How many layers of fiberglass are needed for a subwoofer box? – Fabrication Friday

A question I receive often is “How many layers of fiberglass do I need for a fiberglass subwoofer box, door pod, a pillar, etc.” Unfortunately there is not a simple answer, but in this first Fabrication Friday video I discuss how we determine what is needed. Using fiberglass to make a custom car audio install can really allow you to make a beautiful build, with the proper understanding of fiberglass and how it is used in a custom car build we can use it to our advantage.

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Car Audio Fabrication – Master Car Audio – Design, Build, Install

[KeleFPV]

Took me twenty years to "just try" building a fiberglass box. Learned a ton, gained some experience and now I have a fiberglass box.

[ScuzzySera]

I made a curved box about 15 years ago, that thing has been rock solid since, amazing how much strength there is in the process.

[ndshiftaudio]

Mark, great video man. I hope you don't mind me adding a few things. I do lots of fiberglass projects. Sometimes massive builds with lots and lots of power and sometimes 70 and 80 lbs subs. In fiberglass enclosures. I got some coming up soon but video's yet on them. Anyway, I use 3.5 oz matting where ever I can and 1.5 in those hard to get to areas as you said. A few other things. You need to try to do all layers at one time. Don't wait for a layer to harden before you do the second and so on. Also I use 1/4" steel laminated in the layers where you use wooden dowels. This makes the box bullet proof. I just cut the steel into squares and stick them with hot glue as you do the wood dowels. Same method just bigger scale. Just thought your viewers might want to try that. Again not trying to steal your thunder. Just wanted to help.

[ANDYSOUND]

Great video Mark! Thks for saying hello, listening and offering some feedback yesterday @ SEMA; I truly appreciated it.Your advice about keeping the laminated layers of fiberglass in place until they're cured is spot on! This is critical, and it's important to remember that dry isn't quite the same as cured... The latter takes longer and varies according to ambient temperature (the hotter the faster), so it does help getting a heating infrared light bulb and fixture to heat the fiberglass laminate, being careful to monitor its temperature and not pointing the light to plastic trim in the car... Keep the great videos coming up man!

[ptstrong]

fan Friday I love it. I hope you can continue to do this. I can fiberglass I'm not illiterate on the matter, but I couldn't make a living doing it, so this video really helped me. most of the stuff I knew, but adding the dowels as a molded in thing is a really cool trick. thanks. keep the the fab Friday up cause I love it.

[isalevy]

I’ve done mine fitting into boot of X1. I started with 150G to get into the corners and finished off with 300G weave. Definitely recommend the ridges added using dowels or spare pieces of timber.

[deedubz]

Your videos have been my go to when i get down time. Im always learning new tricks each video i watch. Really a good job and great info.

[nicco]

Thanks for the videos, you were one of the references I drew on when building my first fibreglass sub box. It is doing a great job while allowing me to keep most of the trunk space which is far better than needing to shift a big box in and out when you need the space.

[joevanblarcume]

Awesome video.. This answered a few questions I had.. I have a big project I'm going to do with my ford ranger.. This video probably just saved me from having to re-do my sub enclosures

[TheShanerc]

your quote at the end sums it up. just go try it and learn! I'm taking your advice and going to start on my first fiberglass enclosure. been getting pretty good with mdf building but I want to take it to next level. thanks so much for all the info !

[ofam]

Taking your advice thanks tinting has nothing to do with car audio but I tried it screwed it up couple of times now i know how to install it good it's TRUE all you have to do is try and get better as you go experience is always good I'm working on a subwoofer box 2 12" subs hopefully it comes out either way practice makes perfect

[peteropezio]

Awesome, thanks so much..!!! I just need to warm up my garage and fiberglass will begin!

[irockyuorule]

i have made a subwoofer box in the spere tire well, and i used foam to make a small indetation in the bottom to add stifness, the foam also soaks up the resin, makingingit eaven stiffer.

[anthonyguy]

I've had very good results using strips of angle-aluminum to reinforce fiberglass structures. They're inexpensive, light, easy to work with and readily available. 3/8 are the ones I've used, but any size will help strengthen your box.

[ArcadeDude]

Man, such awesome info on this channel! Thank you very much!

[Justthemow]

You can also add ribbing using free paint sticks they are good bracing basically free when you buy paint “to pain the box” and they are flatish so easy to glass over

[atomiccheerio]

I only use one layer of mat to make the initial shape. Then I switch to fiberglass cloth for adding layers inside . Cloth is way stronger than mat. Mat for the form, because it forms in really well, and it's good for the top layer for a smooth finish. But cloth (weaved fiberglass) is where the stregth is at.

[uroslangus]

you can also use styrodure to add thickness. just cut it into strips of desired dimensions and put them so that the fiberglass mat spirals around them. For example you start by making a base layer of fiberglass mat and then put on a styrodure strip and laminate over it. Then you take another styrodure strip and laminate under it etc. For making custom shapes you can do those with modelling clay and when the clay surface gets semi-dry you paint it with at least 5 coats of plastidip so the moisture doesn't escape the clay and makes it crack. For better release of the fiberglass from the plastidip you can spray it with 4 coats of pva. I reccomend you do 3 layers with fiberglass cloth or maybe even carbon fiber and epoxy resin. Epoxy doesn't warp much and the smoother surface you get with cloth or carbon will spare you some sanding. You can then add layers from the inside for strength because the epoxy resin won't warp your creation.I might be doing a subwoofer enclosure soon and if i do, i'll make a video.Hope this helps or gives new ideas.Cheers ;)

[bruth]

Just made a contoured enclosure for my bronco. Wood bottom with a cut out and a fiberglass tub going through it. I cant imagine anyone would want to screw the fiberglass part of their enclosure to the wood part. The ester resin bonds it plenty well, right?

[toscp]

Great video we appreciate all your time/help and I tilt my hat to you for what you said at 6:58 more people need care enough to encourage others.