Some progress pic's (Comments welcome)

[Big Tom]

Well, since my pop passed away last month I havn't really had much ambition or time to work on my stereo so it's been sitting for far to long. This weekend a friend at work asked if I wanted to join him and a bunch of friends for a mountain camping excursion and even though I would've loved to go... I decided to pass and got this done so far.

http://www.saskjbody.org/iB_sjc/uploads/post-8-76238-100_2504.jpg

http://www.saskjbody.org/iB_sjc/uploads/post-8-76285-100_2512.jpg

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http://www.saskjbody.org/iB_sjc/uploads/post-8-76417-100_2526.jpg

http://www.saskjbody.org/iB_sjc/uploads/post-8-76490-Image1.jpg

For the record, a 34" x 22" x 14" box will fit into the trunk of a 3rd gen cavalier through the back! But only if the subs are not installed. I kindof half expected to be cutting metal out from behind my rear seat to get this thing to go in... but by some act of God it fits. Plus as an added bonus my (3) 600watt Alpine amps fit across the back almost perfectly! Gives me that warm and tingly feeling just thinking about it


And before anyone asks me how does it sound, I don't know. I didn't really figure there would be much of a point installing it with the amp/subs I'm running (one of the subs is ontop the box in the pic) and only having a pair of Phoenix Gold 6x9's running off the deck for the rest of the stereo. So the box goes in when the front door pannels go in!

And speaking of which...

http://www.saskjbody.org/iB_sjc/uploads/post-8-76917-100_2610.jpg

http://www.saskjbody.org/iB_sjc/uploads/post-8-76998-100_2611.jpg

http://www.saskjbody.org/iB_sjc/uploads/post-8-77065-100_2615.jpg

So yeah, that's where I'm at right now. I'm at the stage of getting rid of all the low spots in the pannel. And now the problem I'm facing right at this moment is how to finish the pannels

What do you guys think? Paint/Vinyl/other?

Now here is the info

Paint: Very hard, all edges have to be perfect, all pin holes removed, sanded to absolute perfection. It's also a high traffic area so I'm wondering how the paint would hold up over time people rubbing arms on it, sometimes passengers kick it etc.

Vinyl: Needs to be decently finished (probably not much more then where I'm at right now) Edges again need to be pretty decent but not nearly as perfect as paint... so saves alot of time plus vinyl would hold up better to abuse over time. One thing I'm worried about though is the armrest, that would strech the vinyl pretty good and I'm worried it will bubble over time.

I prefer the look of paint, but like I said above I'm worried about it's longevity and how much extra work is involved. Any input/oppinions/comments are always appriciated.

[Canadian 2.5RS]

Id say vinyl because paint has to be so perfect to look good.

[BerserkerCatSplat]

Yeah, I'd agree with vinyl. Looks to be good progress so far! :thumbsup:

[Jonathan@TCS]

Looking good. Have you thought about vinyl to match your interior, and then a few body colour matched insert panels, just to add a little style colour. It can look really cool, and it also draws peoples attention away from any inperfections in the vinyl covering.

[schurchill39]

I say do the armrest area in vinyl then do the rest in paint so it looks kind of factory but still sweet

[R32]

use half time body filler all over the panel , sand like a bitch and then when you think its smooth enough sand some more, until like 1500grit wet sand. take it to a body shop and have it painted however you like, itll have a sweet high gloss finish, well if thats what you want anyways

[Primer_Drift]

Use blocking to get it even too, not hand or random orbit sanding. Fiberglass can be a bitch I know from experience! I've used self leveling gelcoat in things like this too and it works out nicely (but more expensive than a body filler). Looks good, keep at it:thumbsup: