Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two)

x00 · 01-23-2006, 10:09 PM

i must say that looks amazing! what kind of wood is that? particle board? just wondering why that was used instad of mdf.

how much money/time have you put into this project so far?

NickZigaitis · 01-24-2006, 09:29 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by x00

i must say that looks amazing! what kind of wood is that? particle board? just wondering why that was used instad of mdf.

how much money/time have you put into this project so far?

Its particle board. I have a lot of experience with particle board and because my budget is limited, I didn't want to screw up sheets of mdf trying to learn its quirky ways. With particle, I know how hard to drive screws in without breaking the board or know how it cuts so thats why I went with particle. I'd just rather use a material I know how to construct with rather than a material made of layers of carboard pressed together.

But, MDF could have been used and certainly someone could use it if they have experience with it.

You know what I mean. Particle board to me is like fiberglassing to others. Some know it and how to construct with it and others don't. I just used what I had experience with.

But, the particle board is 5/8", not 3/4". Because the pieces of particle are short in length and seriously braced, there is very little doubt in my mind of the 5/8" flexing. If the pieces were larger, then I would have used 3/4". The 5/8" also allowed me to stay within dimensions and keep internal volume for the woofers.

I've probably got roughly $150 in it right now with materials. And by the time the glass is on and bondo'd, it'll have roughly $250 into it.

If I were to sell it, considering the materials involved, the hours of labor involved, its utererly precise fit in the cab and its design work allowing for the 3 woofers and 4 amps in a regular cab with 2 click loss on the seats, I'd sell it for no less that $800.
You seriously have to see it in person to appreciate all the intricate angles, bologne cuts, construction, and fitment. Its dead nuts on the money. I'd honestly say its probably +/- 1 - 2mm off on measurement at the most.

I invested in a couple tools to help me to this one. I bought a bandsaw, scroll saw and some squaring clamps.

Enclosure wise, its the best I've made and by far the most intricate.

Chappy316 will see it, he can report on it.

Its probably the most stout box I've made too. That damn thing will probably survive and accident that I'm sure the truck wouldn't

Chappy316 · 01-24-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis

Chappy316 will see it, he can report on it.

yeppers i will! its just a shame that mine wont turn out as nice as yours but i guess i can get over that... so the offical schedule (so far) is we are loading up the blazer the first weekend of february, and we are making the road trip on the following weekend so thats the 10th through the 12th... let me know what your schedule is gonna look like and we can figure something out.

thanks again man!

NickZigaitis · 01-24-2006, 01:30 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Chappy316

yeppers i will! its just a shame that mine wont turn out as nice as yours but i guess i can get over that... so the offical schedule (so far) is we are loading up the blazer the first weekend of february, and we are making the road trip on the following weekend so thats the 10th through the 12th... let me know what your schedule is gonna look like and we can figure something out.

thanks again man!

Schedule is open. Just let me know when you're in town.

BIGGERISBETTER · 01-24-2006, 03:05 PM

i want to ride along

Chappy316 · 01-24-2006, 05:07 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BIGGERISBETTER

i want to ride along

talk to ant or hit me up on AIM...

vio0633 · 01-24-2006, 06:55 PM

Hey nick saw the picts. I promise not to use fleece anymore and go with spandex now....lol.

NickZigaitis · 01-25-2006, 08:41 AM

Update:

Because it was cold as hell here I let the resin cure for 2 days before handling it.

With polyester and even epoxy based resins, you need to be mindful of the climate you are applying it in. If its too hot, the resin or epoxy will cure really fast. Sometimes too fast and in such case that is referred to as Cook Off. Also be midful of the 14 drops per 1.5oz of resin. When hot outside, sometimes less drops will be sufficient.
However, when its cold, the cure time slows dramatically. And, you will need to add more drops of hardner per 1.5 oz of resin.

