It's about time I...

[William from NOLA]

...got around to wrapping my box. I used vinyl. The parts that don't have air bubbles in them look good. Oh well, this was just practice for me. I should be able to remove some of creases on the front when I put the sub in. The pics make it look worse than it really is.

http://megahurts4.servebeer.com/cac/boxcoverd.jpg
http://megahurts4.servebeer.com/cac/boxcovered2.jpg
http://megahurts4.servebeer.com/cac/amprackcoverd.jpg

I'd take pics of it in my van but my van is in the shop... dang water pump went out and I got stuck in a bad neighborhood, wasn't fun.

[Ryan from Ohio]

Where did ya get the vinyl from?

I ordered from Select Products and cant be happier with the quality!

The big thing with vinyl is getting it tight. Usually requires two people and a game plan :p

[William from NOLA]

I just bought it from a local fabric shop. It was cheap too, only $4 for the amount I used (4 yards?, bleh I forget now). I had my girlfriend help me. I didn't figure out how to get it on their AFTER the glue set some. It turns out that even if you get it perfect when the glue is first applied, it goes back and almost moves on you... very irritating.

I got it down earlier today with the amp rack though. the vinyl seems to be best when you apply glue to both the box AND the vinyl, then press firmly (preferably put the box down on the flat ground and have it weigh it self on it. I believe the backing on the vinyl didn't totally agree with the glue, but it sticks well once it does.

Tips:
1. Don't glob the glue, make sure it is thin and spread all across both surfaces.
2. Let the piece of vinyl be pressed down upon rather than holding it down
3. Tug on edges while pressed down to ensure it is flat
4. A gameplan :)

[Ryan from Ohio]

Ryans tips for vinyl covering:


Use 3M spray glue (Found at Walmart) $9.99
Have a staple gun handy!
Have a new Razor Knife handy
Glue the first side, spraying only the box
Make sure to leave 2-3" overhang to staple to the bottom!
work flat- no air bubbles!, lay said side down.
Staple the small piece to the bottom, pulling tight and keeping it straight
After about 20 minutes glue second side. Pull vinyl tight-work out bubbles, lay on this side
After about 20 minutes glue final side. Pul vinyl tight working bubbles out. Make sure there is 2-3" overhang
Staple overhang to front
Have game plan for the ends! Usually triangle is what works best. You will want the razor for this one! Ends rarely look good, so make sure they are hidden!


Thats how I did mine ;) What did you use elemrs glue or liquid nails? I can only imagine that was a real fun one :tongue017

[lotas]

Ryans tips for vinyl covering:


Use 3M spray glue (Found at Walmart) $9.99
Have a staple gun handy!
Have a new Razor Knife handy
Glue the first side, spraying only the box
Make sure to leave 2-3" overhang to staple to the bottom!
work flat- no air bubbles!, lay said side down.
Staple the small piece to the bottom, pulling tight and keeping it straight
After about 20 minutes glue second side. Pull vinyl tight-work out bubbles, lay on this side
After about 20 minutes glue final side. Pul vinyl tight working bubbles out. Make sure there is 2-3" overhang
Staple overhang to front
Have game plan for the ends! Usually triangle is what works best. You will want the razor for this one! Ends rarely look good, so make sure they are hidden!


Thats how I did mine ;) What did you use elemrs glue or liquid nails? I can only imagine that was a real fun one :tongue017

hey ryan i thought with 3M you spray both surfaces of whats going to be glued together and then wait a minute for it to be dry and then apply?

[Ryan from Ohio]

You dont have to.

Wait time varys per product...

[William from NOLA]

The glue I used was DAP WeldWood Contact Cement. It's a gel of sorts. I asked my parents to pick me up something to use for glueing the vinyl, at first they picked up a can of 3M spray, but then decided that the contact cement was better... I'd advise not using this contact cement indoors... quite strong.

[Ryan from Ohio]

lol darn parents!

