Few questions about sub-enclosure, and sound suppressent

['96_Talon_TSi]

Ok, on the back of my sub enclosure, I'm planning on putting a clear window. Wouldi be better off using plexi-glass, or should i use Lexan?

To seal the window to the box, use something like silicone?

I dont want the wood of the box to be visible through this window, would a mirror on the wall opposite to the window effect sound horribly? If the mirror would effect the sound of the box, i figure i could take some body filler, sand it and paint it.. would this effect the sound more or less than a mirror?


For sound suppressant. I was thinking some of the AUto-zone spray on "rhino-liner" for trucks would be a good suppressant. I would spray it on the backs of all the trunk and interior panels. I know I should use something more like dynamat, but i will never get the project finished if i use that (money issues). WHat do you guys think about using that spray, or do you have any other suggestions.

If you have some really good tips, feel free to IM me on AIM: Rossiboarder214

Thanks guys.

 

[sophat34]

u can use what ever u want, lexon is really just a brand name pf plexi. I know of a few other names, rhinozoid is a good one as well. plexi is interesting to work with and getting the box to look all pretty on the inside is a big pain as well. depending on what u are doing. I built a few boxes with plexi and it can be done, u will need a good router and alot of patience. make sure and get some thick plexi, 3/4" or thicker. other wise it will flex. you can try and cut the mirrored plexi for the inside but it is very difficult to get it to line up nice and cut perfectly round around the wooffer hole. I would recomend painting the inside with some of that spatter texture stuff, it looks good and is much easier, and u dont have to worry about it rattling inside the box(another problem with the mirrored stuff). if u use mdf u could vinyl the inside with the mirrored vinyl and take it right up to the plexi. that would get rid of the wood look and could really turn out nice as well. you could fiberglass the inside, we used to do that to all of our boxes that we compeated wtih, really stifans up the box, just paint the inside with fiber glass resin, youll want to sand it and probialy paint it cause it doesnt look really nice after its done.

 

['96_Talon_TSi]

Originally posted by sophat34
I would recomend painting the inside with some of that spatter texture stuff, it looks good and is much easier, and u dont have to worry about it rattling inside the box(another problem with the mirrored stuff).

Spatter texture stuff? i've probably seen it, but not known the name. Is it a type of paint or what.

Originally posted by sophat34
if u use mdf u could vinyl the inside with the mirrored vinyl and take it right up to the plexi. that would get rid of the wood look and could really turn out nice as well.

Can i get this mirrored vinyl at any upholstery store, or a fabric store, or is there somewhere special? Yea, i'm using MDF board.

Originally posted by sophat34
you could fiberglass the inside, we used to do that to all of our boxes that we compeated wtih, really stifans up the box,

Well, the outside is going to be supported with fiberglass, and its going to be molded to the interior (between the strut towers), so i dont think it will flex too much.

ANy other tips you guys have for me? THis is gonna be my first show box... i'll post pics and stuff when i get started

 

[sophat34]

are you going to compete in sq with the box? I am guessing that it is a sealed box as well.
the vinyl can be found at sign shops, the stuff with the adhesive backing. same stuff that is used for vinyl graphics. the main problem with cutting the mirrored stuff is that in the corners it is near imposible to get it to look just right. u need to cut the edges at 45 degrees and have them line up perfect. the vinyl is much easier just make sure that the surface is perfectly smooth.
the box will flex regaurdless. the bad part is the plexi window will flex alot more. u want to get the rest of the box as stiff as u can to make up for the flex that the plexi will have. especialy if you are going to try to compete in sq
the spray on sound stuff is usualy made to keep outside noises out. it may help a little for eliminating rattles but I doubt it. I used to use fiberglass home insulation and fleace to put behind the pannels. use the fleace like a gasket for plastic to metal and plastic to plastic contact points.
the spray on stuff u can get an menards or home depot I even think that walmart caries it now to
any kind of texture u can get in the box will help some to elimenate standing waves inside the encosure. it will help to kill some of the resonance too.

 

['96_Talon_TSi]

Yea, its going to be an SQ box. I'm not going to be competeing in ant big shows or sompetitions, mostly just local stuff. And yes, it is also sealed.

In your first post you said to use a 3/4" peice of glass. Think it would be better to use more like 1" or 1 1/4" in order to keep flex down?

Also.. any specific paint you would recommend for painting the fiberglass?

 

[sophat34]

the thicker the plexi glass the better, but it is pricy. u can use pretty much any kind of paint on fiberglass.
just so u know, some people get confused, u are painting the box with fiberglass resin, not painting fiberglass mat. the fiberglass resin will soak in to the mdf pretty good, usualy goes about half way threw or more. make sure u mix the resin as per the instructions, u dont want it curing before it has a chance to soak in to the mdf. then sand it prime it and paint it.