Topic: fiberglass or plastic

[66stang]

im gunna get a front spoiler for my car and i was wondering which would paint bettter fiberglass or plastic they are both the same price

[Soaring]

Well, since Corvettes  and most boats are made out of fiberglas, I would choose fiberglas. No scientific reason, just what I would choose.  It's most likely stronger.

[Tim175]

I would also suggest the fiberglass, my neighbor has worked with fiberglass for a long long time and he has showed me some things and from what i have seen the fiberglass would probably be better.

[66stang]

alright thanks for the advice

[rmodel65]

im gonna disagree, go with plastic, reason being the plastic isnt gonna break as easily if you hit a bad dip or a stop in a parking lot whereas the glass part will crack

my 2 cents

[stang98]

I would disagree too. Ive had my fair share with getting fiberglass parts. they truly suck for aftermarket.

[Jeff73Mach1]

Let me throw in a few thoughts

I just overhauled a ski boat and did a fair amount of work with fiberglass.

Either can be painted, but plastic will require a flex additive and generally a prep coating of some type.

Fiberglass can be repaired easily.  Plastic is more difficult as few adhesives stick to it so you are pretty much limited to "plastic welding" for repairs.

Fiberglass will not tolerate rubbing on curbs or anything else without cracking and breaking.  Though it can be repaired, the time and effort to repair it properly would likely lead to most people replacing the part.

Of the parts I have seen, the fiberglass ones were of questionable quality compared to the ABS plastic ones.

[Thierry]

Fiberglass is cheaper and heavier than plastic. The plastic will also better absorb small impacts but it can still crack with large impacts and it will be almost impossible to fix while fiberglass can be repaired in your own garage. There is also different levels of quality in fiberglass kits, some won't fit properly and crack easily while others will have some flex that will make them as resistant as the plastic ones.
Have you ever seen a newer fiberglass Corvette body with cracks everywhere? I didn't so I would rather pick a good quality fiberglass spoiler than a plastic one.

[heavy]

Six one hand, half dozen the other.  I prefer fiberglass for the reasons mentioned previously (ability to fix, better to paint, etc.)