For example: When I applied the resin on this enclosure, it was exactly 48 degrees in my garage. I mixed one 3oz batch and was adding 60 drops of hardner to the resin. After that, I heated the resin. Thats 30 drops per 1.5oz of resin at 48 degrees. You will, in colder temperatures, need to add more hardner or the cure may not even occur fully or penetration into the fabric is more difficult.

Here is the trick of the trade. Heat up the resin. When its cold, the resin seams thicker, like molasis rather than runier like slightly thickened syrup.
DO NOT get too hot. All you need to do is grab a bucket and get hot ass water and put it in the bucket. Then submerge your resin container 3/4 deep in to the water. Do not fully submerge as you don't want water mixing at all with your mix. After 15 minutes, pull the resin container out and dry it with a paper towel. Then you can proceed as usual using 14 - 20 drops of hardner per 1.5oz of resin at 48 degrees.

Here are the pics of it installed. They show a bit better the amount of room gained with this box over the last one. Also notice how the box edges are flush as a mofo with the cab walls. Fits snug as a bug in there. PERFECT.

x00 · 01-25-2006, 11:38 AM

that looks amazing... Just wondering...When you'll be putting the mat/cloth over the whole thing, aren't you gonna go over the edges too? If so that would make them thicker and the box won't fit anymore... Thats how i ****ed up my jumpseat boxes, so then i had to trim plastic around the box

Also, do you have any back shots of the box, just want to see what you did with the fabric. Overlap over the edges or it just ends on the side.

NickZigaitis · 01-25-2006, 12:04 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by x00

that looks amazing... Just wondering...When you'll be putting the mat/cloth over the whole thing, aren't you gonna go over the edges too? If so that would make them thicker and the box won't fit anymore... Thats how i ****ed up my jumpseat boxes, so then i had to trim plastic around the box

Also, do you have any back shots of the box, just want to see what you did with the fabric. Overlap over the edges or it just ends on the side.

There is actually an 1/8" gap around the edges at the cab walls to allow for thickness build up of the glass. 7 layers of glass should fill this gap quite nicely. I'll be using 3 layers of 12oz glass, 2 layers 5oz glass and the last 2 will be 2oz glass.

I'm about to get started on the center console. After which I'll fab up the new dash bezel and then I'll make one large order for glass. When I get that in I'll spend a weekend glassing all three (box, console, bezel) and then its all on like a pot of stew with the bondo work. But, the spandex stretched really nicely so after the glass, ther shouldn't be much bondo to do. Thank God.

As far as pictures of the rear. I don't have them, I'll shoot a couple tonight. But, I stretched it completely around the bottom and the sides, fully enclosing the skeleton. Then I trimmed the access off. Like I said, I'll shoot some of the back side tonight.

NickZigaitis · 01-25-2006, 12:07 PM

Hey you all,

Check out the video I made. The link is in my sig. I downloaded all kinds of small videos and then chopped them all up and put them into one. Lots of various footage you all may have seen before. Music is Korn and I shot some footage of fire in my garage and added it in along with an atom bomb explosion to give it a little bit of a dramatic appeal.

Enjoy. Just a little something back for you all.
3+ minutes long. 56K guys beware.

BIGGERISBETTER · 01-25-2006, 12:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis

Update:

Because it was cold as hell here I let the resin cure for 2 days before handling it.

With polyester and even epoxy based resins, you need to be mindful of the climate you are applying it in. If its too hot, the resin or epoxy will cure really fast. Sometimes too fast and in such case that is referred to as Cook Off. Also be midful of the 14 drops per 1.5oz of resin. When hot outside, sometimes less drops will be sufficient.
However, when its cold, the cure time slows dramatically. And, you will need to add more drops of hardner per 1.5 oz of resin.

For example: When I applied the resin on this enclosure, it was exactly 48 degrees in my garage. I mixed one 3oz batch and was adding 60 drops of hardner to the resin. After that, I heated the resin. Thats 30 drops per 1.5oz of resin at 48 degrees. You will, in colder temperatures, need to add more hardner or the cure may not even occur fully or penetration into the fabric is more difficult.

