Step 1:
Set up a proper workstation. An indoor area, such as a garage, is your best choice. You can also work outdoors as long as you have a shady area in which to paint. It is important for your golf cart not to be exposed to any form of harsh weather. If you work inside, ensure you have efficient ventilation. Open windows and if possible set up a fan to circulate the air.
Step 2:
Clean the entire surface of your fiberglass golf cart using liquid dishwashing soap. Scrub the surface of the fiberglass to ensure that no grime is left to disturb the painting process. Rinse off the soap with water and let your golf cart air-dry. Refrain from hand drying, as even a towel will leave leftover debris on the surface, creating an uneven texture when you paint.
Step 3:
Using masking tape and plastic sheets or trash bags, cover the areas that are to remain paint free. Cover the entire area you'd like to protect, not just the border. Place plastic over a section and use masking tape to create a perfect border between paint and nonpaint areas. Make sure to cover all lights, tires, seat, mirrors and so on.
Step 4:
Apply a latex primer. For paint to properly stick to a fiberglass surface, the surface needs an appropriate primer to create a grip for the paint to adhere to. Prime the entire surface you desire to be painted using either a spray can primer or an airbrush paint gun. Read the manufacturer's guide for information on how to properly fill your specific airbrush paint gun. Once you have set up the gun with primer, apply long even strokes across the fiberglass surface. Refrain from ever ending a stroke on the actual surface of the golf cart. End your strokes on the plastic or in midair to ensure a smooth layer of primer, without paint buildup. Allow the latex primer to dry for six to eight hours before moving on.
Step 5:
Apply a top coat of color over the primer. Use 100 percent acrylic paint when painting over fiberglass. This will ensure that the paint correctly adheres to the latex primer. You will need to paint three to five layers of color across the surface of your golf cart. Apply the paint in the same fashion as you applied the primer, making sure to wait two hours in between painting each coat. With each coat, paint in a new direction to ensure a continuous appearance-for example, up and down and then left to right. After you have applied all the necessary coats, wait six to eight hours before proceeding.
Step 6:
Finish off your new paint job by applying three coats of clear varnish. You have the option of using a high-gloss clear coat or a standard dull clear coat. Be sure to wait two hours in between applying each coat. Let your golf cart dry for a full 24 hours before removing the tape and plastic borders.
Written by H.C. Hisel
