FAQ - WORKING WITH GRP

Fibreglass is easy to paint, but the process depends on both the solution in question and the desired finish. Here are our recommendations when it comes to painting fibreglass.

Gluing fibreglass depends on the type of job involved, but it is usually very easy to do. Watch our How to video about gluing here

Working with fibreglass is very much like working with timber. A circular saw or jigsaw is ideal for ensuring a straight cut. Diamond-coated blades should be used for larger batches. The diamonds make the blade last longer. You can read more about cutting speeds and watch our how-to video to see how easy it is here in our How to video

Drilling into the profiles is relatively straightforward. An ordinary metal drill bit should be used to drill individual holes or small numbers of holes.
The use of a special drill bit is recommended for larger numbers of holes. This will ensure that the hole rims are clean and free from burring. A spoon bit and centre bit can be used to drill large holes. You can find lots of advice about drilling here

It really depends on what it is that you need to mount or fit together. We have provided the example of a square tube, which we recommend should be fitted using a sleeve, insert or washer. It is the same idea for many other types of mounting, but if you are in any doubt you can always get in touch for technical advice. See how to mount a square tube on a stair in our video here

Mounting naturally depends on the type of structure that is being assembled. We have provided an example of how to mount a square tube onto a staircase. Watch the video here 

Our fibreglass profiles can be ground using sandpaper. For larger tasks, however, we recommend using a belt sander.

For turning, we recommend using carbide plates with speeds of up to 400 m per minute. A top rake of 10–15° will yield the best results. The feed rate and cutting depth will depend on the machine used, but is typically between 0.05 and 0.5 mm/rev. Depending on the machine and the set-up, the depth of cut can be up to 10 mm. Using rounded tool bits and air or liquid cooling results in the best surface finish. Turning can also be done with a rotating diamond milling cutter in the tool holder.

A diamond milling machine should be used for milling. We recommend a top rake of between 5° and 15° and speeds of up to 1,000 m per minute for the best results.

 Feeding can be up to 0.5 mm/rev. Too heavy feeding will cause unwanted heating of the surface and gives less satisfactory results.

Punching, threading and waterjet cutting can be used when working with fibreglass. However, it depends very much on the type of work involved and the machinery available. Please refer to our recommendations or contact us if you would like further details.

Glass-fibre reinforced polyester (GFRP) is a hard material, but it is as easy and fast to work with as timber. We recommend that you use diamond-coated tools, such as cutting blades. You can now buy diamond-coated blades at any hardware shop. Watch our how to video here

Our planks can be bolted, pinned or glued to the substructure. Fiberline has developed special fittings that make assembly easier and faster. All of these fittings are made of acid-resistant steel. Please give us a call if you are in any doubt about how to install your particular solution.