Here is the trick of the trade. Heat up the resin. When its cold, the resin seams thicker, like molasis rather than runier like slightly thickened syrup.
DO NOT get too hot. All you need to do is grab a bucket and get hot ass water and put it in the bucket. Then submerge your resin container 3/4 deep in to the water. Do not fully submerge as you don't want water mixing at all with your mix. After 15 minutes, pull the resin container out and dry it with a paper towel. Then you can proceed as usual using 14 - 20 drops of hardner per 1.5oz of resin at 48 degrees.

Here are the pics of it installed. They show a bit better the amount of room gained with this box over the last one. Also notice how the box edges are flush as a mofo with the cab walls. Fits snug as a bug in there. PERFECT.

It's.. snug as a bug in a rug fool...

And it looks great stuffed in there. Hows the smoothness of it so far? Im curious to all the sanding you'll have to do

NickZigaitis · 01-25-2006, 12:16 PM

BiggerIsBetter,

The spandex is very smooth. I'll use probably 100 grit, really quick on it (nothing crazy) just to score the surface so the resin and glass have a good bonding surface when I lay it on.

I'm telling you, if you use spandex, you'll save money and a shit load of time. I'm not kidding. All the sanding involved with fleece is long behind you if you use it.

It may cost more than fleece, but the savings in resin, time, effore, etc, more than offsets that cost.

MoneyMike · 01-25-2006, 12:38 PM

you are a monster....

NickZigaitis · 01-25-2006, 01:31 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by MoneyMike

you are a monster....

Thanks. I'd like to think I have a little firey demon inside, lol. I'm just trying to push the envelope as far as I can with fiberglass fabrication for a regular cab. I try to make my stuff look good; somewhat easy and explain my builds (from you all's perspective), look good (had to mention twice) and also be practical. i.e. the sub box with the periscope and back up cam. You never would have thought about there being a back up cam in the area of the box that juts upward in the middle. Most of you at first glance probably thought is was just design. But, the cam allows me to shave the reaview mirror and clean the interior up even more while using the screen in the dash as the new rearview.

Serves function and looks awesome.

NickZigaitis · 01-25-2006, 03:50 PM

You may have read my thread in the Off Topic section about the other sub box in this thread.

Until I hear other wise, I'm considering it to be a stolen item.

DO NOT part-take in transactions with Dropped01X, YOU WILL get burned.

God Damn, I'm pissed.

NickZigaitis · 01-25-2006, 04:07 PM

Super short vid of me working on the sub bow.

Just in case you all were curious on how its done. Well you can now sort of put the face behind the name.

I'm using a 2" diameter drum sander on a die grinder to even up some surfaces.

http://www.filecabi.net/u.php?file=1138219493.wmv

x00 · 01-25-2006, 06:19 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis

Super short vid of me working on the sub bow.

Just in case you all were curious on how its done. Well you can now sort of put the face behind the name.

I'm using a 2" diameter drum sander on a die grinder to even up some surfaces.

http://www.filecabi.net/u.php?file=1138219493.wmv

that's right, breath that stuff in...lol

NickZigaitis · 01-25-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by x00

that's right, breath that stuff in...lol

Shit man, Didn't anyone tell you that stuff tastes good, lol. Yeah, white snot is fun.

My friends, thats the hardcore way of doing it. Brings you closer in your relationship with your truck when you breathe and bleed its creation, lol.

pssssssssst, I also talk to her while I work.

Just kidding.

Chappy316 · 01-25-2006, 07:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis

...then I'll make one large order for glass. When I get that in I'll spend a weekend glassing all three (box, console, bezel) and then its all on like a pot of stew with the bondo work. But, the spandex stretched really nicely so after the glass, ther shouldn't be much bondo to do. Thank God.

hopefully ant and i miss that "fun" weekend...

haha

oh yea, and its "on like donkey kong" for future reference...

NickZigaitis · 01-25-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Chappy316

hopefully ant and i miss that "fun" weekend... haha

oh yea, and its "on like donkey kong" for future reference...

