I have a question about the effects of UV rays on a gel-coated fiberglass shower unit.
We did a job where a conventional 48″ shower with a dam had to be removed to be replaced with an ADA compliant shower unit. The original unit has been sitting outside where it has been exposed to ~4 months of sunlight.
I’m thinking of taking this shower for personal use (I would never install it in a clients home). Would the gel coat or anything else be significantly affected by the exposure to sunlight? I’m sure it’s ideal for it to never see UV rays, but at what point is it foolish to install this unit in a a bathroom that will see daily use?
Replies
they gelcoat boats, don't they?
Sometimes my plumbers get tubs delivered that have obviously been stored outside. What they told me, and what appears to be true is that the only thing that gets messed up is the wood supports under the tub - from exposure to weather (water). The gel coat itself always polishes up bright and shiny. If it were a color other than white, and it sat out for upwards to a year plus, you would probably have some fading of the gelcoat color.
Sunlight will fade the gelcoat and degrade it to a degree, but not nearly to the extent that sunlight degrades most plastics. More to worry about is sunlight striking the back of the unit and directly degrading the polyester resin.
But in general, if the unit is structurally sound and not badly eroded when you move it indoors, it should yield a long indoor life, regardless of fading and other minor appearance issues. In any event, 4 months of sunlight exposure is a nit for decent fiberglass construction -- I'd maybe start to worry around 4 years.
Thanks to all for your reassurance.
I'm going to go get the tub and move it to storage first thing tomorrow.
Or at least cover it with tarp...
Jon Blakemore
RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA