Noob Fiberglass Enclosure?
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=65348
Printed Date: April 25, 2024 at 5:44 PM
Topic: Noob Fiberglass Enclosure?
Posted By: ace_ram
Subject: Noob Fiberglass Enclosure?
Date Posted: October 31, 2005 at 8:39 AM
I need to create a FB enclosure about 1.75 cu. ft. ported. There would be big parts of the enclosure that would be flat. How do you reinforce the flat areas? I have read that flat areas for FB is bad. And what is the ideal thickness? For MDF it is 3/4 inch, would 1/2 inch for FB do? Does FB need bracing? I have experience making MDF enclosures, but not FB..
Replies:
Posted By: djrcustom
Date Posted: October 31, 2005 at 9:08 AM
For flat areas try to use MDF, Fiberglass is brittle when its all flat. Make a MDF frame then wrap it in fiberlgass...Here is an example
HzEmall
For thickness its can be hard to tell sometimes, I do what most do and go with the thumb test, after you have a few layers on let it dry and then start pressing all over it with your thumb where it flex's down I ad a few more layers. Fiberglass won't need to be 1/2inch think though, about 6-9 layers with a thick matt should do the trick. Hope this helped :)
Posted By: ace_ram
Date Posted: October 31, 2005 at 11:01 AM
Thanks, this helped a lot.. But I would prefer a pure FB enclosure.. Is there a way to do this?
Posted By: djrcustom
Date Posted: October 31, 2005 at 12:49 PM
Yeah you can but the safest way to do it is use MDF, if you want all fiberglass one trick is to add some robe to make ridges in the flat areas. The more ridges the better, FG is much stronger with curves. Lay one or two layers down then while it is still sticky lay down the rope or anything else you have, I would say about 1-2 inches apart across the whole flat portion, then add a few layers to cover the ropes, but remember to let the FG harden between the layers (not fully but atleast to where it is stiff) GOod luck with it :)
Posted By: Poormanq45
Date Posted: October 31, 2005 at 7:19 PM
Ok, you do NOT have to use MDF. It defeats one of the main purposes of FG, which is light weight.
For the flat areas I have found that putting cardboard down, and then coating it on both sides makes it as hard(er) then MDF
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Posted By: ace_ram
Date Posted: November 01, 2005 at 12:48 AM
Yep, I need it to be thinner than a 3/4 mdf so that I can have more volume for my SUV. Thanks, maybe I'll try the rope thing to strengthen the FB, by the way do I need to brace the FB enclosure(it's about 1.75 cu. ft.)? Thanks
Posted By: realitycheck
Date Posted: November 08, 2005 at 8:51 AM
Ace, as long as when you push on the fiberglass with your thumb and it doesnt flex. Then there is no need to brace it. If it flexes then try some of the tricks they're talking about. The rope, or taking cardboard and painting resin on both sides of it then put a layer or two of glass over it.
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Learning the trade one fiberglass creation at a time!
Posted By: alexcd
Date Posted: November 17, 2005 at 2:18 PM
djrcustom wrote:
For flat areas try to use MDF, Fiberglass is brittle when its all flat. Make a MDF frame then wrap it in fiberlgass...Here is an example
HzEmall
For thickness its can be hard to tell sometimes, I do what most do and go with the thumb test, after you have a few layers on let it dry and then start pressing all over it with your thumb where it flex's down I ad a few more layers. Fiberglass won't need to be 1/2inch think though, about 6-9 layers with a thick matt should do the trick. Hope this helped :)
Sweet install. How many people did it take to carry that in there?
Posted By: ace_ram
Date Posted: November 30, 2005 at 8:15 AM
I am planning to make a FG enclosure and it will be attached to the back door of my mitsubishi Pajero(montero in the US). How do you go about using bolts for your enclosure?
Posted By: xplizt
Date Posted: December 20, 2005 at 1:27 AM
washers... big washers
Posted By: captain_zap
Date Posted: December 21, 2005 at 6:37 PM
the first question is how big on an enclosure?
Posted By: ace_ram
Date Posted: December 22, 2005 at 9:25 AM
approximately 1.75 cu. ft., it will be attached to the rear cargo door of my suv..
Posted By: dragon51
Date Posted: December 22, 2005 at 8:09 PM
Just make sure of where the gas tank is I have seen people drill right into befor an this was at a shop back home  Needles to say they had to replace the gas tank.
Posted By: total_overkill
Date Posted: December 23, 2005 at 8:46 PM
I used the existing seatbelt and back seat frame. lol check my new post and youll get it
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40 grit has saved my life sometimes =[
Posted By: ace_ram
Date Posted: December 30, 2005 at 2:58 AM
I'm building a ported(using PVC pipe 3") FG enclosure for my car, the questions are, do you need both ends of the port to be flared? Lenght of my port is about 10" and the FG enclosure size is about 1.8 cu. ft...
Posted By: total_overkill
Date Posted: January 02, 2006 at 9:02 AM
A really good option to cardboard is thin wood. Doesn't have to be real wood pick what ya want and thickness as well. I also found that drywall cornerbead and bolts will make an awesome Skeleton\frame for you, And is really light and cheap. You can probably get wood and cornerbead at the same place. 
------------- 40 grit has saved my life sometimes =[
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