I thought it was "Its all on like a pot of stew", lol.

I love the smell of resin. Maybe I'll be glassing when you get here. My shop smells like a resin factory.

Milky4204 · 01-25-2006, 08:47 PM

lookin good. thats the same jig saw I have. works good for the price.

Chappy316 · 01-25-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis

I thought it was "Its all on like a pot of stew", lol.

I love the smell of resin. Maybe I'll be glassing when you get here. My shop smells like a resin factory.

oh dont you worry, i didnt say i hated the smell of resin because i dont... but if im gonna be "put to work" then i want some formal lessons and a practise project, but i guess i got my practise project which is why im making the visit right?

lol

jherrell · 01-26-2006, 09:58 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis

Brentwood is right in the middle of St. Louis. Sorry bro. I hear there is a plethera of you truckin guys out that way. I've been in touch here recently with SLY from TeamSSX about me maybe starting a chapter out here in St. Louis. It's gonna be hard though, I rarely see our type (min-trucks) rolling around this way. Thats why when I do eventually see one, I get all excited and shit. Its nice to run into your own kind around here.

Unfortunately, this area is over run with ricers, making the mini-trucker the elite.

Damn Nick, guess you ain't looking around. I run with the St-Louis S-Series group. Actually a pretty good group of guys and gals. I hail from the east side over near Scott AFB. I'm going to start some glass projects in the summer (new sub enclosure and amp mounts, center console, and a couple of other things), so hopefully we can hook up and you can give me some pointers...

I drive a 01 regular cab, Pewter in color, currently half-bagged!

BIGGERISBETTER · 01-26-2006, 10:42 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis

Super short vid of me working on the sub bow.

Just in case you all were curious on how its done. Well you can now sort of put the face behind the name.

I'm using a 2" diameter drum sander on a die grinder to even up some surfaces.

http://www.filecabi.net/u.php?file=1138219493.wmv

You look like your out to rob a bank fella.. lol. Lil cold in the ol' shop?

NickZigaitis · 01-26-2006, 05:38 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BIGGERISBETTER

You look like your out to rob a bank fella.. lol. Lil cold in the ol' shop?

Cold as Shit. I had to bundle up while I work just to keep my hands from shaking, lol.

NickZigaitis · 01-26-2006, 05:39 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by jherrell

Damn Nick, guess you ain't looking around. I run with the St-Louis S-Series group. Actually a pretty good group of guys and gals. I hail from the east side over near Scott AFB. I'm going to start some glass projects in the summer (new sub enclosure and amp mounts, center console, and a couple of other things), so hopefully we can hook up and you can give me some pointers...

I drive a 01 regular cab, Pewter in color, currently half-bagged!

I'd more than happy to get together on some stuff. Just send a PM when you're ready to go.

NickZigaitis · 01-26-2006, 05:41 PM

BIG NEWS!!!!!!!

I'm A Dad!!!!!
Kelly, my wife, gave birth to our daughter, Lily, this morning at 10:26 central. Just in case you all thought I disappeared today. Thats what was going on.

Note to self: You know you're addicted to this forum when; you go home real quick to get some shit and you squeeze in a few minutes on the forum to announce the news and hit up some pm's.

