Fiberglass Alternative?

**FiReToY** · 02-09-2005, 10:07 AM

Hello,

Its me again, i was thinking about souping up my car other then just my carpc, and wanted to do some new kinda fabrications..my problem is that i don't know how to use fiberglass and after reading a "warnings for fiberglass posioning", im not sure if i want to go that route. I searched the internet for fiberglass alternatives...i want to use bondo but its not really good other then touch up and filling holes....I was watching techtv and this guy built a computer case out of this wood that behaved similer to foam..i figured that would be great but i didn't know what it was called.

I thought about making a base frame out of wood and then shaping cheap aluminum around it then bondoing it up, but how well does bondo stay on aluminum? and would tempature effect it? (head & cold).

Basically i wanted to know ...is there an building/fabrication alternatives to use other then fiberglass? plastic? metal? foam? wiremesh?

Also wondering how to people get a high gloss when painting bondo and other type materials?

**DeltaFX** · 02-09-2005, 11:48 AM

Bondoing aluminium is a baaaaaaaad idea, it wont stick.

**FiReToY** · 02-10-2005, 08:52 AM

Originally Posted by DeltaFX

Bondoing aluminium is a baaaaaaaad idea, it wont stick.

yeah thats what i thought...im looking into how people fabricate replica's of weapons and armor for movies to see what they can suggest....

**Grimey** · 02-10-2005, 08:59 AM

Originally Posted by FiReToY

yeah thats what i thought...im looking into how people fabricate replica's of weapons and armor for movies to see what they can suggest....

That's a good idea to look into. Have you read any further into fiberglassing? Because I really don't think it's that bad. I'm starting to get into it myself because I'm starting up a Surf Shop and all the boards I'm going to shape are going to require fiberglassing. They say the first time you do it, it's not such a fun time but it doesn't take too long to get the hang of it. Maybe consider trying it first and then looking for alternatives?

**RedGTiVR6** · 02-10-2005, 09:28 AM

why are you so scared of fiberglass? yes, it can be bad for you...IF YOU DRINK IT! thousands upon thousands upon thousands of people have used fiberglass without a problem....use it in a well ventelated are

you can have the same problems with bondo.....IF YOU DRINK IT!

i bet you weren't born knowing how to use bondo either hu? get over the fear that SOMEONE somewhere instilled into you about how fiberglass will kill you upon instant contact and mess with it.

It's easy to use, and it's quick to kick. Nothing hazerdous about it if you use it smart (meaning a well ventelated area).

Quit being so scared and get out there and TRY IT!

=]

on the high gloss....it's from clear coat when you paint it....nothing special about that....you just paint it like you would anything else.....some spray paints have an enamel finish in them so they will appear a little shiney as well...

=]

**Nic** · 02-10-2005, 09:45 AM

isnt spray painting supposed to be worse for you that fibreglassing? MDF is supposed to be pretty bad for you as well, nothing like a good dose of formaldehyde

**RedGTiVR6** · 02-10-2005, 10:14 AM

yeup - that's why I can't understand the fear of fiberglass....lol

if anything it's the fibers that break loose from the mat....if that's what you are worried about, wear a mask....=]

**Grimey** · 02-10-2005, 10:18 AM

Originally Posted by Red GTi VR6

yeup - that's why I can't understand the fear of fiberglass....lol

if anything it's the fibers that break loose from the mat....if that's what you are worried about, wear a mask....=]

Should wear a mask anyway with vapor cartridges. Don't wanna

you're brains out.

Everything gives you cancer now-a-days anyway so fiberglass away!

**RedGTiVR6** · 02-10-2005, 10:39 AM

lol - very true....

I guess that when ever we are working with the stuff we are out in the open and are wearing masks anyways.....just kinda second nature now...lol

**lcruisader** · 04-22-2008, 12:02 PM

I have a 99 Buick Regal, in which I am want to remove the rear deck stock speakers and install 2 subs and 2 6x9's. The problem is the rear deck is not flush. The sheet metal is stamped in various rectangle and octagon shapes. The interesting part though is the speakers are mounted to 4 inch tall plastic housings (ported underneath into the trunk).

I can't just mount new round speakers to the sheet metal (not only because of the stamped metal) but also because the bottoms of the speakers will interfere with trunk space. The 4 inch plastic platform raises the woofers high enough to tuck away the back side of the woofer in the trunk.

My question is: what materials could I use to fabricate a similar setup? Think of a coffee can with a woofer as a lid. That's the same principle I need to apply here.
I do NOT want to use wood, and fiberglass has an over powering odor (the finished product ).
Thanks!