and shiny so that it stays attractive and functional. The surface layer of fiberglass, a gel coat, is smooth and shiny. If you keep it intact, it is soil resistant and will look nice for a long time--so don't use wire brushes for cleaning it, or anything that is scratchy, harsh, or abrasive.

Fiberglass and Plastic Polish:

If you have fine scratches on fiberglass or another type of plastic material we suggest to use a fine scratch remover. Please check Novus Plastic Polish which may remove many fine scratches and restore fiberglass to its original luster.