01-23-2006, 10:09 PM	#251
x00 Got 20's? Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 773 Location: nj User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) i must say that looks amazing! what kind of wood is that? particle board? just wondering why that was used instad of mdf. how much money/time have you put into this project so far?
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2006, 09:29 AM	#252
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by x00 i must say that looks amazing! what kind of wood is that? particle board? just wondering why that was used instad of mdf. how much money/time have you put into this project so far? Its particle board. I have a lot of experience with particle board and because my budget is limited, I didn't want to screw up sheets of mdf trying to learn its quirky ways. With particle, I know how hard to drive screws in without breaking the board or know how it cuts so thats why I went with particle. I'd just rather use a material I know how to construct with rather than a material made of layers of carboard pressed together. But, MDF could have been used and certainly someone could use it if they have experience with it. You know what I mean. Particle board to me is like fiberglassing to others. Some know it and how to construct with it and others don't. I just used what I had experience with. But, the particle board is 5/8", not 3/4". Because the pieces of particle are short in length and seriously braced, there is very little doubt in my mind of the 5/8" flexing. If the pieces were larger, then I would have used 3/4". The 5/8" also allowed me to stay within dimensions and keep internal volume for the woofers. I've probably got roughly $150 in it right now with materials. And by the time the glass is on and bondo'd, it'll have roughly $250 into it. If I were to sell it, considering the materials involved, the hours of labor involved, its utererly precise fit in the cab and its design work allowing for the 3 woofers and 4 amps in a regular cab with 2 click loss on the seats, I'd sell it for no less that $800. You seriously have to see it in person to appreciate all the intricate angles, bologne cuts, construction, and fitment. Its dead nuts on the money. I'd honestly say its probably +/- 1 - 2mm off on measurement at the most. I invested in a couple tools to help me to this one. I bought a bandsaw, scroll saw and some squaring clamps. Enclosure wise, its the best I've made and by far the most intricate. Chappy316 will see it, he can report on it. Its probably the most stout box I've made too. That damn thing will probably survive and accident that I'm sure the truck wouldn't
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2006, 09:34 AM	#253
Chappy316 SOLD! Age: 23 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,892 Location: Cedar Point Ohio User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis Chappy316 will see it, he can report on it. yeppers i will! its just a shame that mine wont turn out as nice as yours but i guess i can get over that... so the offical schedule (so far) is we are loading up the blazer the first weekend of february, and we are making the road trip on the following weekend so thats the 10th through the 12th... let me know what your schedule is gonna look like and we can figure something out. thanks again man!
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2006, 01:30 PM	#254
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by Chappy316 yeppers i will! its just a shame that mine wont turn out as nice as yours but i guess i can get over that... so the offical schedule (so far) is we are loading up the blazer the first weekend of february, and we are making the road trip on the following weekend so thats the 10th through the 12th... let me know what your schedule is gonna look like and we can figure something out. thanks again man! Schedule is open. Just let me know when you're in town.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2006, 03:05 PM	#255
BIGGERISBETTER flat blue and layin frame Age: 24 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5,885 Location: Bolivar, Ohio User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) i want to ride along
	[Reply w/Quote]


