I have a rather tacky looking set of fiberglass steps on the outside of my manufactured home. Can I paint them? If so, how should I go about it?

– Barbara

Hi Barbara,

Fiberglass can be painted successfully. You have to look at it as though you were painting plastic. The concern with this particular project is that you’re painting steps that will be used on a daily basis, so the treads will become worn and need recoating over time.

Here’s how to go about painting your fiberglass steps:

  • Sand: Use medium grit sandpaper sand the steps to remove any slick sheen. You want to sand them until they are smooth to the touch and have a dull finish.
  • Clean: After sanding, dampen a rag with mineral spirits, and wipe down the steps to remove any sanding dust.
  • Prime: Choose a good quality, exterior, oil-based, bonding primer for your undercoat. Tinting the primer the color of your topcoat will help with coverage.
  • Paint: Topcoat with two coats of quality, exterior, 100% acrylic latex paint. To keep your steps from becoming slippery when wet, add non-slip sand texture additive to the topcoat. But don’t just dump any old sand in there, ask in the paint department for texture additive for paint.

Good luck with your project,


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Danny Lipford

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Danny Lipford is a home improvement expert and television personality who started his remodeling business, Lipford Construction, at the age of 21 in Mobile, Alabama. He gained national recognition as the host of the nationally syndicated television show, Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, which started as a small cable show in Mobile. Danny's expertise in home improvement has also led him to be a contributor to popular magazines and websites and the go-to source for advice on everything related to the home. He has made over 200 national television appearances and served as the home improvement expert for CBS's The Early Show and The Weather Channel for over a decade. Danny is also the founder of 3 Echoes Content Studio, TodaysHomeowner.com, and Checking In With Chelsea, a décor and lifestyle blog.

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