Fiberglass material list suggestions

[emu1342]

I will be building 2 fiberglass enclosures sometime soon and getting my materials in line. As you can see, most of these items are from Amazon because I am not sure where to source most the things.

I would like to know if what I have here would be enough for the job. If the quality of these products are to par. If I should change anything up and if you guys have any tips for me. I also included my reference instructions.

I'm really excited to get this done because I'm a big DIY guy, and this is new and interesting to me.

If I'm missing any information, let me know and I'll update it here.

Here's the list:

Instructions:


How to Make a Fiberglass Subwoofer Box

Woofer Rings:

Subwoofer Enclosure 12" Sub Spacer 3/4" Trim Ring - RING-1X12

Masking Tape:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/PG505-36SL-1-41-Inch-60-Yard-Professional-Masking/dp/B007ZUF468/ref=sr_1_14?ie=UTF8&qid=1451411276&sr=8-14&keywords=tape+masking]Amazon.com: PG505-36SL 1.41-Inch by 60-Yard Professional Grade Masking Tape, Natural, 6-Pack: Home Improvement[/ame]

Respirator:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/3M-62023HA1-A-Professional-Multi-purpose-Respirator/dp/B002NMICB2/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451411506&sr=8-3&keywords=respirator]3M Professional Multi-purpose Respirator - Papr Safety Respirators - Amazon.com[/ame]

Brushes:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Capri-Tools-00308-Varnish-Handles/dp/B000PQTYTC/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1451413591&sr=8-4&keywords=paint+brush]Amazon.com: Capri Tools 00308 Brush Paint Stain Varnish Set with Wood Handles, 5-Piece: Home Improvement[/ame]

Fiberglass:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Yards-Fiberglass-Chopped-Strand-inches/dp/B00RDGJ000/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451413656&sr=8-2&keywords=fiberglass]Amazon.com: 10 Yards Fiberglass Chopped Strand Mat 1.5 OZ x 50 inches - Boat- Marine - Resin: Industrial & Scientific[/ame]

Resin:

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/3M-Solutions-All-Purpose-Fiberglass-1-Gallon/dp/B003ODJ8JE/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1451413766&sr=8-3&keywords=fiberglass+resin]Amazon.com: 3M Bondo Home Solutions All-Purpose Fiberglass Resin, 1-Gallon: Home Improvement[/ame]

or

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Polyester-Boatyard-Fiberglass-Non-Specified-Gallon/dp/B006VY7ZY8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1451413821&sr=8-2&keywords=fiberglass+resin]Amazon.com: Polyester Resin Kit, Boatyard for Fiberglass, Non-Specified Blend, 1 Gallon with 2 oz MEKP: Industrial & Scientific[/ame]

Thanks again guys.

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[Ridinhi 5,000+ posts]

If you have any salvage stores in your area you may want to try there first for better prices. I have one local and I got a gallon jug for about $13. Packs of hardener where like $3/pack with 4-5 tubes per pack.

Also, gradually ad your hardener to the resin. My frist couple of tries, i added too much and it hardened up on me soo fast, i wasted a good amount.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Lots and lots of gloves will be needed.

I bought my resin in bulk. I've still got an un-opened 5 gallon bucket sitting in my basement, lol

 

[big scott]

also look for chip brushes.

i get mine from harbor freight .

there like 5 for 25 or 30 .

i get my resin and glass from home depot. not the best but it works for everything i have ever made.

but harbor freight also has it.

 

[emu1342]

If you have any salvage stores in your area you may want to try there first for better prices. I have one local and I got a gallon jug for about $13. Packs of hardener where like $3/pack with 4-5 tubes per pack. Also, gradually ad your hardener to the resin. My frist couple of tries, i added too much and it hardened up on me soo fast, i wasted a good amount.

Thanks for that. I'm not sure which kind of salvage stores I would go to. But I'll see what I can dig up.

I would also be pretty well of reading the instructions, right? They probably have some sort of ratio; I would guess?

 

---------- Post added at 01:12 AM ---------- Previous post was at 01:11 AM ----------

 

also look for chip brushes.i get mine from harbor freight .

there like 5 for 25 or 30 .

i get my resin and glass from home depot. not the best but it works for everything i have ever made.

but harbor freight also has it.

Would the brushes I have not work well for what I'm doing? Or would I just not have enough. (Assuming they're worthless after I'm done painting with them)

 

[big scott]

you can use any brush.

but for fiberglassing you need a lot.

so find cheap chip brushes and a lot.

the ones you linked are what 5 and for what $5-6 .. its not worth it.

there a 1 time use. you use one, you throw it out and get another.

 

[big scott]

theses are what i use.