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01-24-2006, 05:07 PM	#256
Chappy316 SOLD! Age: 23 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,892 Location: Cedar Point Ohio User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by BIGGERISBETTER i want to ride along talk to ant or hit me up on AIM...
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-24-2006, 06:55 PM	#257
vio0633 SIC FL Chapter prez Age: 27 Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 2,945 Location: Pensacola, Florida User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Hey nick saw the picts. I promise not to use fleece anymore and go with spandex now....lol.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-25-2006, 08:41 AM	#258
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Update: Because it was cold as hell here I let the resin cure for 2 days before handling it. With polyester and even epoxy based resins, you need to be mindful of the climate you are applying it in. If its too hot, the resin or epoxy will cure really fast. Sometimes too fast and in such case that is referred to as Cook Off. Also be midful of the 14 drops per 1.5oz of resin. When hot outside, sometimes less drops will be sufficient. However, when its cold, the cure time slows dramatically. And, you will need to add more drops of hardner per 1.5 oz of resin. For example: When I applied the resin on this enclosure, it was exactly 48 degrees in my garage. I mixed one 3oz batch and was adding 60 drops of hardner to the resin. After that, I heated the resin. Thats 30 drops per 1.5oz of resin at 48 degrees. You will, in colder temperatures, need to add more hardner or the cure may not even occur fully or penetration into the fabric is more difficult. Here is the trick of the trade. Heat up the resin. When its cold, the resin seams thicker, like molasis rather than runier like slightly thickened syrup. DO NOT get too hot. All you need to do is grab a bucket and get hot ass water and put it in the bucket. Then submerge your resin container 3/4 deep in to the water. Do not fully submerge as you don't want water mixing at all with your mix. After 15 minutes, pull the resin container out and dry it with a paper towel. Then you can proceed as usual using 14 - 20 drops of hardner per 1.5oz of resin at 48 degrees. Here are the pics of it installed. They show a bit better the amount of room gained with this box over the last one. Also notice how the box edges are flush as a mofo with the cab walls. Fits snug as a bug in there. PERFECT.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-25-2006, 11:38 AM	#259
x00 Got 20's? Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 773 Location: nj User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) that looks amazing... Just wondering...When you'll be putting the mat/cloth over the whole thing, aren't you gonna go over the edges too? If so that would make them thicker and the box won't fit anymore... Thats how i ***ed up my jumpseat boxes, so then i had to trim plastic around the box Also, do you have any back shots of the box, just want to see what you did with the fabric. Overlap over the edges or it just ends on the side. Last edited by x00 : 01-25-2006 at 11:41 AM.*
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-25-2006, 12:04 PM	#260
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by x00 that looks amazing... Just wondering...When you'll be putting the mat/cloth over the whole thing, aren't you gonna go over the edges too? If so that would make them thicker and the box won't fit anymore... Thats how i ****ed up my jumpseat boxes, so then i had to trim plastic around the box Also, do you have any back shots of the box, just want to see what you did with the fabric. Overlap over the edges or it just ends on the side. There is actually an 1/8" gap around the edges at the cab walls to allow for thickness build up of the glass. 7 layers of glass should fill this gap quite nicely. I'll be using 3 layers of 12oz glass, 2 layers 5oz glass and the last 2 will be 2oz glass. I'm about to get started on the center console. After which I'll fab up the new dash bezel and then I'll make one large order for glass. When I get that in I'll spend a weekend glassing all three (box, console, bezel) and then its all on like a pot of stew with the bondo work. But, the spandex stretched really nicely so after the glass, ther shouldn't be much bondo to do. Thank God. As far as pictures of the rear. I don't have them, I'll shoot a couple tonight. But, I stretched it completely around the bottom and the sides, fully enclosing the skeleton. Then I trimmed the access off. Like I said, I'll shoot some of the back side tonight.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-25-2006, 12:07 PM	#261
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Hey you all, Check out the video I made. The link is in my sig. I downloaded all kinds of small videos and then chopped them all up and put them into one. Lots of various footage you all may have seen before. Music is Korn and I shot some footage of fire in my garage and added it in along with an atom bomb explosion to give it a little bit of a dramatic appeal. Enjoy. Just a little something back for you all. 3+ minutes long. 56K guys beware. Last edited by NickZigaitis : 01-25-2006 at 12:09 PM.
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-25-2006, 12:08 PM	#262
BIGGERISBETTER flat blue and layin frame Age: 24 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5,885 Location: Bolivar, Ohio User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis Update: Because it was cold as hell here I let the resin cure for 2 days before handling it. With polyester and even epoxy based resins, you need to be mindful of the climate you are applying it in. If its too hot, the resin or epoxy will cure really fast. Sometimes too fast and in such case that is referred to as Cook Off. Also be midful of the 14 drops per 1.5oz of resin. When hot outside, sometimes less drops will be sufficient. However, when its cold, the cure time slows dramatically. And, you will need to add more drops of hardner per 1.5 oz of resin. For example: When I applied the resin on this enclosure, it was exactly 48 degrees in my garage. I mixed one 3oz batch and was adding 60 drops of hardner to the resin. After that, I heated the resin. Thats 30 drops per 1.5oz of resin at 48 degrees. You will, in colder temperatures, need to add more hardner or the cure may not even occur fully or penetration into the fabric is more difficult. Here is the trick of the trade. Heat up the resin. When its cold, the resin seams thicker, like molasis rather than runier like slightly thickened syrup. DO NOT get too hot. All you need to do is grab a bucket and get hot ass water and put it in the bucket. Then submerge your resin container 3/4 deep in to the water. Do not fully submerge as you don't want water mixing at all with your mix. After 15 minutes, pull the resin container out and dry it with a paper towel. Then you can proceed as usual using 14 - 20 drops of hardner per 1.5oz of resin at 48 degrees. Here are the pics of it installed. They show a bit better the amount of room gained with this box over the last one. Also notice how the box edges are flush as a mofo with the cab walls. Fits snug as a bug in there. PERFECT. It's.. snug as a bug in a rug fool... And it looks great stuffed in there. Hows the smoothness of it so far? Im curious to all the sanding you'll have to do
	[Reply w/Quote]

