Fiberglass Details

hey guys,

i'm new to this forum here and i'm just starting to learn how to fiber glass. just started to do my first project and i just need some information.

i'm not making a mold or anything of the sort. what i did was build a table sort of thing in the back of my car behind my seats(i drive a cutlass supreme convertable) and what i am doing is just fiber glassing over top of it and giving it shape for my amp and my power cap.  i think it's going to turn out all right.  the reason i'm doing it this way is because i don't have the room to make a mould and then slide it in there.  it's impossible.

anyways my question is for the sanding portion of it is what kind of paper is recommended for the sanding of the fiber glass?  what i used is a filler with fiber glass peices in it already.  i didn't use any sheets of fiber glass (i'm saving that for the trunk when i do my speakers)  however, being my first time using fiber glass i realized it's alot harder then i thought it was going to be and i know the 80 grit paper i have isn't going to be good enough.

what do you recommend to use for this?

i will be posting pictures shortly once it's closer to being completed

thank you for the advice.  i plan on painting it because i want the glossy look to match the exterior of the car.  now i already have a palm sander.  i assumed it wouldn't be sufficient because of the amount of "excess" that i had hanging around and how hard it turned out to be.  what about a hand grinder with some 60 grit pads? would it take it off to fast and not keep the same shape of which i have already molded it to?

also are there any tricks to getting a smooth finish with the 400 grit paper?

you will notice the sanding dust changing colours..when you get through the kitty hair...also depending on how sloppy thr kitty hair is i would even say to go as low as 36 or 40 grit paper...just to knock off all the high crap and what not and shape it all properly...then apply a smooth layer of kitty hair, to fill in any low spots...once it has hardened you can start with your 60 grit and up...

best way to get her supper smooth and glossy is to wet sand it...essentially once you are comfortable with how things look after 180...blast it with the high build primer...this will most likely show you a world of hurt (piles of stuff you have missed) fix those up with some filler and then sand and prime again...sand with 200...prime again...now things should be lookin awefully good...now break out your bucket and your 400 grit emery ( i prefer emery cause it dosent clog as easily)...wet your project and sand...dont allow the paper or the spot to get dry...also dont touch it with bare hands either...(oils from you skin could cause the paint to lift or blister)

wipe it down with a clean dry cloth...you should be ready for paint...it also helps to have a very bright light near by to help you see any flaws..

Also...after you have done the heavy grinding with the 36 or 40...everything else you should try to do with a sanding block...i usually wet sand by hand though..

thank you for your information. i went out and bought the materials needed to do as you suggested.  its not going ot be fun though haha.

thanks again and pics are coming soon :)