36 Piece 1 in. Industrial Grade Chip Brushes

for 2"

http://www.harborfreight.com/36-Piece-2-in-Industrial-Grade-Chip-Brushes-61493.html

 

[emu1342]

Thank you big scott. One step closer to getting this build done. Should I just go for the 2 inch or both? Any other advice would be welcome.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

Yeah, I haven't found a good way to clean and re-use brushes after they get resin on them. I try to do everything at once, so I don't use a ton of brushes. The resin I have is very forgiving after you mix the hardener.

I tried washing a brush and re-using it later, but I wasn't able to get all the resin off and it became worthless.

Anyone got a brush-cleaning method that works to remove resin?

 

[big scott]

nope, there is none.

thats why you need a box of them.

there a 1 time use.

i use the 1" brush.

 

[los33 10+ year member]

Yeah, I haven't found a good way to clean and re-use brushes after they get resin on them. I try to do everything at once, so I don't use a ton of brushes. The resin I have is very forgiving after you mix the hardener.
I tried washing a brush and re-using it later, but I wasn't able to get all the resin off and it became worthless.

Anyone got a brush-cleaning method that works to remove resin?

nope, there is none.thats why you need a box of them.

there a 1 time use.

i use the 1" brush.

While the brush is still soft and wet, put it in a cup full of thinner and let it sit for a couple of hours and it will still harden a bit, but is still usable for 1-2 more times.

Laquerthinner works best.

As far as resin and glass products can all be bought at auto parts stores. Brushes can be had cheap at lowes, home depot, menards.

If you want top quality resin then it has to be ordered at actual glassing companies and not ebay/amazon.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

 

[hispls 5,000+ posts]

Yeah, I haven't found a good way to clean and re-use brushes after they get resin on them. I try to do everything at once, so I don't use a ton of brushes. The resin I have is very forgiving after you mix the hardener.
I tried washing a brush and re-using it later, but I wasn't able to get all the resin off and it became worthless.

Anyone got a brush-cleaning method that works to remove resin?

If you can get it submerged in acetone before it begins to harden while you're mixing your next batch you can use the same brush a couple few times. Pretty much anything more than 1 batch per brush is a bonus IMO.

While the brush is still soft and wet, put it in a cup full of thinner and let it sit for a couple of hours and it will still harden a bit, but is still usable for 1-2 more times.
Laquerthinner works best.

As far as resin and glass products can all be bought at auto parts stores. Brushes can be had cheap at lowes, home depot, menards.

If you want top quality resin then it has to be ordered at actual glassing companies and not ebay/amazon.

Sent from my Z970 using Tapatalk

Very much all this ^^^ except I like acetone, but I've never tried lacquer thinner, that's pretty potent stuff so I'd have high hopes though.

Many years ago I bought from a boat supply yard in Crystal River. Surely there's a hundred boatyards in FL that sell resin and mat cheap. The place I went to pumped it right from a 55 gallon drum and had huge rolls of mat.

You won't get far with just 1 gallon trying to build a box.

More recently I order supplies from US Composites. If you call them up and tell them what you're trying to do they can be very helpful finding the best and most cost effective product for your projects.

 

[adulbrich 5,000+ posts]

If you can get it submerged in acetone before it begins to harden while you're mixing your next batch you can use the same brush a couple few times. Pretty much anything more than 1 batch per brush is a bonus IMO.


Very much all this ^^^ except I like acetone, but I've never tried lacquer thinner, that's pretty potent stuff so I'd have high hopes though.

Many years ago I bought from a boat supply yard in Crystal River. Surely there's a hundred boatyards in FL that sell resin and mat cheap. The place I went to pumped it right from a 55 gallon drum and had huge rolls of mat.

You won't get far with just 1 gallon trying to build a box.

More recently I order supplies from US Composites. If you call them up and tell them what you're trying to do they can be very helpful finding the best and most cost effective product for your projects.

Ok, cool.

Yeah, I ordered 10 gallons from US Composites. Shipping costs almost as much as the resin because it's hazardous, but it's still cheaper than buying it in smaller quantities from a store

 

[emu1342]

I'm thinking I'll only need or so gallons. Maybe I'll get some pictures and conceptualize what I'll be making.

Will fiberglass be able to hold up an amp that is screwed in?

 

[los33 10+ year member]

I'm thinking I'll only need or so gallons. Maybe I'll get some pictures and conceptualize what I'll be making.
Will fiberglass be able to hold up an amp that is screwed in?

Fiber glass is stronger then wood. If glass is added as a supporter for lets say a piece of 1/2in wood then at times can be as strong as steel. So to say... Not indestructible.

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