falcoln0014

I'm interested in making a few things for my FB out of fiberglass...just can't seem to find any good...solid...info on how to do it exactly



Does anyone have any links to how-to pages I could have?



Did a search on the forum and found a little about it...but not much...i want to do all of my reasearch before I get deep into this stuff...any help would be appreciated

DigitalSynthesis

Uhhh... its not easy. But its not impossible. Its just about the same as trying to make something out of paper mache using honey to stick it together.



While i can't point you to any resources I have used fiberglass to repair a number of holes and other problems with my car's body. The basic idea is this: if you want to CREATE something from scratch, you build a mold out of whatever you have, styrofoam or another soft but rigid material works well. You need a smooth surface on your mold. You then put something like a thin layer of vaseline on the mold so the epoxy doesn't stick to it. Lay a sheet of fiberglass on it, and brush the epoxy into it until it soaks into the fabric. Then squeegee as much of the epoxy off as possible. You don't want a lot of epoxy, you just want the FG wet with it. Lay another layer of FG down and repeat. Stop once the desired thickness has been reached. once the epoxy has set, break the item free from the mold, clean and sand as necessary, then paint. The trick is to use as little epoxy as possible but to keep the FG completely wet (it turns almost clear when you've got enough epoxy, then remove the excess). Practice on a couple small objects without very complex curves and you'll get the hang of it quickly.



That's the basic process, there are books on the subject at Amazon but I haven't read any to recommend.

Rob x-7

its something that you should have someone show you, or guide

you through, look in your local yellow pages for a supplier, give

them a call, and they usually give you some advice as long

as you buy things from them, might even have someone who

works there or buys from them who you can hire to do something

and you can watch them do it.



just be sure if your following digital's advice on making a mold

that you dont lay too much on at one time, it will generate too

much heat and distort

psyclo

don't dupe yourself into thinking your going to make a great looking part that fits even decently without lots of help or lots of practice. making something look good with fiberglass is though for a beginner who doesn't have the knowledge or tools. check out your local book store or library for some books on it. It will take practice to get good but once you are you can make tons of great parts, its getting there that is hard. i've been dabbling in FRP for little over a year and i still suck at it sure i can make simple stuff but its tough to make it look good, especially when you don't have a full shop of the right tools.

falcoln0014

Getting tools really isn't a problem...my dad teaches shop class at one of the local schools...and we've tons of tools at the house here as well...from my other projects....I was actually thinking of making a form fitting sub box for the rear of my rex



I've got a q-logic dual 10" box in there right now...but it really takes up too much space for my liking...I think if it was form fitting to the rear I could easily fit some 12's or 15's and still have more space than I do now



I'll go pick me up a respirator and some glass to play with at some point...long sleeve shirt and some good gloves as well...don't want this stuff on me :P



I was looking at some tutorials on building speaker enclosures from glass...using fleece (polyester) to form the first layer...then laying the fiber matting over it



but...I'm going to do some more research into this...and "play" with the glass a bit to get a feel for it...then when I feel ready...i'll start gathering things to build the enclosure

Rob x-7

how form fitting?

falcoln0014

very...as in i cover the entire area with masking tape...or perhaps alluminum tape...and plastic...then start by making a glass shell of the area I want the box...then pull the "frame" that I made and fill it in...



Something like these tutorials I've been looking at...but I'm not sure how a fiber box will sound as compared to traditional wood...havn't ever heard any myself



heres the tutorial stuff i've been looking at

Chris' Tutorials



I was thinking of moving the 6 1/2 kenwood 3-ways I have in the rear...so they aim more toward the front...might move them up a foot or so...mounted on the glass housing...with their own air to use of course...should be better than just stuck in a hole in the back of the car...no sort of seal there...bad bass...BAD



then depending on what will fit...I"d like to mount my amp toward the center...above the spare tire...then put a set of 12's, 15's, or 18's on the sides...depending on what I have enough room for



The idea is to give me more space in the back...by countouring my box to the insides of the car...instead of just having a huge...wooden box in the back



of course this will take a lot of planning...for the subs alone...I'll have to see how many CU FT of air space I will be able to get...then find some subs to match

Rob x-7

if thats your goal, just lay the glass in there over the tape

and dont bother removing it until you have to, in other

words never.



wax the tape, use metal tape even though the 3M stuff is like

$30-$50 a roll depending on width.



maybe put some of that filler they put in speaker boxes in there

when your done.



or maybe just try Dynomatting the compartment and forget the glass

falcoln0014

I get rolls of alluminum tape over in hardware at wal-mart for next to nothing...much cheaper than the stuff you find in automotive...and I got gobs of poly fill laying around this room from other audio projects



just gotta go buy a bunch of glass now...and play with it a bit before I start ripping the rex apart again



thanks for the info

psyclo

Make sure the wall of the box are thick. As hard as mdf would be. That means lots of layers.