first well second fiberglass project
Printed From: the12volt.com
Forum Name: Fiberglass, Fabrication, and Interiors
Forum Discription: Fiberglass Kick Panels, Subwoofer Enclosures, Plexiglas, Fabrics, Materials, Finishes, etc.
URL: https://www.the12volt.com/installbay/forum_posts.asp?tid=108904
Printed Date: May 11, 2024 at 12:35 PM
Topic: first well second fiberglass project
Posted By: lanceam24
Subject: first well second fiberglass project
Date Posted: November 13, 2008 at 10:03 PM
my first BIG project. I am following the tutorial "How to make a fiberglass enclosure" i never got a chance but here are some pics of my first project which is my tweeter pods. Anyone have any good ideas of what type of fleece to use and where i can get it from? I bought some cheap-o fabric from wal-mart and it is not tough enough for my staples and always has wrinkles no matter how hard i pull it. Tell me what ya'll think... 
and heres my new project progress: 
Replies:
Posted By: emptypockets426
Date Posted: November 14, 2008 at 4:32 PM
Use a light weight fleece...or polyester blend material. don't use cotton. I got mine from fabric.com cause i'm too lazy to find a fabric shop. Buy the cheapest they sell. Look at clearance section.
Posted By: ckeeler
Date Posted: November 14, 2008 at 5:32 PM
i say NEVER use fleece. always use speaker grill cloth, jersy material(what t-shirts are made from), or nylon(what stockings and pantyhose are made from) then reinforce the reverse side that wont be seen with matting. not only will the finished side look better with less sanding than using fleece and gallons of body filler, but for anything not cosmetic that needs to be strong, like a box, fleece will fold like cardboard. even if you reinforce it from the other side with matting, the resin used at first never soaks all the way through and even if it did, resin soaked fleece is way heavier and not near as strong as matting and resin. every thing ive ever seen using fleece turns out to be nothing but a BONDO covered gonna just crack later piece of crap, not fiberglass. might as well call boxes made with fleece "BONDO BOXES" not fiberglass boxes.
Posted By: bellsracer
Date Posted: November 14, 2008 at 7:11 PM
I use any material that is Poly whether it be fleece, cloth, or whatever. The key thing with fleece especially in hotter climates is that it tends to shrink more than the other bases during curing and may cause bending. As for it's strength, if done right, fleece can work. I have made many boxes from fleece and other structures that have been holding up for years now. Some of them are in SPL competitions and have yet to generate a crack. I would say the key to them is to ensure a strong frame and as soon as the resin gels, start cutting off the loose fibers that may stray and/or have a second person come right after you with a roller to keep them down before gel stage sets. Once cured, hit it with a quick wipe of acetone and sand with 60-80 paper. Duraglass any lips, then finish the project. Reinforcement is always a +... You can never be too strong ------------- Never send your ducks to eagle school.
The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is that little extra.
The 3Ls of life: Learn from the Past, Live for the Present, Look to the Future.
Posted By: chevy sounds
Date Posted: November 20, 2008 at 11:07 AM
The best thing to use would be grille cloth but it can be difficult to find. Me personally I like to work with pantyhose fabric some say you shouldnt do this but I use it all the time never had a problem and really the fabric doesnt need to be that strong it is only used to get the shape of your enclosure it wont really add any strenght to it thats what the actual fiberglass is for... By the way nice build looks good so far
Posted By: biggidaman
Date Posted: November 20, 2008 at 8:54 PM
i would never use grill cloth. for one thing it's not always possible to get you glass behind the project at hand. i always use fleece polyester that would make sence because your useing polyester resin. don't pull your work tight. lay your fleece so all the wrinkles are out and then fasten it. i'm not saying lay it loose but don't force it you go where you want it. you want it to "lay out" right with out being to tight but tight enough not to lose the shape your trying to achieve. to tight will cause your work to twist and warp while drying. there are also two sides of your fleece. one is very "harry" and one is kinda smooth so look for that when you start laying your fleece. most of the time it doesn't matter because your going mat the top any ways. your A pillers look great man!!!keep it up. and a little practice go's miles.
Posted By: lanceam24
Date Posted: November 20, 2008 at 9:38 PM
some more pics of progress: 
i used some thick *** fleece, so thick that when soaked with resin i would press in it with my finger and it would appear dry. it eventually hardened and came out decent i think. i only did like 1 layer of mat because i ran out of mat and resin (1 gallon) i am applying the mat by spraying the area to b fiberglassed with some spray adhesive and then laying the mat then stabbing with resin.
Posted By: asquarecan
Date Posted: November 26, 2008 at 6:52 PM
Nice enclosure!
Posted By: audiovibe-mike
Date Posted: November 27, 2008 at 2:56 PM
Looking awesome man..... have fun sanding. cant wait to see final pics ------------- Have you ever seen an Acura with them butterfly doors???
Posted By: oldsmobile94
Date Posted: November 27, 2008 at 6:44 PM
def. looks nice an cant wait to see it when its done
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TK
Posted By: lanceam24
Date Posted: November 29, 2008 at 10:15 PM
bad news, i will be scrapping this enclosure. i didnt realize how effin HEAVY it would be... 45 lbs. without sub or amp. its too huge for my car i think so i'll be starting over with just a sub box in one corner of my trunk. o well i gained some valuable experience with this project so the next one should be a breeze. i may finish the other one later, just not now. stay tuned!
Posted By: ckeeler
Date Posted: November 30, 2008 at 9:49 AM
ckeeler wrote:
i say NEVER use fleece. always use speaker grill cloth, jersy material(what t-shirts are made from), or nylon(what stockings and pantyhose are made from) then reinforce the reverse side that wont be seen with matting. not only will the finished side look better with less sanding than using fleece and gallons of body filler, but for anything not cosmetic that needs to be strong, like a box, fleece will fold like cardboard. even if you reinforce it from the other side with matting, the resin used at first never soaks all the way through and even if it did, resin soaked fleece is way heavier and not near as strong as matting and resin. every thing ive ever seen using fleece turns out to be nothing but a BONDO covered gonna just crack later piece of crap, not fiberglass. might as well call boxes made with fleece "BONDO BOXES" not fiberglass boxes.
^^^
Posted By: spookiestylez
Date Posted: December 09, 2008 at 11:02 PM
As long as the project will actually fit your vehicle, I would suggest finishing the project since its so close to completion. Do a little sanding and carpet it it black, then sell it on ebay. If its possible and you have the time, finish and paint it. Then ask for more. That way you at least get some money for the time and some of the materials you invested in it. Lots of custom boxes go for $300 and up, even on ebay.
Like ckeeler wrote earlier, for your next project use a lighter of a material, and use more matte. It will help keep your weight down, and give you a stronger enclosure. Good luck, and dont forget to post some pics.
sS
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RTFM
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