new glass 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=19347
Printed Date: July 27, 2025 at 2:11 AM
Topic: new glass project
Posted By: gta94integra
Subject: new glass project
Date Posted: September 26, 2003 at 9:53 PM
I just took on my first fiberglass interior project. I want to do my dash and door panels but i figured id start with something small so i decided to mold a set of tweeters into my rear triangle window trim. I just want to make sure im going about this the right way. First i really roughed up the trim panel, then i mounted my tweeter bracket, then stretched some fabric over it and into the shape i wanted (actually i used an old pair of whity tighty's...they were real stretchy), then i resined over the fabric and let it harden good. Then i layed a layer of glass over the whole thing. Should one layer of glass on that trim panel be enough? Because it doesnt have to be strong at all...its just holding a tweeter. I just got done glassing it and tomorrow im going to grind it down and put a thin layer of body filler over it and sand it down real smooth...so, is this pretty much the right track? Ill post some pics later if anyones interested in what its gonna look like.
Replies:
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: September 27, 2003 at 8:14 AM
The procdure sounds right. Use one more layer of fiberglass for the project and it should be strong enough to handle the flex of the bondo sanding. If you only use one layer, the project will flex with bondo on it and will most likely crack the bondo and you will need to start over again with the bondo portion of the project.
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: gta94integra
Date Posted: September 29, 2003 at 4:43 PM
Well i've almost got one of the panels done...I've wet sanded with 600 and primed with filler primer about 4 or 5 times and I think i'm about ready for a coat of paint. Here's some pics of what I got so far... 
Posted By: Velocity Motors
Date Posted: September 29, 2003 at 9:22 PM
Looks great !!
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Jeff
Velocity Custom Home Theater
Mobile Audio/Video Specialist
Morden, Manitoba CANADA
Posted By: allchromed01r1
Date Posted: October 02, 2003 at 7:10 AM
gta94integra, what did you do for the sanding part? Did you do it by hand or did you use a tool??
Posted By: gta94integra
Date Posted: October 02, 2003 at 10:19 AM
For the sanding part...I started with real coarse 36 grit with a vibrating palm sander...then worked my way to 120 then 220 then wet sanding with 600. I did some by hand but i dont recommend it because it left a "wavy" look in it. I would suggest using a sanding block and only do those small curvy places by hand. I got one completely finished and ill post pics of the final install...
Posted By: CarStereoNut
Date Posted: October 07, 2003 at 11:52 PM
Hi there I am doing something similar except my panel is all one piece on my car. What I am trying to do is recess an amp into the panel just below the window. To paint the picture even more, I cut the panel out and stretched material over the opening to house the amp I made an MDF box and attached it to the vehicle. I reinstalled the panel and the outline of the box shows through and resined, o k. Now here is where I ran into some problems.....How do i get the resin/fiberglass to stick to the panel? Should I just glass the whole panel like gta94integra did to prevent warping/cracking of the bondo? How many layers of glass? If so should I scuff the panel, what grit sand paper? Should I start over or is there a fix? Sorry for the long post and all the questions any help would be great it is very frustrating as of now but I'm hanging in there. Thanks -CarStereoNut- ------------- -Neekos-
Posted By: gta94integra
Date Posted: October 08, 2003 at 6:03 PM
I would recommend glassing the whole panel for two reasons: 1. The fiberglass may not stick too well to just the edge of a panel and if it does...when you paint it, you may get two different textures...unless you are going to cover it with vinyl or fabric. 2. By glassing the whole thing, it will be strong and the texture will be the same throughout the panel. Before glassing over the panel, rough it up good...I used 36 grit and the glass stuck good. I would recommend doing 2 layers of glass since the panel is bigger and more flexible. It takes longer but the quality makes up for it in the end. The main thing is alot of sanding, it would be best not to sand anything by hand unless you have to (like small areas and corners). If u have anymore questions...post up and ill help with whatever i can, good luck.
Posted By: CarStereoNut
Date Posted: October 08, 2003 at 9:56 PM
Thanks a bunch man it now makes sense. Oh by the way, as I was brousing through the posts I found your finished product. It looks great !! Now I have sonething to look forward to. Thanks again. -CarStereoNut-
Posted By: aerojw317
Date Posted: October 09, 2003 at 5:00 PM
well you seem like the person to ask... i've gone to lows and asked about fiberglass sheets adn fiberglss resin and i got ran in a circle. all tellin me they didnt have anything liek that.... so... where can i buy the fiberglass for my project and wut exactly am i looking for or asking for in this case? thanks, aerojw317 ------------- zonefire317
Posted By: CarStereoNut
Date Posted: October 09, 2003 at 10:18 PM
If you have a Home Depot, Wall Mart, or any good boat supply marina where you are they should carry the products (All Purpose Resin, Fiberglass Chop Mat, Fiberglass Cloth, MEKP Hardener, Bondo, Latex gloves and plenty of them, Acetone to thin out the resin when needed). Also any place that sells cheap paint brushes, you can clean them somewhat with paint thinner to get a few uses out of them but pick up some extra brushes anyway. Im sure there's more materials I just cant think of them. You can also visit selectproducts website just add the .com on the end. I was not sure if we can post websites but thet have all the products you need then some. Thanks -CarStereoNut-
Posted By: gta94integra
Date Posted: October 09, 2003 at 10:37 PM
Carstereonut about summed it up...Just make sure u get some sand paper also. I know lowes carries all the materials because thats where I bought mine at. Its close to the paint department so just ask for fiberglass and the resin and hardner and bondo and gloves and masks and paintbrushes and everything else related to it is right there within the same vicinity of it. Get some real rough sand paper to take the high spots off of the resin and glass. A dual action sander or a vibrating palm sander was very helpful to me. Keep from hand sanding anything as much as u can since it will leave ridges and an uneven surface...any other questions?
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