MDF bonding to fiberglass?

[Troydb 10+ year member]

I am considering building a box for a Dodge Ram pick up. It is a regular cab and the box would probably need to have a fiberglass the back on the box (maybe more) but I can MDF the front and sides. My question is: how well does the resin + glass mat bond to the MDF? Can I just glue it right to the MDF and it be solid?

Thank for your help!

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[jdc753 10+ year member]

I asked a few similar questions here http://www.caraudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271910 I may be building a similar style box for my F-350 with a Fiberglass back wall and partial floor and then front, sides, back and partial bottom being MDF.

Short answer, just resin right up to the MDF and the MDF will soak in the resin and will bond pretty well no special glue or anything needed.

 

[bdawson72 5,000+ posts]

I was going to type a long reply.

But its basically what the guy above me said.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

Glueing the mat to the wood is okay.

What I could do is try to make a flexible frame though so you will have something sturdy to attach the glass to.

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

I usually use staples to get it to hold while glassing

 

[bdawson72 5,000+ posts]

I usually use staples to get it to hold while glassing

really

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

yea, helps it to hold while the resin is still wet

 

[jdc753 10+ year member]

Staples sound like a good idea. One thing I am curious about is when making the transition from Fiberglass to MDF do you guys just mat/resin on the top side of the MDF (inside of box) or would you mat/resin both sides almost sandwiching the MDF between layers of fiberglass on both sides (inside/outside of the box) ?

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

strength wise interior will be plenty strong ( as long as you lay the mat properly ) It may be more pleasing aesthetically both ways tho

 

[bdawson72 5,000+ posts]

Staples sound like a good idea. One thing I am curious about is when making the transition from Fiberglass to MDF do you guys just mat/resin on the top side of the MDF (inside of box) or would you mat/resin both sides almost sandwiching the MDF between layers of fiberglass on both sides (inside/outside of the box) ?

I, myself have never done that one.

I usually just do the inside.

But I'm curious as to what others may do.

 

[audioarsonal 10+ year member]

I like to staple fleece or other material just to hold it to the mdf.And if possible I glass on the inside of the box.Saves a ton of finish work in the end!