Fibreglassing Sub Boxes

[Azid]

Hey guys

Does anyone have a walk through or explain how to do a fibreglass boot set up.

I know u make the basic shape out of timber but that's bout it do u wrap it in a material and apply the fibreglass putty to the material or what? I'm keen to give it a try

[ms700]

Umm fibreglass isnt a putty as such

Fibreglass is like a matt material, you then have to add resin to that material to make it set rigid. And you mix the resin with a hardener before the application to make it set properly. Add to much hardener and it will set before you are ready. Dont add enough hardener and it will take ages to go off. Oh yeah, you need to take into account how hot or cold it is too! Oh yeah, the resin can get to your head too, so make sure you are working in a well ventilated area.

If you havent got any experience in it, Id suggest practicing on something not so ambitious as a sub box, as it will turn real messy, real quick. Cleaning resin up out of boot carpet is virtually impossible.

[Dagabond]

[Gussa]

Make sure you account for the correct box volume to suit the speaker. Very important.

[ms700]

lol @ dags

should read my posts before hitting "post"

oh yeah

[Azid]

So any info walkthroughs?

[knoles]

I had the same idea about 2 years ago of making fully sick fibreglass sub boxes, I made a few. None of them I was ever happy with either the build quality or strength or something was always wrong. Ended up making a wooden box to perfect spec and was alot happier with it. I learnt everything off you tube, theres lots of vids on there.

[1NSANE]

You will either have to use your boot as the mould or make another mould to use. I used my boot when I did mine but make sure you cover your boot with masking tape and I used aluminium foil as a release agent. Once I got the shape with a couple of layers of fibreglass I took it out and finished it. Just be aware of your boots opening area so you can get it in and out and have some wood bracing inside. I was an amateur and I only did this once but it turned out well. Hope I helped. Good luck.

Ben

[Azid]

So correct me if I'm wrong from what I've read.

You build your shape. Use material to help get shape.

Then you cover it in a resin and let it dry

Then u layer it with mat. Sand it back and keep doing layers

Then do u have to use a body filler for some reason. Sand it back then u paint it?

[XAH03]

Make mould. Make sure you have a releasing type material so the fiberglass mould will pull away once it dries (I use celo tape at work) sometimes if we are making a new mould we also coat the mould in a thin layer of polish so it's easier to pull away from.

Cut your strips of matting up for your hard to reach areas and this makes it easier to get it all good and done properly.

On your bigger areas you can obviously use larger sections of glass mat. Also make sure you have enough glass for the job, you don't want to get half way through the job and run out.

Get a paint brush, you may want a smaller one for small and tight areas and also a larger for large sections.

Make up your resin and catalyst mix. We use a 2% catalyst to resin ratio. Again make sure you have enough for the job. Make sure the mix ratio is right. Different products may have a different ratio, should say on the labels anyway.

Brush the resin mix onto the mould you have made up. Then once you have a layer of resin down lay your mat over the top and brush more resin onto the mat. Once that layer of mat is done repeat laying more mat and resin down until you have your desired thickness. After each layer and before you start the next layer make sure there are no dry parts of mat because then you'll get air bubbles and it will be brittle and easier to crack. When I repair glass body kits depending on where it is I will usually lay 4-6 layers down.

Once this is all done grab yourself a beer sit back and watch your fiberglassing excellence dry.

After its dry and your happy with it sand it back a bit so the bog/ body filler will stick to the job, sand it up sand till it's smooth then paint.

Now grab another beer and listen to the fully sick doof doof.