Newbie, custom fiberglass encolsure

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=35831
Printed Date: July 21, 2025 at 7:00 AM

Topic: Newbie, custom fiberglass encolsure

Posted By: r0yal
Subject: Newbie, custom fiberglass encolsure
Date Posted: July 19, 2004 at 12:48 PM

Hello there, I am very new to this fiberglassing stuff ,and am very interested..

is this what I need to buy?? say if I'm making a custom fiberglass encolsure

https://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/?product_id=9624

and I can use basically any material? like, say I'm making a small box, I can use a big enough t-shirt to wrap, then just spread that stuff in the link on?? lol.. plz help :D

Replies:

Posted By: Coomer
Date Posted: July 19, 2004 at 1:53 PM

That's a reinforced body filler, which you wouldn't want to use to construct the mold for a fiberglass sub enclosure. You'll want to use fiberglass resin combined with fiberglass mat or cloth.

I suggest having a look at these links. posted_image

https://web.njit.edu/~cas1383/proj/main/
https://chris.pfharlock.com/glass/index.htm

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Posted By: r0yal
Date Posted: July 19, 2004 at 3:58 PM

ok, so I need to buy this...correct?

https://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/?product_id=6221

and this?

https://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/?product_id=6226

Posted By: r0yal
Date Posted: July 19, 2004 at 4:00 PM

and for when I make my thing, do I have to place the fiberglass cloth/mat on the top? or just the bottom layer, and then use any material for the top of the enclosure...? I read those tutorials, but just want to make sure. thx

Posted By: CarAudioHelp
Date Posted: July 20, 2004 at 7:00 AM

You're better off going to US Composites to get your fiberglass materials. Get the 2 ounce chop mat and the premium resin (about $20 a gallon), B-440 I think. You can get regular body filler there too, though I prefer Evercoat Rage Gold which they don't carry. Call a local auto body supplier and see if they carry it.

The material you use for each layer depends on the enclosure. You can use a fiberglass base or an MDF base. Then build your frame on that, wrap it in fabric and resin it.

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Posted By: r0yal
Date Posted: July 20, 2004 at 8:04 AM

well, thing is... I am in Canada... and I can get those items I mentioned through work...and I can also get the "rage gold" body filler :) so, would those items be good enough for what I can get ?

Posted By: r0yal
Date Posted: July 20, 2004 at 10:53 AM

ok, so I am at work now, and I have in front of me

https://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/?product_id=6221

this, in a 1 Gallon container

and

https://www.handsontools.com/store/show_product/?product_id=6226

but, 38' x 3 yards

is this the correct items I need?? and will that be enough cloth?? plz help me haha...

Posted By: CarAudioHelp
Date Posted: July 20, 2004 at 4:00 PM

The resin will work and so will the cloth. Personally I use chop mat and not woven mat but it should still work. I couldn't tell you if it's enough without knowing the size of your box and the wrapping fabric used. Since you can get it at work I wouldn't worry about it. Just get some more than next day if you run out.

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Posted By: r0yal
Date Posted: July 20, 2004 at 4:28 PM

oh ok..thx :) lol... we can get the "evercoat" products through work...and I get them fairly cheap... so do you know if they would have any "chop mat" I checked www.evercoat.com and I didnt see any, unless its a different name... I seen fiberglass mat... should I order some of that instead of the cloth? is it better to work with? stronger? easier to shape? cheaper?

Posted By: defective
Date Posted: July 21, 2004 at 7:44 AM

theopposite of everything you asked, harder to work with, weaker, harder to shape, but it is cheaper, and will do the job fine.

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Posted By: CarAudioHelp
Date Posted: July 21, 2004 at 7:48 AM

The thing about chop mat is that it falls apart relatively easily when it's wet. I like that because it let's me get into tight areas and shop the fibers they way I want them to lay. Cloth stays together because it's woven and is good for flatter areas without sudden angles, nooks or crannies.

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Posted By: r0yal
Date Posted: July 21, 2004 at 9:43 AM

:-( I cant get chop mat tho... haha

so do you guys think the size of the cloth I mentioned would be enough for lets say, "KICKPANELS" ? lol

btw, thx for helpin me out

Posted By: defective
Date Posted: July 21, 2004 at 2:23 PM

a t-shirt would be enough withnomat...... but i recommend SOME mat

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Posted By: r0yal
Date Posted: July 21, 2004 at 6:21 PM

???

I'm sooooo confused... haha. ok, so for the BASE of a fiberglass enclosure, you put the tape down, then resin the area, then put down some fiberglass cloth/mat and then resin over that... once that is dry, you pull it out.. then make your rings, etc.. then wrap a shirt around it... then I thought you were supposed to put like 5 more layers of cloth all over it... I was thinkin, holy crap... this is gonna cost a fortune for all that fiberglass cloth to cover the whole thing like 7 times... haha so, I really dont need to cover the TOP part with cloth/mat ? just the base?

Posted By: r0yal
Date Posted: July 22, 2004 at 2:38 PM

...is chop mat, just fiberglass mat "chopped up" ????? as in, I could buy some, cut it up and then I'd have "chop mat" ? haha

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