quote:Originally posted by nelbiz: ok im not buildin a box out of fiberglass, but rather a cover type job to give it a more finished and professional look. i want it to form around the whole trunk. so do i just buy the cloth, form it, add the resin, and then touch it up? also what kinda cloth would i use? how thick should i make it (was thinkin 1/4")?
If you project is one that does not require a lot of strength and durability, you can use three or four layers of forming material(speaker grill cloth, fleece...) or a single layer of fiberglass cloth. Chancer are you won't be needing 1/4" thick fiberglass, unless you're gonna get freaky on top of your amplifiers.
Just play it by ear, use only as many layers of whatever cloth you have laying around. But if anyone's mom starts calling me and asking why her son/daughter is using ther linen closet as a supply warehouse, I never ANYHING!!
Later, Mike
lol thanks for the help!!!
Posts: 567 | From: Lawrence, KS | Registered: Apr 2002
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quote:Originally posted by Josh D: yeah i've already started a thread for this, but i'm trying to make a fiberglass headliner....... will it work or am i wasting time and money?
Yes it will, but you have to be realistic about just how much work you want to put into your project. A headliner is a pretty big project to be fiberglassing, lots of room for error or should I say, lots of area to smoothly blend together.
posted
Mabieta you are the man, ive been looking for hours for good info on fiberglassing and i finally found you but i still have some questions. Sorry if some of the are alittle stupid, this is my first project.
Ok this is a simple project nothing fancy. I just want to fiberglass the bottom and top of my ported subwoffer box. I have height restrictions, made the box all out of 3/4 mdf im about an inch to tall for my liking.
So i want to simply replace the top and bottom with fiberglass, but im really unsure what to do.
I should use an epoxy resin correct??
Whats the correct layering technic should i use? First layer should be cloth to make form, then use mat? How many layers should i make, how thick?
If I use epoxy resin do i need to sand in between coats?
How to i place mat, can it be in one large piece or does it need to be in strips? If i make it strips do they have to over lap, then doesnt that require more bondo to get smooth?
What do i use after figerglassing to get it smooth??? Then i can just prime and pain it? Any type of special paint to use?
I need your recommendations on what to use
Thanks Chris
Posts: 4 | From: Brooklyn, NY | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
I'm going to be building a sub enclosure in the corner of my trunk for a 10" ED O series sub (when they are released) Should I build the entire enclosure out of fiberglass (minus the MDF mounting ring of course)? Will that be strong enough?
Posts: 21 | From: Philly, PA | Registered: Apr 2003
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Epoxy resin: Usually reserved for carbon fiber projects, due to higher cost and strict mixing procedures.
Thickness: Whatever works forr your project, 1/4 to 3/8 inch with lateral supports to increase rigidity.
Fiberglass as a substitute for wood: Only if absolutly necessary, 1 inch of excess height is not absolute. I'd recommend trimming the enclosures airspace, the space gained is not enough to warrant the headache of fiberglass, especially if you're new to it.
Lay-up method: Plan, plan, plan, then plan some more. Think about how much you like to sand, then plan again. keep your layers as smooth as possible, take your time getting air bubbles out and laying the glass in smooth, even courses. Judge your thickness to your project, the enclosure wall for a 15 inch woofer will need more substance than that of a 6.5 mid woofer, most of the enclosures that I build for 12 inch drivers have a wall thickness of about 1/4 inch, six to seven layers of fiberglass cloth.
posted
does it really matter what you use for the first layer to make the shape. Ive seen alot of people use fleece but i really dont have any around. Can i just use an old jersey sheet or something? CHris
Posts: 4 | From: Brooklyn, NY | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
ok I started it I got the first layer of fabric and 2 layers of fiberglass cloth down. Its pretty damn strong already. Im gonna give it 3 more layers and then decide if it needs more. How much resin should i be using cause i used alittle more then 1/4 of gallon. the area being covered is 11 x 37.5 with alittle hang over on each side.
I need to get more brushes im ruining them like crazy. Is there anything i can put the brush in so it doesnt just harden up and then it trash, i would like to use it a few time atlease.
Posts: 4 | From: Brooklyn, NY | Registered: Apr 2003
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quote:Originally posted by impulsebrklyn: I need to get more brushes im ruining them like crazy. Is there anything i can put the brush in so it doesnt just harden up and then it trash, i would like to use it a few time atlease.
posted
Hey gang, I am getting ready to jump into a major fiberglassing project, and have a question or a few.
Is there anyway to seemlessly bond fiberglass to plexi? You know to make it feel smooth from painted f/g to a clear plexi window w/ no signs of how it was done? I think I saw an article on it somewhere on the web, but I can't find much on it now. I have a great idea for this vehicle, but I don't want to waste ALOT of materials to find out whether or not it will work.
BTW, I will be using 1" plexi. Why?? Because it was free.
-------------------- '91 Caprice Wagon.... planning stages....Solo X sitting on the rack. Posts: 109 | From: North of some, South of most | Registered: Oct 2002
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quote:Originally posted by XtremeHearse: Hey gang, I am getting ready to jump into a major fiberglassing project, and have a question or a few.
Is there anyway to seemlessly bond fiberglass to plexi? You know to make it feel smooth from painted f/g to a clear plexi window w/ no signs of how it was done? I think I saw an article on it somewhere on the web, but I can't find much on it now. I have a great idea for this vehicle, but I don't want to waste ALOT of materials to find out whether or not it will work.
