So I re-finished the speaker pods with black leather today. Hopefully I'll do the same to the a-pillars tomorrow. The black suede I found I didn't like so I got some tan instead... I thought it would have matched better with my interior, but it didn't so I ended up using the black leather. I think it looks much better than before now (if I may say so myself)

 

Oh, and if anyone's got any opinions on how to improve my painting, please please let me know, as I'm going to have to do it in the future when I fit the alpine w-505 into my dash.

Thanks in advance!

 

Where in Ontario are you?

I would say the some of the best tricks to a smooth finish are making sure you use sanding blocks, use a good high build primer and to make sure you sand you fiberglass before it gets hard.

 

Thanks for the tips, fozzz. Sanding before the fiberglass/filler hardens sounds like a really good idea.

Thanks again

ps. I'm in the KW region... near Toronto.

 

Nice work for your first go at it. I think it's awesome when people step up and do their own builds instead of shelling out money to have someone else do it.

A couple of thoughts. That driver in the door, think next time about using a thicker baffle .......... like 5/8 or 3/4" MDF. MDF is very easy to sand and contour. Always a good idea to have a very strong surface to mount to as well as a strong enclosure. You don't want the pod to start vibrating and acting like a speaker itself. When I use to judge, we use to yank on these kinds of pods...... enuf to move the vehicle to ensure that they were well constructed, solid, and securely fastened to the vehicle (for safety reasons....... you don't want it to fall off and end up under your brake pedal!!)

When stretching material to form the pods, you can glue it/staple it down and make sure the stretch is TIGHT !! You can then reinforce from the inside. That leaves you with a nicer finish and a hell of a lot less sanding. I hate sanding.

Another trick for finishing is using rocker guard that you can get at Canadian Tire. It hides mistakes and makes tough to cover pieces very easy to finish. You have to play with spray it a bit but you can achieve a decent texture. And it makes finishing pieces REALLY easy.


Cheers

 

Thanks for the input, tom. the mian reason i didn't use a thicker baffle was because I didn't want the driver sticking out too much... but you're probably right, it woulda been a better idea.

I appreciate the tips too. Will definitely take them into account for my next project!

 

good job man i did the same thing to a vette and a regal gsx not to long ago