I think that if your ladder is shedding, it is time for a new one, it may be unsafe to use.
I have never got an itch from my ladder, is the color all faded?

 

Its a little faded, nothing like those faded orange ladders everyone has that look pink. The last time I used it when I loaded it on the roof it made the underside of my arms itch.

 

Call the manufacturer and ask them what's up.

If it's a pro type brand, they should know that ladders sit outside, on ladder racks, etc.

I've never had a ladder do that-yet.... Mine are all Werners. Should I be looking out for something? :laughing:

Do tell.

 

I've never had a ladder do that-yet.... Mine are all Warners. Should I be looking out for something?

Does that mean they're all green & have socks covering the feet?

 

Put a roof over them.. UV be BAD

Ditto what they said...It has lost some strength already...

Hey.....Don't you have a little history w/ ladders?



I thought this was a thread about slow work:laughing:

My trailer's a little itchy to get movin right now too

 

Hey.....Don't you have a little history w/ ladders?

That was a aluminum ladder :shifty:

 

Does your ladder rack has a sharp edge that is planning down the surface everytime you load and unload the ladder?

 

Nope, soft rubber I only use this ladder a few times a year. It doesnt bother my hands. Just the baby butt soft underside of my arms.

 

I don’t know if it will fix those whiskers on your ladder, but when my fiberglass ladder rails get worn from sliding them on and off the racks, I’ll use boat polish with a buffer wheel to smooth and clean them up.
It even seems to bring some of the old color back and makes my extension ladders extend and retract easier as well.

The only bad thing is that the sides of the rails can be quite slippery for several days afterward if they get wet or you happen to grab them with sweaty hands, but I tend to hold onto the rungs when climbing anyway, so not that big a deal for me.

I'll admit that polishing ladders probably sounds a little overboard, but I think it actually must help preserve them.
I still have one 28' Werner type IIA extension ladder with messenger hooks and a 6' step that I bought new, which are both now 21-years old and still in very good condition. I’ve carried them on my truck almost as long as I’ve owned them.

 

Epoxy coat it with a UV protected hardener. Seriously, I don't know. I'd try some wax first and then call the manufacturer. Or just deal with it. You know the trick to deal with fiberglass at the end of the day. Get in the shower and rub hair conditioner all over you. Make sure your body is still dry. Then turn on the shower and rinse off the conditioner. cold water is better than hot if you can stand it.

 

Seems like something like polyurethane would work. I guess Ill try to get a a hold of someone at the company and see what they say.

 

i have a ladder that does the same thing, i was thinking about sanding and painting it, let us know what you come up with

 

I may look for something at the marina, maybe some kind of gelcoat repair for boats.

 

Here's some info from Werner on ladder maintenance:

http://www.wernerladder.com/catalog/files/rc81.pdf

It's called fiber bloom or blooming. Usually not structural.

They recommend waxing the rails couple times a year, though i've never done it. Also talks about some clear coating

 

stop being a baby and get up there:laughing:jk..jk

 

Personally i would just toss them and buy new ones, i have never had this issue and i would not deal with it either. These ladders can be bought cheap enough these days and for us electricians we are not suppose to put anything on a fiberglass ladder. Last year i gave away a 6' step to a plumber after we had words about him using my ladder. I left some of my ladders on the job while i was at another and he went ahead and used my ladder, normally this wouldnt bother me except he got flux and melted solder all over the ladder. As miniscule as it seems the flux and solder has a potential of creating a circuit, exactly what a fiberglass ladder is not suppose to do. The plumber got a new ladder and the i charged the owner for the one a gave away, the plumber was also the owners son-n-law.

 

Mine is a extension ladder, about $430.

 

I see your problem now, not cheap to just replace. I would contact the manufacturer if the ladder is not that old. You can try other methods as already stated but i would not recommend using that ladder for electric work from that point on. Just my opinion on that.

 

Ive never used it for electrical work. I know a electrician who only uses aluminum. He said fiberglass ladders make you lazy when it comes to being careful. :blink: