How to Make a Fiberglass Sculpture?

Creating a sculpture is both an art and a craft, where careful planning and skilled techniques turn ideas into tangible forms.Fiberglass sculptures are lightweight yet strong, making them ideal for both indoor and outdoor installations. Next, Ruiheng will show you our fiberglass sculpture production process, so that you can clearly understand the entire process from the first model to the final product.

Fiberglass sculpture production flow chart

1) Original Clay Model

Every project begins with a full-size clay model built on a strong steel armature. This keeps the pose stable and proportions accurate. Our artists sculpt the shape, smooth the surface, and refine small details like folds and textures. Because every mark transfers to the mold, this stage is crucial. At Ruiheng, we often send progress photos or videos so clients can review early, saving time and avoiding rework later. For complex designs, we may use 3D scanning or printing to match architectural drawings.

2) Silicone Mold Making

Silicone is the best material for capturing fine details. Our team applies a release agent, brushes on multiple thin coats of liquid silicone, and adds keys to make sure each section reassembles perfectly. A rigid “mother mold” made of plaster or fiberglass supports the outside. For very large sculptures, the mold is divided into sections so it can be safely removed and reassembled. This step is done in a clean room to keep the surface free of dust and bubbles, giving the next step of fiberglass sculpture production a perfect start.

Sculpture model making

3) Brushing Resin

This is where the sculpture gets its strength. A smooth gelcoat is sprayed inside the mold first. Then layers of fiberglass mat and resin are applied by hand. Workers roll out air bubbles and control the thickness evenly. For outdoor use, we reinforce stress points and use marine-grade resin for durability. The result is a shell that is both strong and lightweight—exactly what makes fiberglass sculpture production so practical for large art projects.

4) Trim and Sand

Once the shells are cured, we remove them from the mold, trim the edges, and bond the sections together with resin and fiberglass tape. Seams are filled, then sanded from coarse to very fine grits until smooth. At Ruiheng, we check the surface under strong light to make sure there are no visible lines or dents. Many clients receive photos of the “white body” at this stage to confirm the form before we paint.

5) Hand Painting

This is when the sculpture truly comes to life. We apply primer, then spray or hand-paint the color layers. Finishes can be glossy, matte, metallic, or even special effects like faux bronze or glow-in-the-dark. Our painters have years of experience, and every piece is treated like a work of art. A UV-protective topcoat seals the surface and keeps the colors bright for years of outdoor display.

Realistic lion fiberglass sculpture

6) Packing and Shipping

Even the best sculpture must arrive safely. Each piece is wrapped in foam, sealed with film, and packed into a custom wooden crate with corner guards and shock indicators. For export orders, we prepare all shipping documents in advance and send photos of the packed crate before delivery. We arrange sea freight, air freight, or door-to-door service to make sure the sculpture reaches its site safely and ready to install.

At Ruiheng Crafts, we take pride in every step of making fiberglass sculptures—from clay to crate. Over the years, we’ve refined our workflow to handle everything from bold, oversized public art to delicate custom pieces with the same precision. Our projects have been shipped to parks, hotels, and cultural spaces worldwide, where they’ve become focal points that spark curiosity and bring people together. If you are planning a project, we’re ready to help turn your idea into a strong, smooth, and beautifully finished fiberglass artwork.