I was thinking about putting a 12" sub in the armrest and also an identical 12" glassed into the spare tire well flush with the trunk floor. Anybody think it would sound decent? I have about $800 worth of MB Quart highs & mids to match. Also, I have been looking for a write-up of how to do the fiberglass tire well. I'm relatively new to fiberglass so I need a place to start. Any hints? Possible "how-to" or write up? I've done a ton of searching but all I keep finding is pics and specs of other .ORG member's sound system and not much info on how to make a pod in the wheel well.

 

Rather than one sub in each of those locations I think it would be wiser and look better to have both in either location, or one in each rear fender. The glassing is not extremely difficult. But it is tough to make sure you don't have air bubbles. A few air bubbles seriusly compromise the strength. First thing you have to decide is what type of resin you will use.

http://fiberlay.com
http://fibreglast.com/

 

If you need any help with glass feel free to ask me I work in a boat shop so i know pretty much all there is to know about it same with gel coat. BTW im looking into doing the same thing

 

Well lets say i've emptied my trunk, washed it & wiped it down a lil and let it dry. What would be my first step with the epoxy resin & satin mat? would i need t oput something beteween the fiberglass and the actual trunk floor? Or do i just slap the sh*t right in there?

 

I would do the method of laying down aluminum foil all over the area you plan on laying the glass down. That way it is easier to lift out and then just remove the aluminum foil the best you can, and it is not like anyone is going to see that.

Another method is to lay it down and then use Mold release. But for ease, I would go with the top recommendation.

You need to before doing any of this, lay a frame or some sort where the matting will be attaching it to. You dont want to just glass the well itself, what is it going to be secured to for the top? Putting a small frame down for the top and then glassing it will make it alot easier.

Dixit

 

I do see the armrest working at all. The dash yeah with gobs of work...Trust me I tried that...The best place I thought of is the area where the ECu is under the head unit, or the top of the dash, but then you gotta move and rewire gobs of stuff. I wanted to do mine in the glove box, but the damn impact beam got in the way...But back to the armrest...I don't see that happining...Maybe by cutting out alot of metel you could get 1 10" in each kick area.

 

I would use the foil or wax paper and a layer or more of mold release wax. And definitely fram teh sub. You want a wood frame to which you can attach the baffle. unless you plan to build the whole baffle outo fo glass as well. But it is much simpler to cover wood or other core material with glass than it is to get big smooth pieces out of just glass and resin.

 

I did not go with the mold release wax when I did it cause my father who does this stuff said "why coat that crap on your well?" so I didnt and the enclosure came right out with the foil. Just make sure you tape all the foil pieces up so it cant leak out into the well. Nothing major.

Dixit

 

What kind of resin? Polyester resin and the foil will peel right off. Epoxy will bond to the foil. Sure, you won't see it. But why take a chance on letting something on there that might rattle? Although you will most likely sand it smooth anyway. Sorry I put the mold release on the foil, not on my car.

 

I bought the resin from Homedepot. Dont remember which type of resin it was.

Damn I shoulve thought about putting the mold release on the foil. But most it came right off. The parts that were a bit embedded did not, but I dont care, it wont move. Like a sticker that was attempted to be pealed off.

Dixit

 

Personaly id cote the well with wax. Use two or three coats leaving the last one on ( dont rub it off ) then just lay the glass down but be sure to get all the air bubbles out and if possable put a layer of mat then a layer of woven then finish off with two layers of mat. If you had some cash you could just use stichmat but thats another story. Aluminum foil will work but it will be harder to get all of the air out. Air will weaken the glass so the "tighter" you get it the better. also try to get a steel roller if possable i think they are around 12 bucks or so. and soak the mat well any white spots are weak spots the glass should be totaly translucent when you roll the resin on it. dont be scared to put it on. As for the difference betueen polyester and epoxy thats up to you altough epoxy is usually more expensive and will stick more than the polyester will. if you need anymore info let me know hope this helped a little

 

I would like to do the same thing. Please, a detailed response as to what one need to do to fiberglass the spare tire wheel well would be great. I will post pics when it is done. Please, anyone that can help.

