Fiberglassing questions

[Bubsman]

Well, ive finally realized that i want to make my own subwoofer box for my del sol, and i intend to use fiberglass. After reading this web site many times (http://web.njit.edu/~cas1383/proj/main/index.htm), i think that i may be ready, so tomorrow im going out to buy some materials. My question is exactly what i should be looking for when i pick the resin and the fiberglass itsself, such as size type etc. also, some tips from someone with experience would be very helpful. THanks a lot!

[notyouraveragegirl]

Originally Posted by Bubsman

Well, ive finally realized that i want to make my own subwoofer box for my del sol, and i intend to use fiberglass. After reading this web site many times (http://web.njit.edu/~cas1383/proj/main/index.htm), i think that i may be ready, so tomorrow im going out to buy some materials. My question is exactly what i should be looking for when i pick the resin and the fiberglass itsself, such as size type etc. also, some tips from someone with experience would be very helpful. THanks a lot!

1. great tutorial - we used the same one and like to keep it in a binder w/ proteceted pages for quick reference

2. you can NEVER be too well ventilated - make sure sure you have a good respirator or, at the very least, a very well made mask like he shows on his site... work outside if you can - fiberglass is extremely carcenogenic and WILL mess with you if you're not careful

3. i notice your profile says you're in maine - i don't know when you plan to do this, but fiberglass sets best when the relative humidity is at a minimum and your air temp is around 75 - 80 (Bondo's fiberglass gives instructions for 70, i've just discovered through experience that a little warmer is a little better)... if it gets any colder, be prepared to use more hardener and to wait longer for your stuff to dry. just keep in mind if you use TOO much hardener, you'll never enough time to do really anything with your fiberglass surface. In the same right, too much humidity also messes with the chemistry and prevents accurate drying... if you're doing this in a garage during the cold season - work with a heater and keep the door cracked with a fan or something to help suck the fumes out

4. TAKE YOUR TIME (of course) and have everything planned out before you get started - once that hardner hits that cathair or resin or whatever you're using -- your clock is ticking and you need to work efficiently to get each part done before stuff gets too tough to work with --

5. as much care as you take with preparing and working the fiberglass -- TAKE JUST AS MUCH TIME TO LET THINGS DRY PROPERLY - don't rush your work or settle for tacky surfaces

This takes time and care, but doing your own fiberglassing is definitely worth it - good bonding for you and your car

hope this helps you out and good luck

[west nile]

you will need pretty much everything chris says on his tutorial, go to a marine store for your resin (polyester) probably can get a gallon for 16 bucks. Go to a fiberglass store for your fiberglass use like 1.5 oz fiberglass matt, just search for these stores in your phone book.

and one piece of advice load that fiberglass up with resin, this will ensure you have less airbubles, and dab out any air bubles you incure they will weaken the structure. And tear your fiberglass matt squares 2"x2" tearing will form easier to your corners rather than cutting with scissors.

[E Honda]

Originally Posted by west nile

you will need pretty much everything chris says on his tutorial, go to a marine store for your resin (polyester) probably can get a gallon for 16 bucks. Go to a fiberglass store for your fiberglass use like 1.5 oz fiberglass matt, just search for these stores in your phone book.

and one piece of advice load that fiberglass up with resin, this will ensure you have less airbubles, and dab out any air bubles you incure they will weaken the structure. And tear your fiberglass matt squares 2"x2" tearing will form easier to your corners rather than cutting with scissors.

Tear the fiberglass?..........You wont tear it by hand.....Explain please.

[millaj92]

You can tear it by hand, if you have matting. If you have fiberglass cloth, then no, you won't tear it. But, you won't need that unless you're repairing a boat. Personally, I cut my mat because it's quicker to me. I usually open the package and cut it in half 5 times and use those pieces that end up about 7 inches by 4 inches. The torn pieces will help you get in the corners better, but I try not to get many hard corners when I design the thing. Now you must realize that your resin/mat mix will vary greatly from the fiberglass structures you've seen such as cars or boats. They are made with compression molds that are able to utilize less resin with higher tensile strength because of it. Your homemade shit is going to be full of resin, heavy as fuck, and ugly as hell. At least until you get good. The weather thing's right though, don't even attempt it unless you can work in a warm area. As far as ventilation and masks...don't be a wuss. If you wanted to live a long healthy life, you wouldn't enjoy really loud music. Leave something cracked so you're not working in a sealed area, but it's not that big of a deal. If you get high, vent some more. As far as how much harderner to put in your resin, you're just going to have to experiment with that. The more hardener you put, the quicker it dries which means you'll have to work faster which means it won't be as pretty and you'll go through more brushes and the end result will be "harder" but more fragile. Not enough harderner gives you more time to work with each batch, but then you have to wait longer in between batches for it to dry. The end result will be a little tacky and slightly flexible. Anyway, that's enough for now. If you need more info just ask.

[west nile]

Originally Posted by E Honda

Tear the fiberglass?..........You wont tear it by hand.....Explain please.

yeah tear, just my method that has been passed down to me by fiberglass masters, now you try it and tell me it doesn't conform better to corners than cutting your squares.

[the1much]

your in maine man,,,go down to south portland to the boat marina,,ask to talk to a fiberglasser,,they usually jus give ya some soda jugs,,or water jugs lol,, of what ya need and they'll talk ya through it,,,is simple when them old mainers explain it lmao

['97ventureowner]

This thread is over 2 years old. Do not bring up old threads.
Thread closed.