THe spray is where its at :D

[GlassWolf]

yes with 3M super 77 spray adhesive you spray both surfaces and wait for them to tack. then they adhere on contact.
use a squeegie to push out air pockets.
sewing works well too for seaming edges.

[William from NOLA]

http://megahurts4.servebeer.com/cac/van/pics/vinyl.jpg
http://megahurts4.servebeer.com/cac/van/pics/vinyl2.jpg

In the van they go!

[Ryan from Ohio]

Just curoius, but what kind/brand RCAs/power/ground wire you running?

The RCAs look like the ones at Wal Mart, hope they are not... :p

[Justin from Detroit]

Looks good, but like ryan said, I'd for sure upgrade those RCA's and wiring.

[William from NOLA]

They are some older Pheonix Gold ones. Fairly cheap, but work fine. I do have some good quality (well shielded and gold connectors) but they are too short. I can put two together but I'd have 6 feet left over. I was really just waiting until I get a new car to use the better cable, but that won't be for 2 years.

The power/ground are just generic 4 gauge wiring I bought from my uncle who, at the time, worked at a truck parts store (semi's). I got 50 feet of the 4 gauge for $33. The wires are copper and have oxidized slightly at the ends. The insulation is about 2-3 mm thick + some weaved fabric.

[lotas]

damn will that looks so much better, looks like a whole different setup..good job.

[William from NOLA]

I received my trophy from Carstereo.com today! It's pretty nice. Here's the pics:
I included my ugly self too :p

[ridr4lif]

OOOOOO AHHHHHH. Thats pretty. :thumbsup Congrats again William
TEDD

[dmeyer07]

Yes congratulations, the setup looks good. Keep up the good work...
I'm considering vinyl for my subwoofer box, but it seems to be a little bit tricky, as far as making it look nice and all.
I'll keep your tips in mind.

[Ryan from Ohio]

Good work!

New vehicle yet? :p



Im going to do vinyl with raised lettering and a Plexi window I think.

Its going to be a pain in the ass, but nobody said this hobby was easy.

[William from NOLA]

lol, not yet. Can't really afford it right now anyhow.

Just remember to be gentle on the vinyl; from removing and replacing my sub box from bringing to to shops, some of it has already started wearing.

[dmeyer07]

william what your gf look like?

[audiobass10]

william what your gf look like?

lol wtf?

[dmeyer07]

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmeyer07
william what your gf look like?



lol wtf?

Meh boredom will do that to ya.

[William from NOLA]

Like the one in the 2nd picture from the top :)

[mikechec9]

first, a fellow brahma man.:thumbsup slick set up. that box looks completely different in the van. really clean and neat set up man.
second, what competition was the trophy in?
third, so if that's you in the van, who then is that in your avatar?

[Chris from Washington]

third, so if that's you in the van, who then is that in your avatar? lol,

who is that a picture of anyways..

[William from NOLA]

hahaha, that is the mug shot or something of that guy that tried to sneak into the US with a bloody chainsaw or something

[mikechec9]

i'm far from judgemental or anything, but that is a really disturbed looking cat (looks like he needs :help: ) and i've been around some actually disturbed beings. he takes the cake in the visual category (made sure he wasn't a relative b4 i said that).
i really thought that was the epitome of why you can't judge a book by its cover. was feeling bad for a while. glad to know i was rightfully suspicious, lol.

[William from NOLA]

haha

I forgot to answer your questions, woops! That trophy was from CarStereo.com's online competition. I have another 3rd place from a local show (in 300-900 legal USACi).

and thanks! ,though my vinyl now is partially coming off in some areas *sigh*.

[sinister audio]

i was wondering about your avatar, i was thinking what kinda carzy f***** do we have on here.

[JeremyC]

Now the scary part is I have a friend back home that looks like he could be related to that guy. Only diffrance, my friend has alot (I mean alot) of facial percings.

[Chris from Washington]

that avatar just cracks me up.

and now that I know the story, it's even funnier. Did this guy really think he was going to make across the border without being stopped, when he looks like that.. (lol)