Fiberglass box
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=31516
Printed Date: July 23, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Topic: Fiberglass box
Posted By: fuseblower
Subject: Fiberglass box
Date Posted: May 03, 2004 at 10:22 AM
This my my first time attempting to build a fiberglass box. I know that fiber glass resin hardens real fast so I am planning on doing my box in steps. The box is going in a truck so I am looking at doing it it sections. Is doing it in sections going to make the box weaker and create a situation where the box may fall apart at the seams are connected? Also, since I am going to use the body of the interior truck so that I can mold the box to fit the floor I am thinking about lining it with foil to keep the resin from sticking to the carpet. Is it safe to use a t-shirt to do the initial frame work since it requires less resin to soak and I plan on covering it with fleece and mat to strengthing it once it hards and I can take it out of the truck.
Replies:
Posted By: sam1
Date Posted: May 03, 2004 at 10:31 AM
ok, you can do it in sections. it may be weak at the seams, so you will have to reinforce those areas. id put bracing throughout the enclosure as well. and you can use a tshirt instead of fleece. the only thing that does is allow you to have a platform to lay the fiberglass on. also, if your using a tshirt for that, i wouldnt stretch a fleece over it as well. just either/or. i prefer fleece just because its a little thicker, so it soaks up more resin and that makes it a little stouter than a thinner cloth would be. with a tinner cloth, youll also want to make sure to stretch it REALLY tight. otherwise it will sag, which you dont want cause its a bitch to fix. and i would definately use tin foil and lots of tape anywhere you dont want the fg to stick because it is quite permanent. i put two layers of masking tape everywhere, then taped up a layer of tinfoil.
Posted By: TAudio
Date Posted: May 03, 2004 at 10:35 AM
the foil will work, however I am partial to lining the area with duct tape. T shirt material will work fine. That is what I use most of the time when I cover a frame. Just make sure it isn't too stretchy.
As far a building the box in pieces I'm not to sure. how fast your resin hardens depends on how much MEKP you put in it and what the weather is like. In a warm humid environment it will harden much quicker than in a cool dry one. I would try to put as much down at one time as possible (2-3 layers) and then pull it out. Also make sure you sand the surfaces you are going to apply more glass to between layers so it will stick better (just light sanding). Mix the MEKP on the light side and just glass away dude.
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If quiters never win, and winners never quit, who the heck came up with the idea that you should quit while your ahead?
Posted By: fuseblower
Date Posted: May 06, 2004 at 8:13 AM
I will be starting my project next week... Since I am looking at putting the box in a truck I have been debating on how to actually lay out the initial frame. Here is what I am thinking and please if any one can help me out. After making the bottom mold I am planning on using a thin peace of board like a 1/4 inch thick or thinner for the front of the box. The purpose is because I want the front of the box to be straight accross but I need an angle of about 60 degrees. Than I will sit the front board on the bottom mold. I will use hot glue and some small braces to hold the front in place on the bottom. Once in place, I plan on glassing the front board to the bottom. So far does this sounds like it will work..
Posted By: sam1
Date Posted: May 06, 2004 at 10:00 AM
sounds good to me, except for the 1/4" MDF. a 12 would blow that apart quick style. if you want to keep this box, i would definately suggest at least 5/8". i use 3/4" MDF or fiberglass for all my enclosures. but other than that, should be pretty easy.
Posted By: pureRF
Date Posted: May 06, 2004 at 3:31 PM
If you gonna make a mold i would DEF suggest making a speaker ring and wrapping it in fleece to get that custom fiberglass look instead of using MDF.
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dream it, build it, fiberglass it
Posted By: tckustoms
Date Posted: May 09, 2004 at 10:32 PM
I'm also a first time glasser. I have a 04 scion xb and i want to glass in 2 matts 12's to the roof. My question is with the speaker rings how do you support them in the angles to lay the fleese. thanks
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tckustoms
Posted By: defective
Date Posted: May 10, 2004 at 9:49 AM
if this is your first project, i would definately not suggest glassing anythiung to a roof..... try a flush floor or some kicks first...... I went overboard on one of my first projects and it caused me alot of wasted time and money... if i did the same job now... it would cost nearly nothing...... you really gotta practise with the stuff first
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Posted By: sam1
Date Posted: May 10, 2004 at 12:36 PM
first time glassing huh? fun stuff. well anyways, i dont know if youve seen this link before, but it helped me a lot when i first learned how to glass. https://www.e-kittan.com/fibre.html but anyways, now for your question. to support my speaker ring i used 4 pieces of 1" x 1/8" wood. i just positioned the ring how i wanted it to look, then made some cardboard templates so i could get all the lengths and angles right. then i cut my wood pieces and stuck them in there and played with them until i got it perfect. then i just hot glued them in. simple as that. i glassed them in once i got the fleece on too, so that they are permanent supports.
Posted By: tckustoms
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 9:21 PM
hey sam1 thanks for the link i read therw it and it will help me in buliding the my first fiberglass box.
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tckustoms
Posted By: tckustoms
Date Posted: May 13, 2004 at 9:23 PM
thanks sam1 i read threw the link and it is very informitive i know it will help me alot
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tckustoms
Posted By: fuseblower
Date Posted: May 21, 2004 at 1:34 PM
Well guys I finally started. I covered my interior with foil and layed out one layer of fleece and glassed it. The fleece seems sort of thin, but it was only 1.97 a yard at wal-mart. Should I do the next layers with fleece or switch to fiberglass cloth/mat? The only MDF that I will be using is the rings and possibly a few wooden dials to form the straight edges.
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