Glassing the Rolla... PICS!

'Glassing the Rolla... PICS!

If you've ever gone to car shows, you're probably wondered how they made those crazy subwoofer enclosures, kickpanels, amp racks, and what not. Add a finishing resin, lightweight filler sanded to perfection, and chameleon paint and you have a Show-Caliber Install!

So let's start with BASIC fiberglassing. If you have experience with Fiberglassing, you can SKIP this chapter and read on. Otherwise, please read THIS helpful tutorial from Termpro about BASIC fiberglassing. It's not very hard, but it requires determination and the result is usually satisfying!

The XTM Rolla uses two 15" woofers, in a common chamber. Measurements were taken before the box was fabricated. I started by creating a box from MDF (medium density fiberboard) and leaving the FRONT open.

After making the box, I made FOUR MDF rings and temporarily set TWO of them in place with a hot glue gun. Set them in an angle as you wish, experimenting with different styles. Your woofer will be mounted like this so you better pay attention and choose the sweet spot.

After that, you stretch a FLEECE across the face of the box, on top of the mounting rings. May I also suggest that you might want to leave the FLEECE on the center of the MDF rings so that sanded body filler won't get IN the box while sanding.

Now staple the FLEECE in place. Make sure it's pulled hard and taut.

With a brush and a "mixed" resin (meaning the hardener and resin are mixed) Saturate the FLEECE with resin carefully. DO NOT put resin on the middle of the MDF rings. Make sure that the resin soaks the FLEECE and the wood- for more strength. (1-2HRS drying time)

After the fleece cures, start laying Body Filler (BONDO) I prefer 3M Lightweight Filler because it's easily sandable unlike Bondo. Then sand it to perfection using the wet-sanding technique.. start from 80 grit to 120 to 600 grit until it's as smooth as a glass.


Now you will have to decide what material you want to cover your enclosure-- Vinyl? Paint? Carpet? Tweed? In this case, I chose paint-- I mixed various shades to match the Rolla's "Indigo Ink Pearl" paint. The paintjob was topped with five layers of clear coats and polished to achieve that "wet look" finish.


Here's the final product:


And I DID try to use Vinyl because I got tired of the blue paint


So There. I know there's a LOT of things I left out and I just posted the basic procedure, so if you have any questions, feel free to post!

Thanks, there are a lot to read and learn this weekend.

Just a question, the surface you mount the subs seems oval, not completely flat. How did you achieve that?

Another quality DIY eh xtm? Really clean job, good work bud, your really a creative guy!

much respect for all your car audio help on this board! 8)

Nice post XTM I like that info. It looks really nice too.

thanks guys. I will post a DIY on kickpanels later on 8)

damn does that look good...

That is nice..... but I already have plans for my (2) 12" sub setup a custom bandpass enclosure

Add this to the DIY, very insightful and informational...

Good info and nice job...not much room for groceries though....

That looks tight...nice job!!! 8)