01-25-2006, 12:16 PM	#263
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) BiggerIsBetter, The spandex is very smooth. I'll use probably 100 grit, really quick on it (nothing crazy) just to score the surface so the resin and glass have a good bonding surface when I lay it on. I'm telling you, if you use spandex, you'll save money and a shit load of time. I'm not kidding. All the sanding involved with fleece is long behind you if you use it. It may cost more than fleece, but the savings in resin, time, effore, etc, more than offsets that cost.
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01-25-2006, 12:38 PM	#264
MoneyMike Beer, Bait and Ammo Age: 23 Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 6,205 Location: Baytown, Texas User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) you are a monster....
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01-25-2006, 01:31 PM	#265
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by MoneyMike you are a monster.... Thanks. I'd like to think I have a little firey demon inside, lol. I'm just trying to push the envelope as far as I can with fiberglass fabrication for a regular cab. I try to make my stuff look good; somewhat easy and explain my builds (from you all's perspective), look good (had to mention twice) and also be practical. i.e. the sub box with the periscope and back up cam. You never would have thought about there being a back up cam in the area of the box that juts upward in the middle. Most of you at first glance probably thought is was just design. But, the cam allows me to shave the reaview mirror and clean the interior up even more while using the screen in the dash as the new rearview. Serves function and looks awesome.
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01-25-2006, 03:50 PM	#266
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) You may have read my thread in the Off Topic section about the other sub box in this thread. Until I hear other wise, I'm considering it to be a stolen item. DO NOT part-take in transactions with Dropped01X, YOU WILL get burned. God Damn, I'm pissed.
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01-25-2006, 04:07 PM	#267
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Super short vid of me working on the sub bow. Just in case you all were curious on how its done. Well you can now sort of put the face behind the name. I'm using a 2" diameter drum sander on a die grinder to even up some surfaces. http://www.filecabi.net/u.php?file=1138219493.wmv
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01-25-2006, 06:19 PM	#268
x00 Got 20's? Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 773 Location: nj User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis Super short vid of me working on the sub bow. Just in case you all were curious on how its done. Well you can now sort of put the face behind the name. I'm using a 2" diameter drum sander on a die grinder to even up some surfaces. http://www.filecabi.net/u.php?file=1138219493.wmv that's right, breath that stuff in...lol
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01-25-2006, 07:02 PM	#269
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by x00 that's right, breath that stuff in...lol Shit man, Didn't anyone tell you that stuff tastes good, lol. Yeah, white snot is fun. My friends, thats the hardcore way of doing it. Brings you closer in your relationship with your truck when you breathe and bleed its creation, lol. pssssssssst, I also talk to her while I work. Just kidding.
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01-25-2006, 07:34 PM	#270
Chappy316 SOLD! Age: 23 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,892 Location: Cedar Point Ohio User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis ...then I'll make one large order for glass. When I get that in I'll spend a weekend glassing all three (box, console, bezel) and then its all on like a pot of stew with the bondo work. But, the spandex stretched really nicely so after the glass, ther shouldn't be much bondo to do. Thank God. hopefully ant and i miss that "fun" weekend... haha oh yea, and its "on like donkey kong" for future reference... Last edited by Chappy316 : 01-25-2006 at 07:36 PM.
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01-25-2006, 07:41 PM	#271
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by Chappy316 hopefully ant and i miss that "fun" weekend... haha oh yea, and its "on like donkey kong" for future reference... I thought it was "Its all on like a pot of stew", lol. I love the smell of resin. Maybe I'll be glassing when you get here. My shop smells like a resin factory.
