Page 1 of 4 123 ... LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 37

Thread: Fiberglassing Advice

  1. Back To Top    #1
    A Refined Basshead blockrocker's Avatar
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    Vehicle
    2018 Nissan Frontier
    Posts
    623
    Join Date
    Nov 2019

    Fiberglassing Advice

    Hello fellow junkies!
    I have decided to go down the custom a-pillar road and am thinking about fiberglassing my mids and tweets into the pillars. I haven't done any work with fiberglass before, so I was hoping for some advice on avoiding the rookie mistakes or poor techniques that will leave me less than satisfied. I've been watching videos and trying to collect tips along the way. So I am looking for some shared experiences from those who have done this before.

    I have bought an "extra" set of pillars, so I don't destroy my factory originals. My plan is to make baffle rings and hot glue them to the pillars and ensure they are aimed where I want them to be. Then stretching, gluing and stapling fabric over them and add an initial coat of fiberglass resin. Followed by the usual steps of fiberglass, then body filler/bondo to shape and smooth. Also some kind of "milkshake" on the inside.

    I know to sand the pillars first to ensure adhesion, also cleaning and keeping them dust free during the process. I know about sanding/shaping during the body fillers green stage, rather then letting it cure all the way, and attempting to sand. I know about drilling holes around the fabric to allow the resin to plug and bond "mechanically" to the pillars.

    Essentially I know what Mark @ CAF and Peter @ PS Sound has shown me, but I am sure there are many more tricks to be taught. So I am hoping that you folks can help me ensure I have taken all the necessary steps to produce a great finished product. What do I need to be extra careful with? How much/thick do I build the fiberglass? Are there some materials to avoid? How do I ensure they last a long time without cracking or breaking etc.? Also, paint or wrap?

    Any advice from those who have walked the walk would be greatly appreciated! I fully plan to take lots of pics and do a build log with this project. Right now I am just trying to psych myself into it and come up with a solid game plan. Thanks!!

  2. Back To Top    #2
    Owner BigAl205's Avatar
    Real Name
    Alan
    Location
    Hayden, AL
    Vehicle
    2018 Chevy Silverado Z-71
    Posts
    5,699
    Join Date
    Feb 2013

    Re: Fiberglassing Advice

    I've only done FG a couple of times, but my suggestion would be to practice on some sacrificial piece to get a feel for it. Also make sure to stir your resin until your arm falls off, then switch hands and mix some more. I can tell you it sucks when one part cures in no time flat, but another part stays gummy for weeks.

  3. Back To Top    #3
    Noob phroenips's Avatar
    Real Name
    Scott
    Location
    Denver metro, CO
    Vehicle
    2005 Toyota 4Runner; 2019 Porsche Cayman GTS
    Posts
    53
    Join Date
    Oct 2019

    Re: Fiberglassing Advice

    Get a good quality resin. Hint: Home Depot and Lowes don't carry good quality brands.

    I've used the stuff from them before, and compared to the stuff I used from US Composites, the latter is a delight to work with. http://www.uscomposites.com

  4. Back To Top    #4
    A Refined Basshead blockrocker's Avatar
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    Vehicle
    2018 Nissan Frontier
    Posts
    623
    Join Date
    Nov 2019

    Re: Fiberglassing Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by phroenips View Post
    Get a good quality resin
    Thanks for the advice. I was planning on using bondo brand resin. I've heard good things.

  5. Back To Top    #5
    Dickhead SublimeZ's Avatar
    Real Name
    James
    Location
    Deepinthehearta, TX
    Vehicle
    2016 Ram Lonestar
    Posts
    2,102
    Join Date
    Feb 2013

    Re: Fiberglassing Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by phroenips View Post
    Get a good quality resin. Hint: Home Depot and Lowes don't carry good quality brands.

    I've used the stuff from them before, and compared to the stuff I used from US Composites, the latter is a delight to work with. http://www.uscomposites.com

    I've only done one fg project. Started with US Composites, ended with bondo because I didn't order enough. US Composites was MUCH easier to work with.


