Questions about fibreglassing
07-03-2005, 12:32 AM
#1
So i'm new when it comes to fibreglassing and I searched up a few links. I found this link that covers it pretty well. However, I still have a couple questions.
What should I use to protect the area that I am going to fibreglass? Chris seems to use masking tape, but doesnt tape absorb resin and therefore wont it stick to the trunk? What about a garbage bag or something?
Secondly, after covering the top of the box with a sheet and resining that, Chris seems to use more fibreglass on top of that. I swear that I have seen people forgo this step and skip right to sanding the resined sheet. Am I wrong?
This is all for some subs that I plan to put in the corners of my trunk. One box for each.
Any help is appreciated.
What should I use to protect the area that I am going to fibreglass? Chris seems to use masking tape, but doesnt tape absorb resin and therefore wont it stick to the trunk? What about a garbage bag or something?
Secondly, after covering the top of the box with a sheet and resining that, Chris seems to use more fibreglass on top of that. I swear that I have seen people forgo this step and skip right to sanding the resined sheet. Am I wrong?
This is all for some subs that I plan to put in the corners of my trunk. One box for each.
Any help is appreciated.
07-03-2005, 06:12 AM
#2
2000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: May 2000
Posts: 2,406
There are many examples on my site www. stuff like the Lincoln, Escape, Tiburon, Focus and integra all show really good examples
I always use either masking tape or foil with a mold release applied to either of those.
Use a heavy duty fleece for your stretch, this will soak up lots of resin and become up to 1/4" thick. Then apply your fiberglass to the inside so that you don't destroy the shape you have create on the front and have to spend hours sanding it straight and smooth. I always leave a access area from the back or bottom to be able to get inside to apply the fiberglass matt.
Don't buy fiberglass supplies from autoparts or hardware stores either, it's all crap and over priced, look for a fiberglass supply store (boating, decking etc)
email me if you have any other questions
I always use either masking tape or foil with a mold release applied to either of those.
Use a heavy duty fleece for your stretch, this will soak up lots of resin and become up to 1/4" thick. Then apply your fiberglass to the inside so that you don't destroy the shape you have create on the front and have to spend hours sanding it straight and smooth. I always leave a access area from the back or bottom to be able to get inside to apply the fiberglass matt.
Don't buy fiberglass supplies from autoparts or hardware stores either, it's all crap and over priced, look for a fiberglass supply store (boating, decking etc)
email me if you have any other questions
07-03-2005, 10:40 AM
#3
500 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 603
i used masking tape, and well... the resin made that tape stick like there was no tommorow. spent hours trying to get the tape off of the metal rim.
one question for DWVW: why is fiberglass supplies from places like that "crap"? is it just overpriced?
one question for DWVW: why is fiberglass supplies from places like that "crap"? is it just overpriced?
07-03-2005, 11:07 AM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Well Tim said it, but I guess since I know the answer I can reply. It has usually been sitting on a shelf for at least 8 months, which is very bad. Gel time will vary as will consistancy. It will be impossible to get a perfect cure. Stuff from an actual fiberglass supplier will be fresh and you will be able to time it's gel and cure time with a stopwatch once you have some experience. Also it will have a good consistency that will allow it to soak into fleece all the way through. Also it's actually about 1/2 the price of the chain store crap. I use Industrial Paint and Plastic, but they are only in the west, call to a good car audio shop and find out where they get theirs from. If they say CT or Home Depot, don't get fiberglass work done there.
07-03-2005, 03:57 PM
#5
50 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Apr 2003
Posts: 77
it's just the resin though right? i mean fiberglass mat is basically all the same right?
oh yeah, one thing that seems to have been slightly overlook from the first post.
you NEED to add fiberglass after the initial cloth. resin on it's own is very brittle, and it will not be nearly strong enough for subs. you won't as little flexing as possible for a sub box, you will want i'd say at least 4-6(usually more is necessary) layers of fiberglass, and fiberglass is much stiffer around curves, so you'll want to reinforce any large flat ares(or avoid them altogether with your design).
oh yeah, one thing that seems to have been slightly overlook from the first post.
you NEED to add fiberglass after the initial cloth. resin on it's own is very brittle, and it will not be nearly strong enough for subs. you won't as little flexing as possible for a sub box, you will want i'd say at least 4-6(usually more is necessary) layers of fiberglass, and fiberglass is much stiffer around curves, so you'll want to reinforce any large flat ares(or avoid them altogether with your design).
07-03-2005, 05:42 PM
#6
1000 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,024
When I bought fibreglass, it was a lot more expensive at my local marina than it was at CT for the Bondo Fibreglass Kit. I bought 2 of those and they worked fine for my application, although I'm no expert on fibreglass quality since it was my first time.
07-03-2005, 06:48 PM
#8
0 Watt CAFz'r
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 46
regular painters masking tape is all you need, foil isn't necessary. If you are going to go to a fibreglass supply store, ask for "PVA mold release". You apply it to the tape and it dries into a thin film, and makes it possible to remove the fibreglass from the tape without it sticking.
07-03-2005, 11:39 PM
#10
Can you guys help me out as to what kind (density i guess) of fibreglass I should be getting and what kind of resin? There appears to me numerous kinds of fibreglass and resin to choose from. i would be getting my supplies from http://westmarine.com as I was reffered to there because it was the cheapest.
