Hey guys , great site = ] Tried to search an appropriate thread to post, but some errors with the search options My question is , what is the best technique for a glasslike finish on fiberglass enclosures.. The finish on my boxes seem rippley , and not as smooth as I would like them . Any tips for a noob ? = ]


This was my first box, and have built many since. Just cant get that finish im looking for Any help appreciated = ] Thanks ~Nelson

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what grit of paper do you usually go down to??

i made a little single guage pod for my explorer and went all the way up to 2000 grit. wet sanded after paint, cleared then polished and it came out very very glass like

The grit I went down to on that box was only 500, I was thinking the problem was more towards the technique I was using for sanding. Im using a dual action sander off of a shop compressor. w/ 5" disks. I had problems finding higher grit disks.. Another question thats has crossed my mind is with the filler, and how much to apply to be sanded.

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what did you start with ? 80,100,120,150,180,220,320,400wet,and so on up to the high the better 2000cutgrit

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The smaller projects ive done have turned out great, custom A-pillar pod w/ guages and tweeter, tweeter pods in door corner, kickpods. My biggest concern is the larger areas, where any mistake is easily noticed. Its difficult to even see them unless you have a glossy finish on them = \ hard to notice the 'ripples' without a glosslike coat on them = \ ~ Nelson

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I started with 80 grit - than 100- 220- 400- than 500wet.

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Better detail.

Gotta get rid of the ripples

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Use a block to sand much earlier on... in the 80-100-120 grit stage that's when you're shaping the glass. you need to use a sanding block to keep the sanding smooth, and keep it looking good. the finer grits are only to finish things, and to make the shape you've made smoother.

when sanding, do i want to get right back down to the glass itself, or leave as much (smoothed out) filler as possible?

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in a perfect world, you'd want the least amount of filler on there that's possible...

Mark

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