BTW, I will be using 1" plexi. Why?? Because it was free.
I would think that if you took some 2-3" masking tape and covered the edges of the plexi and onto the top, and maybe put a layer of plastic to protect the rest of the plexi. Then you could use the body filler and slide it flushly onto the plexi, when you are done, pop out the plexi, take out the tape, paint the 'glass, then toss the plexi back in. I would think the primer and paint would take up the same amount of space the masking tape did so it should be a perfect fit.
That might be an easy way, or a hard way, just was the first thing that popped into my head
Oh, by the way, I don't think you could make it 100% seamless, but this sounds pretty close. Maybe there is a better way
-------------------- I just do some "web stuff." Posts: 401 | From: Minnesota | Registered: Oct 2002
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posted
Shane, that may have to be the way it happens, but I know I've read somewhere that you can mount your plexi in your mdf frame, glass up to it, body filler the difference, then start sanding. once smooth, re-polish the plexi. Or something to that effect. That's why I want some guys that do f/g more often than me to hit me w/ some ideas, or corrections.
-------------------- '91 Caprice Wagon.... planning stages....Solo X sitting on the rack. Posts: 109 | From: North of some, South of most | Registered: Oct 2002
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posted
Reading this has helped alot and i'd just like to ask one question to clear up some confusion. So far, I think the steps are as followed, -Mask area to be resin'd -Lay 1st coat of resin down..... Now, do you apply the 1st layer of fleece or trunk liner here? Or do you start matting/clothing 1st and then add the layer of fleece or trunk liner at the end? Also, do you use the fleece or trunk liner between layers? I've heard yes and no and I just want to clear this up before I start my project.
Posts: 2 | From: Waldorf, MD | Registered: Apr 2003
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posted
MABEITA, got a question for you.I will be building a stealth box to fit behind the left rear quarter panel of my 97 explorer. The whole rear of the enclosure will be made of fiber glass abd the sides out of mdf. Because of the lack of depth can I use the trim panel as the front of the enclosure? If I can would I have to glass the inside of the panel? Thanks for the advice in advance.
Posts: 8 | From: ny,ny | Registered: Mar 2003
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quote:Originally posted by JaPerry: Reading this has helped alot and i'd just like to ask one question to clear up some confusion. So far, I think the steps are as followed, -Mask area to be resin'd -Lay 1st coat of resin down..... Now, do you apply the 1st layer of fleece or trunk liner here? Or do you start matting/clothing 1st and then add the layer of fleece or trunk liner at the end? Also, do you use the fleece or trunk liner between layers? I've heard yes and no and I just want to clear this up before I start my project.
If you are building trying to glass the contour of an area, like the back wall of a kick pannel, then after you tape (and apply a mold release if you want/need), you can just build up with fiberglass mat. The point of grill cloth, fleece, and other stretching materials is to give a surface to glass on. You build a frame to stretch to, then resin it to make it solid. Then you build up with your fiberglass. Some people like to use those materials between layers. But I just don't see why. If you need to make it a certain thickness after you have the strength you need with fiberglass, then I recomend using a body filler. It is cheaper than building up with fiberglass materials.
-------------------- There is a shortage of perfect breasts in this world. It would be a pity to damage yours.
Sony ES CDXC-910 -- Sony XDP-4000X -- Adire Audio Koda components -- Adire Audio Brahma 10"-- Arc 1500dr -- Soundstream Reference 300 Posts: 191 | From: Lynnwood Washington | Registered: Jun 2002
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quote:Originally posted by merc97: MABEITA, got a question for you.I will be building a stealth box to fit behind the left rear quarter panel of my 97 explorer. The whole rear of the enclosure will be made of fiber glass abd the sides out of mdf. Because of the lack of depth can I use the trim panel as the front of the enclosure? If I can would I have to glass the inside of the panel? Thanks for the advice in advance.
You could, but the plastic will most likely be resistant to fiberglass adhesion. If you can build the rest of the enclosure so that it is as close to the front trim panel as possible you should be able to glass it for the desired effect. Just take your time, and remember to build a recessed baffle to mount the woofer, make certain that you allow enough depth to accommodate the woofer's excursion.
posted
Mabeita, Since everyone on here says you are the absolute shiznit on fiberglassing, I was wondering if you could point me in the right direction on the art of fiberglass. I own a 74 Chevy truck and I want to make a center console that runs between two bucket seat and molds back into some subs behind, but I dont know how to create the sub boxs with the console as one big piece. I aslo want to create some fiberglass door panels. Can you point me in the right direction that would be great. Thanks
Posts: 4 | From: Spokane Wa | Registered: May 2003
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posted
You should probably start off by building as many individual components as possible. Then tie them all together by covering the entire assembly after they have been secured to one another.
It'll be easier to glass the whole thing once it has been assembled, and the transition from one seection to the next will be smooth.
Just remember to plan your covering approach well before you are at that stage, deciding where the vinyl ends and where carpet or tweed begins will help create a console that is as pleasing to look at as it is functional. Read the following post to get some ideas on where to go from here.
posted
Mabeita, How do I make the sub box? That is where I am confused. Do I make a entire box out of 3/4" MDF then just cover it in fiberglass or do I just make the face of the boxout of MDF and then have the sides and back made of fiberlass?
Posts: 4 | From: Spokane Wa | Registered: May 2003
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