How to Choose the Best Paint Finishes, Textures, and Coatings for Fiberglass and Resin Retail Displays
Table of Contents
By Yan Luo | Samtop Display
Fiberglass and resin are two of the most popular materials for retail displays, offering unique advantages depending on your design goals. Fiberglass provides durability and weather resistance with finishes like gel coat and textured coatings, while resin offers greater customization with high-gloss, matte, and intricate finishes. Both materials come with a range of paint finishes, textures, and coatings that can transform your retail displays into eye-catching, long-lasting installations.
At Samtop, we specialize in helping brands select the right finish for their fiberglass and resin retail displays, ensuring that the displays match their brand identity, durability needs, and environmental conditions.

🌍 Why Choosing the Right Finish is Crucial for Your Retail Displays
Your retail displays need to stand out and reflect your brand’s values, but choosing the wrong finish can lead to early wear, fading in outdoor conditions, or lackluster presentation in-store. This can damage your brand’s image and fail to attract the right customers.
Shoppers are drawn to displays that are not only functional but visually appealing. A low-quality finish on a display can make premium products seem less valuable, while weathered or scratched surfaces will degrade the overall look, especially in high-traffic or outdoor environments.
Fiberglass and resin offer durable, affordable, and highly customizable options for retail displays. Whether you choose fiberglass for its weather resistance or resin for its ability to create intricate, luxurious looks, selecting the right finish ensures your retail displays stand the test of time, both visually and physically.
🔥 Fiberglass Display Finishes: Durability Meets Aesthetics
Fiberglass is widely known for its strength, smooth surfaces, and weather resistance. It is an excellent choice for outdoor and high-traffic retail environments, offering long-lasting durability with various finishes.
Key Finish Options for Fiberglass Displays:
1. Gel Coat Finish
The most common finish for fiberglass displays, gel coat provides a smooth, glossy surface that enhances the visual appeal and protects the display from UV rays and moisture. It’s perfect for outdoor displays or high-traffic areas where durability is key.
- Best for: Outdoor sculptures, storefront signage, and durable product displays.
2. Matte Finish
Matte finishes create a subtle, refined look. The finish reduces glare and provides a sophisticated appearance, perfect for luxury retail and high-end fashion installations.
- Best for: Luxury displays, minimalist design environments, and fashion stores.
3. Textured Finish
Fiberglass with a textured finish offers a unique, organic look. The rougher surface creates depth and visual interest, ideal for natural or eco-friendly displays.
- Best for: Nature-inspired displays, eco-friendly branding, and outdoor retail installations.
4. Metallic Coatings
A metallic finish on fiberglass gives it a high-end, luxurious look. The reflective surface makes it stand out, creating a premium appearance for high-visibility displays.
- Best for: Luxury retail displays, product showcases, or promotional installations.
Tip:
For outdoor fiberglass displays, make sure the gel coat finish includes UV-resistant properties to prevent fading from sun exposure.
🧪 Resin Display Finishes: Flexible and Customizable Looks
Resin provides a versatile solution for retail displays, allowing for intricate customization and a wide variety of finishes. It’s perfect when you need a high-quality, detailed finish that’s elegant and unique.
Key Finish Options for Resin Displays:
1. High-Gloss Finish
A high-gloss finish on resin gives it a shiny, reflective surface, perfect for a premium look. This finish is ideal for luxury brand displays and interactive retail props.
- Best for: Luxury branding, product showcases, and high-traffic, high-end installations.
2. Matte Finish
Matte resin offers a subdued elegance with a smooth appearance that’s easier to maintain and hides fingerprints or smudges.
- Best for: Modern retail displays, fashion installations, and displays in low-light environments.
3. Metallic Finish
Metallic resin finishes create a shimmering, luxurious look. These finishes, from golden hues to chromatic effects, are perfect for high-visibility displays.
- Best for: High-end displays, seasonal promotions, and luxury retail environments.
4. Textured Resin Finish
Resin’s versatility allows for textured finishes, such as sandblasting or embossing, creating a tactile experience that enhances interactivity.
- Best for: Interactive displays, decorative elements, and themed installations.
5. Clear Resin Finish
Clear resin is perfect for showcasing intricate designs, multi-layered objects, or lighting effects. The transparency of clear resin allows for innovative and creative display solutions.
- Best for: Custom logos, product holders with embedded items, or interactive illuminated displays.
Tip:
For luxury retail displays, a high-gloss or metallic resin finish creates a sleek and polished look that will attract attention.
📝 Comparing Fiberglass and Resin Finishes: Which One is Right for You?
When selecting between fiberglass and resin for retail displays, consider the following factors to ensure you choose the best material for your needs.
1. Visual Appeal
- Fiberglass: Gel coat finishes provide a smooth, shiny surface, while metallic finishes add a luxurious touch. Textured finishes offer depth and uniqueness.
- Resin: Highly customizable, resin offers high-gloss, matte, and metallic finishes with clear options for intricate designs.
2. Durability and Weather Resistance
- Fiberglass: Known for its weather resistance, fiberglass with a gel coat finish offers UV protection, making it perfect for outdoor or exposed installations.
- Resin: While resin is durable, it can be prone to UV degradation unless treated with UV-resistant coatings, making it ideal for indoor displays or temporary installations.
3. Customization and Design Flexibility
- Resin: Offers more flexibility for intricate designs and shapes, with virtually unlimited finish options including textured and clear resin.
- Fiberglass: Slightly less flexible but still highly customizable for large, durable displays that require strength.
4. Cost Considerations
- Fiberglass: Generally more expensive due to its durability, weather resistance, and long-lasting performance.
- Resin: More affordable, especially for custom detailed displays, and a cost-effective solution for smaller or temporary displays.
💬 FAQ
Q: Can fiberglass displays be used indoors?
✅ Yes, fiberglass is suitable for indoor displays, particularly when you want a smooth, glossy finish that enhances the overall aesthetic. Matte or textured finishes can also be applied for a more subtle, refined look.
Q: How can I prevent resin displays from fading in the sun?
✅ Apply UV-resistant coatings or use UV-resistant resins to protect resin displays from sunlight degradation, making them suitable for outdoor use.
Q: Which material is best for creating large-scale outdoor sculptures?
✅ Fiberglass is the best option for large-scale outdoor sculptures due to its strength, weather resistance, and UV protection. Gel coat finishes provide the necessary durability for outdoor conditions.
✅ Conclusion: Choosing the Right Finish for Your Retail Displays
✔️ Fiberglass offers durability and weather resistance, making it ideal for large-scale outdoor displays and high-traffic retail spaces.
✔️ Resin provides greater customization and is perfect for creating intricate displays with various finishes to match your brand identity.
✔️ Consider your design goals, budget, environmental exposure, and finish preferences when choosing between fiberglass and resin for your custom retail displays.
At Samtop, we specialize in helping brands choose the perfect finish for their fiberglass and resin retail displays, ensuring that each display aligns with your brand aesthetics while maintaining durability and quality.
📩 Need Help with Custom Retail Displays?
At Samtop, we:
- Offer custom fiberglass and resin solutions for retail displays
- Provide design flexibility and premium finishes to meet your display goals
- Ensure on-time delivery and high-quality production for your retail campaigns
📧 Email: [email protected]
🌍 Website: www.samtop.com