Fiberglass ladder care

[signbrad]

Fiberglass is a plastic that is reinforced with glass fiber. All plastics deteriorate over time. UV exposure accelerates the deterioration.

Prevent UV exposure and you delay the deterioration.
Any paint or clear that inhibits UV exposure would help. Automotive paints and clears are mostly acrylic polyurethanes these days and provide protection (not homeowner-grade varnish, but automotive polyurethane).
If removing ladders daily is not your cup of tea, garaging the vehicle is the best option. Tarps work, too, as Geno suggested. A carport might help, or a shade tree. But a garage is best.

I liked my wood ladders better than my fiberglass ladders, but wood deteriorates, too. And the fiberglass ladders were not as heavy, even the Type I ladders.

An electrician told once me that painting a ladder compromises its electrical insulating ability. And he said that wood is safer than fiberglass, electrically speaking. Was he right? I don't know, but he stiffed me for two thousand dollars in the early 80s and then disappeared without a trace. (His body will never be found).

Just kidding in Kansas City

Brad

 

[GAC05]

An electrician told once me that painting a ladder compromises its electrical insulating ability. And he said that wood is safer than fiberglass, electrically speaking. Was he right? I don't know, but he stiffed me for two thousand dollars in the early 80s and then disappeared without a trace. (His body will never be found).

This is the type of content we login to read.

 

[netsol]

Fiberglass is a plastic that is reinforced with glass fiber. All plastics deteriorate over time. UV exposure accelerates the deterioration.

Prevent UV exposure and you delay the deterioration.
Any paint or clear that inhibits UV exposure would help. Automotive paints and clears are mostly acrylic polyurethanes these days and provide protection (not homeowner-grade varnish, but automotive polyurethane).
If removing ladders daily is not your cup of tea, garaging the vehicle is the best option. Tarps work, too, as Geno suggested. A carport might help, or a shade tree. But a garage is best.

I liked my wood ladders better than my fiberglass ladders, but wood deteriorates, too. And the fiberglass ladders were not as heavy, even the Type I ladders.

An electrician told once me that painting a ladder compromises its electrical insulating ability. And he said that wood is safer than fiberglass, electrically speaking. Was he right? I don't know, but he stiffed me for two thousand dollars in the early 80s and then disappeared without a trace. (His body will never be found).

Just kidding in Kansas City

Brad

years ago, my wife bought a 4ft wooden ladder. we still use it from time to time, in offices.
i am surprised to hear you prefer wood, since everybtime we use that. wooden ladder, everone complains they are digging out splinters for a week

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Well, here is an update 3 years later. The ladders stay on the top of my truck and get sun all the time. It's not practical to take them off and on, or cover with tarp or park in a garage.

Twice a year I spray them with UV protecting acrylic clear coat.. as per the manufacture specs. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00397STRW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

They still have color (though it's more red than orange) and there is no itchyness to them... so it is lasting longer. Every time I spray them the color comes back.

 

[JBurton]

Nope. What I did was run an extension ladder from the ledge and spanned it to the top of stairs. I secured it to the posts so it wouldn't move.

View attachment 164891

This is all too silly. I just use my 54" drill bit and a mop handle with a wad of duct tape to mount the letters.

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

This is all too silly. I just use my 54" drill bit and a mop handle with a wad of duct tape to mount the letters.

That's the Arkansas way

 

[gnubler]

Home Depot is having a sale on select ladders until Apr 23. I'm going to get the Gorilla multi position 18ft.

 

[Johnny Best]

The Werner ladders are just as good as the Gorilla ladders and lower cost. Home Depot Carrie’s the Werner brand also.

 

[spb]

Print some graphics on some banner vinyl, cut squares out of the corners, sew them together and throw the result on the ladders. pic related. Grommets and bungee cords may prevent it from flying off the ladder and hitting vehicles behind you during high-speed travel. I make no promises

 

[Texas_Signmaker]

Print some graphics on some banner vinyl, cut squares out of the corners, sew them together and throw the result on the ladders. pic related. Grommets and bungee cords may prevent it from flying off the ladder and hitting vehicles behind you during high-speed travel. I make no promises

Looks like an accurate illustration of the summer Texas sun!