JR

 

http://www.maximacar.com/fiberglas_box_construction.htm

That might help you a bit. I cant remember the definitive one that really lays it out, but this should give you the gist of it and explain how you need to make a frame to mount the top piece to before fiberglassing.

Dixit

 

A friend who put a brahma 15 in his spare well used aluminum tape instead of just aluminum foil. That way it stuck down in teh well really well.

You need to cut a frame out of wood or another structural material. Construct it around the spare well and build it tall enough to get the volume of box you need. Cut a wooden baffle to fit snug with the frame. Take the baffle off and start glassing. Oh yeah, you will need to seal the wood so that the resin will attach properly. I have heard that it can be painted with a polyurethane paint if useing polyester resin. For epoxy resin you need an epoxy sealer. Of course you could use the links I posted originally to get info about all of these products and their uses. The second link even has a discussion forum.

 

Thanks for the post, but I am a little concfused. Do you use the type of fiberglass that you would use to insulat your home from Home Depot and douse it with fiberglass resin? I appreciate all help.

JR

 

No, as I said before, check the links! If people would read before they post we wouldn't have so many worthless posts. They have plenty of pics of glass mat and fabric. There are numerous styles and weights to choose from. I prefer a satin weave because it is strong and wets-out easilly. Many use glass mat to build up thickness quickly. But most mat's are not compatable with epoxy resin. I use two or three different fabric styles and materials along with a core.

 

YOUR post was absolutely worthless buddy!

Anyone who can help me? I would appreciate any help on when product to buy. Is regular insulating fiberglass from Home Depot good enough? If not, what can I use? any instructions anyone can provide would be great as well.

JR

 

What thickness of glass is equivalent to say 3/4" MDF? I've been thinking about using some in a custom enclosure, but I am concerned with the strength. Any help is appreciated.

 

Like I said, try the links. The post is only worthless if you are immune to advice you fricken' nimbrod!

 

Uhhhh, read above and try the links!

 

I have only seen tests done to compare glass to other composite choices like kevlar, carbon, or various glass fabrics. It can be very thin and stiffer than MDF. Probably 1/4 inch or less would be comparable to 1 inch thick MDF's stiffness if there are no air bubbles in the layers. But the quality of the layup significantly affects the strength and weight. MDF is only slightly stiffer than cardboard. Fiberglass is some magnitudes stiffer, or better MOE, modulous of elasticity. I don't have a degree in MSE and don't have any formula's available to calculate theoretical MOE's for various thicknesses. I recommend getting some resin and fabric and "playing around with it" to get a feel for how it works and it's strengths/weaknesses. Polyester resin like bondo is fairly cheap and readilly available at Home Depot, Wal-Mart and any auto parts store.

I strongly suggest using the links I provided for the facts about composites. Use the questions / answers sections or the forum on fibreglast.com.

 

There is no need for that! I wish you were in NYC because I would show you how this nice POST in my neighborhood would connect with your head!

 

Yo' motha' couldn't handle the truth about your idiocy! Yeah man, you hear that? You don't scare me punk. Read the posts before yours and the answers to your questions. They are complete and accurate. If you can't understand them then post an intelligent response. I won't be polite like some customer service rep at an audio store. I don't have to because I am not selling anything. You'll just have to deal with it. Besides, I am allowed to sit around and drink beer the whole time I am on my computer because I am at home, not at work.

And I could be in NYC in a matter of hours, I do own a maixma afterall - lol.

 

No need for that! Come to NYC and I will shove that beer in every hole in your body!

 

Personal threats are NOT welcome on these forums. That is grounds for an immediate, permanent ban from these forums.

And as jmax has said SEVERAL times, READ THE LINKS ABOVE. spend a little time studying the information he handed you BEFORE asking questions. you would have easily answered your own questions simply by clicking the links that were posted earlier.

Your threatening and insulting posts are not welcome here, especially in forums that I moderate. consider this your one and only warning. Threaten another member and you will be permanently banned.