How hard is fiberglass to work with?

[fleetingglimpse]

I know it is not advisable to build asub box if you are unexperienced with fiberglass but how hard is it to work with? I don't feel like paying $500 plus for a custom enclosure. Any help would be great.

[Blue Lucifer]

I know how you feel. I've never worked with fiberglass, but I've worked with resin and curing it.

[chameleon]

Its really easy to work with IMO.

[SQ GT-S]

Fiberglassing isn't all the tough. Getting the specific shape(s) you want is the tough part. And not to mention you will have a lot of sanding if you plan to paint the fiberglass. Check the appearance section. I think there is a post about fiberglassing in there, too.

Curt

[fleetingglimpse]

thanks, I saw the post that gave directions on how to fiberglass. Would it be better to buy in bulk for a sub box? and about how long does it take usually?

[J3adSeed]

you will need to buy in bulk for sure. supplies can be super expensive. and its a pain i think. i mean, its time consuming and messy. and making it look perfect is hard when you've never done it.

[aZnTrD2k]

Originally posted by J3adSeed
you will need to buy in bulk for sure. supplies can be super expensive. and its a pain i think. i mean, its time consuming and messy. and making it look perfect is hard when you've never done it.


I thkn making your own FG enclosure is interesting and fun. BUt for me I dont really have the time to do it.....I leave it to the professionals:thumbup:

[SQ GT-S]

Try something like this. :) All the panels are fiberglassed and vinyled or painted.

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p94eb7898f92d970f30a4dcc2c746fad9/fab54a7a.jpg

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid85/p94eb7898f92d970f30a4dcc2c746fad9/fab54a7a.jpg.orig.jpg

Curt

[perry190]

Fg isnt that hard but as already said it is very labour intensive getting it smooth enough to paint if thats the finish you want? covering it in vinyl etc would be an easier option.

This is my first attempt at fg before it was painted
http://muchos.co.uk/members/perry190/pods%20in%20boot%20005for%20mail.jpg

and here it is painted the same colour as the car

http://www.celica-club.co.uk/cgi-bin/photopost/data/524/131pods_in_boot_010_-_mail.jpg


I now have some polished stainless steel trim rings around the subs and speakers to finish it off.

yuo mauinly need to make a frame with mdf rings and legs then stretch material over it until you have the shape you want. once this is doen to can start layering the resin and fg mat up untill its thick enough (about 6 layers) then its filler, filler , filler !

[Black_TRD]

Originally posted by perry190
Fg isnt that hard but as already said it is very labour intensive getting it smooth enough to paint if thats the finish you want? covering it in vinyl etc would be an easier option.

This is my first attempt at fg before it was painted
http://muchos.co.uk/members/perry190/pods%20in%20boot%20005for%20mail.jpg

and here it is painted the same colour as the car

http://www.celica-club.co.uk/cgi-bin/photopost/data/524/131pods_in_boot_010_-_mail.jpg


I now have some polished stainless steel trim rings around the subs and speakers to finish it off.

yuo mauinly need to make a frame with mdf rings and legs then stretch material over it until you have the shape you want. once this is doen to can start layering the resin and fg mat up untill its thick enough (about 6 layers) then its filler, filler , filler !

thats great it looks profesionally done, and for a first attempt woooooow! You should cosider doing it as a part time or somthing. that is really sweet. :drool:

EDIT: and by filler what do you mean? bondo? I want to do a small work around the radio later!

[chameleon]

perry190, that looks really great. :thumbup:

SQ GT-S, are you the guy that stopped by Dougs shop and talked to him about my car? He said that a Celica owner stopped by with a custom system, and the pictures you posted look like way he described it to me.

[SQ GT-S]

Chameleon,

Yeah, I'm the guy that was at the shop. Is he done with your car yet? I want to see the finished product. I've only seen bits and pieces of the dash and console. I have a few pics, too.

I actually know Doug from IASCA car shows. I'm waiting for him to get his Honda in the lanes. But as usual, he's always too busy.

Curt

[perry190]

Originally posted by Black_TRD
by filler what do you mean? bondo? I want to do a small work around the radio later!

I'm afraid we dont have anything called 'bondo' in the UK? I used normal car filler like you would to repair a bumper etc?

I used it around the radio as well but I did put some nylon mesh in it to give it some strength when flexing.

http://www.celica-club.co.uk/cgi-bin/photopost/data/524/131interior_for_site_.jpg

[SQ GT-S]

Originally posted by perry190
I'm afraid we dont have anything called 'bondo' in the UK? I used normal car filler like you would to repair a bumper etc?

I used it around the radio as well but I did put some nylon mesh in it to give it some strength when flexing.

http://www.celica-club.co.uk/cgi-bin/photopost/data/524/131interior_for_site_.jpg

That looks sweet. Interesting how you have the deck above the LCD.

As for Bondo, it's a brand name. We here in the States tend to call automotive body filler "Bondo" just because.

Curt

[perry190]

ah got ya :-) I put the deck up top because I found the sunlight interfered with the screen