Using Vinyl? Can you give me tips?

[Ken448]

I am trying to figure out how to cover my box and make it blend to my interior as close as possible. Since this is a Std Cab s10 and a truck that is showed often, it will need to look GOOD. I have tried to find carpet to match, but that search is not going well. I can walk into the local fabric store and walk out in 10 minutes with a near perfect match vinyl for only $10..

Question is.. What do I use for the best application. This is not a complex box at all, just a simple wedge. Is there a way to hide the seams??

Heres the box to be covered:


Any help is appreciated!!!

[nate2587]

[nate2587]

vinyl is hard to work with

[Ken448]

dont care if it is hard to work with. I have LOTS of time to get it right. Looking for tips!!!!

[85Caprice4d]

std

[zierbox]

It all starts with the design (I’m not bashing you; just explaining)
You need to know the type of finish-out before you start to build
Different type of covering require different assembly techniques
The two areas on your box; going to be difficult is the sides and the center amp rack
Also vinyl will show most imperfections underneath such as all you uneven joints; you will need to sand out all the edges and\or waves, bumps even the screw holes can show
You will need to build some type of end caps (to cover separately and a trim ring around the amplifier; next trick is to mount them to the box)
Will this get you going or go back o carpet (carpet way easier)
Find a local automotive upholstery shop; they can get you some matching carpet (no backing on the carpet)

[hempy]

You can actually do it with that box if you can manage to get a drill inside the box to screw on another panel from the inside.

Basically, all you need to do is make a panel that fits in the face of the box, with cutouts for your amp and subs. Rounding everything over would be best. You can use a long strip to do the sides/top, then cover up everything with the wrapped front panel.

Wrapping itself is pretty simple, and is dependent on the quality of you fabric. 2-way vinyl is good (stretches up/down), while 4-way is more expensive and harder to find.

The process is pretty simple though. No glue, only staples. Start on one side and put a few in the middle of that side, then stretch across to the opposite side, and put the same number of staples in. Do the same on the other sides, and work you way to the corners. Only go out a few staples at a time.

The cutouts will probably be the hardest part to make look good. Round inside cuts are easier to stretch around than square (Which means you'd need a round (or rounded) cutout for your amp.

If you can't really understand what I'm trying to say, you can look in my photobucket. I used this process on my box and it turned out pretty good.

[Ken448]

Thanks.. All joints are already sanded. Screw holes will be filled with puddy. Essentially, if I DO go vinyl, I will be covering a near perfect surface. I am well aware it is no where near as easy as carpet, but hey.. Sometimes you just need to do a little extra work to get the results you want I am willing to take the time to do it right. As for the sides. 90% of them will not be showing so if I have a seam there, it will not matter. The critical area's of the box are only the top and face. Deciding how to do around the amp will be the challenge, I think.

[fo0manchu]

Okay, heres what i do. Of course take out your amp and subs. If you dont want to putty over all the screw holes you can buy a thin cotton/poly fabric to lay over the box first and then vinyl over. Sand down the edges of the box a bit so theres no sharp edges that will stick out. Spray glue and stretch from one side to the other. Stretch and push down where the amp is and make a cut in the middle to relieve the stress. Since the amp will be sitting in the middle you wont be able to see the blank spot anyways. Stretch it around the corners. I like to staple it first to one side that way you can get a good stretch over everything without it shifting. Cut the remainder off with a razor and your good to go. good luck!

[miker]

std

Don't see you around much anymore.

[krouchchocolate]

good luck on the job man!

[galacticmonkey]

Vinyl is hard to work with. I had a buddy wrap all my trim pannels in vinyl since he is awesome at it and I **** at it. He did a great job though.. Looked awesome.

Just make sure you heat it up, and use some nice adhesive.

[ngsm13]

Sand it smooth.

Use 3M Super77 glue, spray onto both surfaces at a distant and let it sit to get tacky.

You should be able to cover the entire surface, but it might ripple. So what I would do is make side panels. Wrap the front face to the back... trim close to the sides and staple. Then wrap the side panels separately, and silicone them on.

nG

[ngsm13]

As seen in this thread.

http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=236107

nG

[mdillon]

3m 77 ftw

theres a type of hard foam that i used to cover a box before vinyl. not sure on the exact name. it was 1/4" thick. you need to bend it around hard corners as you glue it so the vinyl flows smoothly over corners and wont crease or wrinkle. or you can sew piping into the corners for a more professional look.