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01-25-2006, 08:47 PM	#272
Milky4204 body droppin' Age: 23 Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 1,354 Location: kc User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) lookin good. thats the same jig saw I have. works good for the price.
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01-25-2006, 08:49 PM	#273
Chappy316 SOLD! Age: 23 Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,892 Location: Cedar Point Ohio User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis I thought it was "Its all on like a pot of stew", lol. I love the smell of resin. Maybe I'll be glassing when you get here. My shop smells like a resin factory. oh dont you worry, i didnt say i hated the smell of resin because i dont... but if im gonna be "put to work" then i want some formal lessons and a practise project, but i guess i got my practise project which is why im making the visit right? lol
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01-26-2006, 09:58 AM	#274
jherrell SLASH - S.I.C. St. Louis Age: 35 Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,891 Location: Shiloh, IL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis Brentwood is right in the middle of St. Louis. Sorry bro. I hear there is a plethera of you truckin guys out that way. I've been in touch here recently with SLY from TeamSSX about me maybe starting a chapter out here in St. Louis. It's gonna be hard though, I rarely see our type (min-trucks) rolling around this way. Thats why when I do eventually see one, I get all excited and shit. Its nice to run into your own kind around here. Unfortunately, this area is over run with ricers, making the mini-trucker the elite. Damn Nick, guess you ain't looking around. I run with the St-Louis S-Series group. Actually a pretty good group of guys and gals. I hail from the east side over near Scott AFB. I'm going to start some glass projects in the summer (new sub enclosure and amp mounts, center console, and a couple of other things), so hopefully we can hook up and you can give me some pointers... I drive a 01 regular cab, Pewter in color, currently half-bagged! Last edited by jherrell : 01-26-2006 at 10:02 AM.
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01-26-2006, 10:42 AM	#275
BIGGERISBETTER flat blue and layin frame Age: 24 Join Date: Aug 2004 Posts: 5,885 Location: Bolivar, Ohio User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by NickZigaitis Super short vid of me working on the sub bow. Just in case you all were curious on how its done. Well you can now sort of put the face behind the name. I'm using a 2" diameter drum sander on a die grinder to even up some surfaces. http://www.filecabi.net/u.php?file=1138219493.wmv You look like your out to rob a bank fella.. lol. Lil cold in the ol' shop?
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01-26-2006, 05:38 PM	#276
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by BIGGERISBETTER You look like your out to rob a bank fella.. lol. Lil cold in the ol' shop? Cold as Shit. I had to bundle up while I work just to keep my hands from shaking, lol.
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01-26-2006, 05:39 PM	#277
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) Quote: Originally Posted by jherrell Damn Nick, guess you ain't looking around. I run with the St-Louis S-Series group. Actually a pretty good group of guys and gals. I hail from the east side over near Scott AFB. I'm going to start some glass projects in the summer (new sub enclosure and amp mounts, center console, and a couple of other things), so hopefully we can hook up and you can give me some pointers... I drive a 01 regular cab, Pewter in color, currently half-bagged! I'd more than happy to get together on some stuff. Just send a PM when you're ready to go.
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01-26-2006, 05:41 PM	#278
NickZigaitis I Like Fire....HaHaHa Age: 78 Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 4,693 Location: God Damn Garage, STL User is: OffLine	Re: Teaching Fiberglass (part one and two) BIG NEWS!!!!!!! I'm A Dad!!!!! Kelly, my wife, gave birth to our daughter, Lily, this morning at 10:26 central. Just in case you all thought I disappeared today. Thats what was going on. Note to self: You know you're addicted to this forum when; you go home real quick to get some shit and you squeeze in a few minutes on the forum to announce the news and hit up some pm's.