finishing 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=41135
Printed Date: May 04, 2024 at 12:58 PM

Topic: finishing fiberglass box

Posted By: Slammed_Am
Subject: finishing fiberglass box
Date Posted: October 18, 2004 at 2:14 PM

Just finishing up a fiberglass box for my 99 Jeep Cheroke and wondering the best way to get a good finish on it. I realize getting a textured finish like the rest of the interior pannels is going to be nearly impossible, but what would you all suggest I do? Just smooth it out with bodyfiller and prime then paint?

Replies:

Posted By: audiomechanic
Date Posted: October 18, 2004 at 5:50 PM

what do you want it to be finished like?

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Posted By: boxmaker85
Date Posted: October 18, 2004 at 8:46 PM

I like a good painted glassy surface. But that's just me.

Posted By: 93accordSE
Date Posted: October 18, 2004 at 11:49 PM

There are sprays that can get somewhat of a texture, forgot what they are called. Check hzemall.com he has a product list of what he uses for all of his projects.

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Posted By: Slammed_Am
Date Posted: October 19, 2004 at 9:45 AM

I would like an as close to factory look as possible, but like I said, retaining that is probably impossible. I'll check out hzemall.com and see what's there.

I'm probably going to be just making it smooth and painting it to match the other pannels, the only gripe I have with doing that, is having this big smoothed out pannel compared to the other interior pannels that are textured. Anyone have any suggestions on how to make that "blend" in with the other stock pannels?

OR just smooth it out and paint it body color (chilli pepper red pearl)?

Posted By: boxmaker85
Date Posted: October 19, 2004 at 11:02 AM

A body color on an enclosure always catches my eye. And a red pearl will look nice. Make sure you do a good job or you're enclosure will look like a combo of your exterior and interior surface (smoothed out and glassy w/ dimples and pinholes looks like crap)

Posted By: Alpine Guy
Date Posted: October 19, 2004 at 11:37 AM

what about vinyl? to match the factory vinyl?

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2003 Chevy Avalanche,Eclipse CD7000,Morel Elate 5,Adire Extremis,Alpine PDX-4.150, 15" TC-3000, 2 Alpine PDX-1.1000, 470Amp HO Alt.

Posted By: boxmaker85
Date Posted: October 19, 2004 at 9:24 PM

If you can find vinyl to match then yeah go for it. Make sure you can form the vinyl to the curves.

Posted By: Slammed_Am
Date Posted: October 20, 2004 at 1:37 PM

I'm working on making it as smooth as I can. I picked up some SEM Texture Coating Spray(same stuff used by hzemail.com on alot of his factory finish installs). If I don't coat the whole thing with "texture", maybe I'll get creative and mask off the edges and just coat that while I do the center an actual sub pod in body color. Sounds like a lot of work.hmmmm Thanks for the help guys

Posted By: HottAccord
Date Posted: October 21, 2004 at 6:49 PM

Yup I like the shiny glossy look too...my recent friend "Rage Gold" makes it all so much easier to get that smooth surface that just begs for a nice paint job! posted_image

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Im a fiberglass whore!!

Posted By: Slammed_Am
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 5:33 PM

Just got a digital cam and got some pics posted of this project. For those interested.....

https://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/680128

Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 9:22 PM

woohoo hottaccord oh yeah, my new best friend is rage gold also hey thats funny our friends have the same name. Huh what do you know.

And SlammedAm that box looks awesome man it looks like a factory panel, like it came in the car. I hope thats the look you were going for because if it was you got it man.

Posted By: Slammed_Am
Date Posted: November 17, 2004 at 9:57 PM

Yeah, at first I didn't know if I wanted the enclosure to jump out that the look of painting it glossy body color would have given,but decided to go for a more stealth/factory look.

Thanks for all who helped!