fiberglass sub box

[mightytexn]

I was just wondering how thick you made the walls of the box? I want to it this summer, and don't want to ruin it cause I make it too thin.

[ci5ic]

Depends on what you'll be running... if you're really going to be pounding it, make it pretty thick, like 7 or 8 layers...

[AudioHead]

7-8 is a bit over kill unless your running that new Kicker l7 18. around four to five is about right. just make sure you use the Mat and not the cloth. also fleece works real well.

[xxdcmast]

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN TH EMAT AND THE CLOTH? AND WHERE DO I GET FIBERGLASS MAT AND FLEECE?

[AudioHead]

The cloth is …well, woven real tight in a pattern like a basket. The mat is strands of fiber meshed together that can be pulled apart pretty easy which makes it easier to work with and stronger because there is no real “pattern” to it. Both of these you can buy at your local auto parts store along with the resin. The fleece you should try to use along with the mat so to add thickness to the box.you can use an old sweeter or go to your local fabric store. If you have any questions on this feel free to ask me I have over 7 years of glass experience and still do car audio at my second job. Good luck

[xxdcmast]

IM THINKING OF DOING A TIRE WELL SUB ENCLOSURE, I HAVE READ A FEW THINGS ONLINE REGARDING THIS AND IT SEEMS LIKE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT IF IM PATIENT. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW BEST APPROACH THIS. ALSO I HAVE HEARD OF USING LYCRA TO SHAPE THE SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURE, CAN U BASICALLY USE ANY MATERIAL THAT WILL HOLD THE RESIN TILL IT HARDENS. COULD I USE ANY MATERIAL LIKE A TSHIRT OR DOES IT NEED TO BE FLEECE OR LYCRA.

IF YOU COULD GIVE ME SOME STEPS TO COMPLETE THIS IS WOULD BE GREAT

[AudioHead]

yeah sure I'll write some stuff up in a couple days. But the material needs to actually soak up the resin.

[mightytexn]

Originally posted by xxdcmast
IM THINKING OF DOING A TIRE WELL SUB ENCLOSURE, I HAVE READ A FEW THINGS ONLINE REGARDING THIS AND IT SEEMS LIKE I SHOULD BE ABLE TO DO IT IF IM PATIENT. DO YOU HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS AS TO HOW BEST APPROACH THIS. ALSO I HAVE HEARD OF USING LYCRA TO SHAPE THE SUBWOOFER ENCLOSURE, CAN U BASICALLY USE ANY MATERIAL THAT WILL HOLD THE RESIN TILL IT HARDENS. COULD I USE ANY MATERIAL LIKE A TSHIRT OR DOES IT NEED TO BE FLEECE OR LYCRA.

IF YOU COULD GIVE ME SOME STEPS TO COMPLETE THIS IS WOULD BE GREAT

http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/7165/how_to_1.htm

that is a page that has a very simplified explanation of how to do it.....I had a better one but its not online anymore, or at least not at the same address

[Civic Rush]

well first what you have to do is to make the skeleton. When I had 6 12's in my wagon I made the skeleton. which was the outside of the box and also how the subs were gonna sit. then you have to lay down the mat. staple it so that it is tight. Then what you have to do is start laying down the resin. I put 5 coats on my. I let each coat sit for about a day. you really don't have to let it sit that long but Better Safe Than Sorry. after that was done. I went a gont some kitty hair(Short stain fiberglass) and packed that under neath the mat. That made it rock solid and also prevented flex in the box. I also put that all around the bottom of the box to prevent air leaks. After that use bondo to smooth the top of the fiberglass and sand it untill it is all even. You should not need much bondo. just a light layer. then tape off the rest of the car and paint it.

[AudioHead]

yeah that works. There are many variations to it also. like using masking tape instead of aluminum foil so it doesn't slide and has a bit better conture to your well. main three thing you need to keep an eye on. 1) don't mix it too hot or the resin will pop and crack and in some cases start your box on fire (if this happens let it burn, real hard to stop a resin fire and start over) 2) make sure there are no air bubbles in between layers, these will develope cracks eventually. 3)Make sure that the Mat/fleece is really soaked with the stuff. don't be affraid to use a lot of it, I used about 1 3/4 gallons of the stuff for my box. one last thing is that if your doing multiple woofers and you have enough air space dividing the chambers is a good idea especialy if the type of woofer likes to "work alone"

[xxdcmast]

IS IT REASONABLE THAT MYSELF WHO HAS NO FIBERGLASS EXPERIENCE CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS PROJECT WITHOUT CAUSING SERIOUS HARMN TO MYSELF OR MY CAR AND HAVING THE FINISHED PRODUCT COME OUT DECENTLY GOOD OR SHOULD I GO FOR AN MDF BOX

[Civic Rush]

Originally posted by xxdcmast
IS IT REASONABLE THAT MYSELF WHO HAS NO FIBERGLASS EXPERIENCE CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS PROJECT WITHOUT CAUSING SERIOUS HARMN TO MYSELF OR MY CAR AND HAVING THE FINISHED PRODUCT COME OUT DECENTLY GOOD OR SHOULD I GO FOR AN MDF BOX

yes you can do it yourself.....but you just have to remember a few things. the skeleton of the the box itself is made out of MDF. but you need to be very patient. and have alot of paint brushes cause once you put the brush into the resin then when it hardens the brush is no longer good. And take your time making the box plans themselfs. You do have to take in to concideration that subs do require air space. If you want it to sound good and to perform like it is supposed to. Plan everything out to the T.

[AudioHead]

unless you glass your arm to the box or inhale to many fumes (Nice high BTW ) you can't hurt yourself

[Civic Rush]

Originally posted by AudioHead
unless you glass your arm to the box or inhale to many fumes (Nice high BTW ) you can't hurt yourself

LOL,

[mightytexn]

Originally posted by AudioHead
7-8 is a bit over kill unless your running that new Kicker l7 18. around four to five is about right. just make sure you use the Mat and not the cloth. also fleece works real well.

I gonna have 2 Infiniti Kappa 100.3se 10" subs powered by a Jensen 375 watt amp.....each sub is gonna be in its own sealed box so if I go with 5 layers of mat I should be good? And where is the cheapest place to buy all the fiberglass stuff?