  6. Back To Top    #6

    Re: Fiberglassing Advice

    Quote Originally Posted by blockrocker View Post
    Thanks for the advice. I was planning on using bondo brand resin. I've heard good things.
    Don't. US Composites. I thought Bondo was fine. It worked for what I did. Then I used US Composites. No comparison. I can't believe I even used Bondo before. US Composites is actually cheaper too.

    Rage Gold filler

  7. Back To Top    #7
    Wave Shepherd - aka Jazzi Justin Zazzi's Avatar
    Location
    Northridge, CA
    Posts
    670
    Join Date
    Aug 2018

    Re: Fiberglassing Advice

    I've also used US composites for my first project and it was fantastic to work with. I used chop strand mat for first layer or two and getting a shape, then I used one of their thicker woven mats for getting thickness/strength.

    Sounds like you know about a lot of the tricks already. When I was learning how to fiberglass I was surprised how messy it was (or how messy I was). Buy tons of gloves and chip brushes since they aren't reusable after the resin cures. A plastic mixing cup can be re-used if you let the resin cure then pop it out of the bottom like a solid hockey puck. I was also surprised how important it is to get the activator/resin ratio correct for your climate and the amount of working time you desire. I started with the recommended ratio and adjusted a few times. Also, work outside, those fumes are crazy strong. Try not to go cheap on a facemask if you do any cutting/trimming of the glass after the resin dries. I bought a good one that also kills the chemical odor and it was brilliant.

    I'm not sure how warm it is up in the great white north, but you might struggle getting the resin to cure like I did in the (mild) winter down here. I tried mixing extra activator with the resin hoping the chemical reaction would happen faster but that was really hard to control. I had better results with a pair of big heat lamps at a reasonable distance from the work, but not too close otherwise people warned the part would cure too fast and warp the shape (very true!).

    The one thing that slays me with fiberglass is the prep work and what you do before the resin dries seems to dictate how much work you do after. If you plan well and forsee all the challenges of body filler and wrapping in vinyl and so on, then you can do the fiberglass work in a way that makes all the following steps really easy. I never figured out how to do that.

    Certainly try making *something* before you work on your pillars. I found fiberglass to be unforgiving for mistakes and learning opportunities.
    Measure with mics, mark with chalk, cut with torch, grind to fit, sand to finish, paint to match.
    Updated Justin tuning sheet (Justin and Erica tuning companion for SMAART and REW)
    Do it for them.

  8. Back To Top    #8

    Re: Fiberglassing Advice

    You could also look for Solarez UV curing fiberglass, which doesn’t use temperature to cure but uses UV rays from the sun. You’ll need to work with it some without the sun (indoors) and then move it out into the sun for curing.

  9. Back To Top    #9
    A Refined Basshead blockrocker's Avatar
    Location
    Calgary, Alberta
    Vehicle
    2018 Nissan Frontier
    Posts
    623
    Join Date
    Nov 2019

    Re: Fiberglassing Advice

    Thank you folks for the continued advice. This is really helpful stuff. I will certainly stay away from Bondo and find some us composites instead, excellent advice!

    I appreciate the detailed response Justin. I'm certainly going to make a practice project first, to try to get a feel for what I'm getting myself into. It seems that I am going to have to pick a good weekend to give this a try, as the temperature is all over the map at the moment (9 degrees C today and sunny, -11 degrees tomorrow with several cm of snow). Preparation, anticipation and following the resin instructions closely seem to be the best things I can do for myself and I already have a great mask with cartridge filters and rubber gloves. Plus I plan to do this in the garage with the door up, on a nice day.

    Rage Gold filler is also good to know!

    A few follow up questions, if you guys don't mind. How thick should I build the walls? How strong is needed? Does the milkshake add any strength? Or is it just to seal and deaden?

    The plan is to install gb10 & gb25 speakers into the pillars.

  10. Back To Top    #10
    Dickhead SublimeZ's Avatar
    Real Name
    James
    Location
    Deepinthehearta, TX
    Vehicle
    2016 Ram Lonestar
    Posts
    2,102
    Join Date
    Feb 2013

    Re: Fiberglassing Advice

    thickness depends on the application. For a pillars, 5-6 layers should be close. Needs to "feel" solid. (you will have a better understanding after first couple of layers)


Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Back To Top