scauffiel

Instead of the fiberglass cloth? I'm looking for something more "stretchable/conformable" than that. Something like a spandex - I just wonder (before I go waste money on it) if it'd work. Now I realize for superior strength that the fiberglass cloth may be the best, but when trying to pull that cloth taut (like making your own gauge pods) it kind of pulls apart and makes a helluva mess.

Anyone have any ideas or am I just gonna have to go try it?

Steve

Jims83TA

I think it will work...When I used fiberglass resin along with the fiberglass cloth...and like an idiot didnt use gloves(since I was using a paint brush...lol...stupid mistake)...I has a shell of like plastic on my skin. If that stuff was good enough to pretty much plaster my skin...and make the bristles of the paint brush bristles turn to a rock...then I think that it would work. Of course I dont know from experience...but I think it could work one way or another. Oh yea...and to those who plan on using fiberglass resin and fiberglass cloth..make sure that you definitely use rubber gloves....damn those little strings from the cloth r a pain in the ****.

James

jobryan26

To make Gauge Pods really all you need is a shell that's not very thick. I would use t-shirts. Yep, they are used when building custom kickpods all the time. If it can handle 6.5" speakers with 100+watts then you're going to be ok.

Blue502

I don't know about spandex. Some synthetic materials may react with the resin. I know I've had some rubber gloves literally melt while wearing them when applying fiberglass before.

un4givin89

I touched stevs trans am

Belker

T-shirt material will work OK ... I've used it before. Most people use fleece (sweatshirt material) because it allows you to quicky build up thickness without many layers. After the first layer you can use fiberglass cloth or mat if you need extra strength. If you are doing something like a sub box then thickness is more important that actuall strength so use fleece for all the layers

scauffiel

Sweet, thanks for the replies fellas! I'll give t-shirts a try and if I need to I'll move up to the heavier fleece.

Steve

GndPrx

The biggest key to what material you will get good results from is what the material is made from...

The closer you are to 100% polyester fabric, the better it will bond with the resin....One of the key reasons that fleece is used is because you can get 100% polyester fleece for very cheap and it is very plyable to work with.

Remember you are generally working with polyester resin so stay with a polyester based material.

Hope that points you in the right direction.

Jza

Use pantyhose.. Yes, pantyhose. They stretch and make nice curves between frame points. Once the resin cures in the nylon and the shape is set, you can layer regular cloth or mat right on top of it for strength.

gt auto

Hey go to a fiberglass shop or boat supply shop and ask for some vail This will work the best for you. It will melt into all the tight spots.

scauffiel

Cool, gots all kinds of ideas now - thanks again fellas!

Steve

EDIT: What do you guys use to apply the resin? I just use a paintbrush; "paint" the area to receive the fiberglass, lay down the fabric, and then "paint" on top of the fabric until it's saturated. Is that how y'all do it? Thanx...

Blue502

I normally either paint the resin on or dunk the mat in resin in a shallow tray since I'm usually only fixing damage on my dump truck

I also have a hard rubber roller that I use to make sure that I get any air bubbles out from under the mat and resin. I just pull any resin that gets on the roller off after it hardens.

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

You lucky bastard!!!!
I'll be going to Steves place this week if he's going to be around.
Going to see the bird in real life and look at the Turbos and Intercooler he has.

Oh, I am also going to show off my bird to him as well.

scauffiel

Easy Manny; it ain't all that! I have Fridays off, so I'll be around all day doing some fiberglass work as long as it isn't freezing outside; regardless I'll be around. I'm still looking for compressor maps and stuff for those turbos but I ain't finding much....

Steve

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

Steve,
I'll give you a call friday and see what's up.

orange rocket

Speaker grill cloth is perfect for stretching and getting a exact curve you want. Fleece and a t shirt can't do it. The pantyhose will work to same idea. If it doesn't need to be perfect shape then start with fleece or t shirt. Depending on how thick you want to go you can use fleece, woven mat etc etc etc

GndPrx

The only problem with both grill cloth and panty hose material is that it makes for a very brittle mold to which you have to add enough mat or cloth to build it up in thickness that you could have just finished it in one shot with fleece...

un4givin89

**** , I see his car where he works all the time. Maybe I'll swing by Friday too, I gots to kill some time before I head up north to visit my girl.

Call me 473-3591 if ya feel like harassin me ...

Zepher

iTrader: (1)

I'll give you a call tomorrow. Don't know what I am up to, maybe change the oil since I still have the oil in teh block from doing the cam swap.