Finishing fiberglass overhead

[Bill O]

Zach,
Would look up the msds for the 3M adhesive remover to see the list of actual solvents they use instead of assuming it is xylene. This could save you some time by purchasing the correct solvent(s).

[JBP]

The steel scrubby is an excellent idea. It probably doesn't fling adhesive and glass fibers everywhere like a wire brush does.

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by JBP

The steel scrubby is an excellent idea. It probably doesn't fling adhesive and glass fibers everywhere like a wire brush does.

A pull scraper will outperform everything else.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001IX7RY

[Mickeyrouse]

I spent about two weeks wet sanding the overhead on our boat, in the winter. Probably the worst two weeks of a 4 year rebuild. I could only work with my hands above my head so long before I had to rest my shoulders. After it was over (natch) I discovered the Festool sander-dust removal system. Looking back, there are probably less expensive (Festool is uber-quality German design and build) but just as effective brands of equipment I could have used. The point is that a disc sander with a vacuum attached will both efficiently remove material and control the fiberglass dust, pretty nasty stuff to be breathing. After that I used it as mentioned in the previous post to polish the finished results. It has held up quite well, 15 years later.

[myketch42]

Home Depot sales a product called Veranda . it is 7" wide tung and groove , 1/4 inch thick with both sides having a different beaded pattern , very easy to work with and relativly fast , I didnt stagger the end joints and used a decrative wood batten to cover them , very professional look from someone with mediocre skills...the veranda is a semi gloss pvc , comes in 12 foot lengths .