DIY Sub - Started Today, Finally!

[derekbannatyne]

Why not just get a quart of the bedliner stuff? It's only $15 and can be found at Wal-Mart. That's what I did, only I didn't use the right kind of brush. My sub is much bigger than yours, and it should be enough for two coats.

[dyazdani]

Why not just get a quart of the bedliner stuff? It's only $15 and can be found at Wal-Mart. That's what I did, only I didn't use the right kind of brush. My sub is much bigger than yours, and it should be enough for two coats.

The local WalMart only has the gallon size for $50 or the spray can for ~$8. I may be going to a bigger city today for shopping :M so I might pick up some supplies there.

I'm really wanting to try black laquer... :twisted:

[dyazdani]

I got two coats of sanding sealer applied. I also bought some sandable primer and black laquer from AutoZone. We'll see how it goes :T

[Red Bastard]

Just curious.. a lot of people seem to prefer the RL-P driver over, say, the Titanic 15", even though on paper the Titanic seems to have better specs and models with a slightly better f3 etc.

What makes this driver stand out?? I noticed on one of the other threads that a comment was made that people are swapping out their Titanics for the RL-P's. Is there a quantifiable difference??

Also, owning a Behringer EP1500, and because the RL-P D2 has a lower Fs would it be better to buy it and series the voice coils?? Is my assumption correct. Sealed box

Chriso

[HMenke]

I need to pick up some sort of sander I guess. Hopefully I can borrow one - the "boss" won't like another tool purchase.

Yeah, but tool purchases come out of the DIY "savings"!

[dyazdani]

Also, owning a Behringer EP1500, and because the RL-P D2 has a lower Fs would it be better to buy it and series the voice coils?? Is my assumption correct. Sealed box

I am getting the D2 version so my amp (EP2500) sees a 4 ohm load. Yes, it is a sealed box (once I put in the driver) :lol:

[dyazdani]

Yeah, but tool purchases come out of the DIY "savings"!

I've used up all my "savings" several times. Starting with the fact that I couldn't sell my current sub to fund the project to begin with. ops:

[HMenke]

Oh yeah, that's a good one! "Honey, first I'll build a new sub, and then recoup some of the money when I sell the old one!" :lol:

[dyazdani]

Lots of progress today - I sanded the raw MDF with 80, 150, and 220 grit paper. I then applied a coat of sanding sealer - smoothed out with 220 when it dried. I put another layer of sealer and wetsanded it with 400 grit. I wasn't exactly thrilled with the wetsanding (it left some of the dried dust/water residue) so I dry sanded very lightly with 400.

I applied one coat (took many light passes) of sandable primer. It looks pretty nice, I could probably live with it by just putting some clearcoat over the primer. I'll sand it down tomorrow and put on another coat.

[chasw98]

Looking very good!!! Take your time with the final stages of painting and try using some fine steel wool to achieve that "glass like" look.

[dyazdani]

Looking very good!!! Take your time with the final stages of painting and try using some fine steel wool to achieve that "glass like" look.

I used some today as well, on the 2nd coat of sealer, prior to the wetsanding.

[steve nn]

Lots of progress today

Yeah you sure did. Looking forward to you firing that bad boy up.

[SteveCallas]

Just curious.. a lot of people seem to prefer the RL-P driver over, say, the Titanic 15", even though on paper the Titanic seems to have better specs and models with a slightly better f3 etc.

The extra excursion definitely sets them apart if you want your sub to go low and loud.

[Red Bastard]

Just looking at your design, did you build up the inner box and screw and then just glue the outer box on top, or did you screw through both and then fill all the holes??
Chris

[dyazdani]

Just looking at your design, did you build up the inner box and screw and then just glue the outer box on top, or did you screw through both and then fill all the holes??
Chris

I built the outer box first and then built "panels" to glue on the inside. The panels doubled up the wall thickness and made a poor-man's dado for the braces. The last piece was the top section, it went on in two full pieces.

I did not use any screws in the construction, just glue and lots of clamps. I build a car sub one time using screws and I was not pleased with the result.

[dyazdani]

Not as much time to work today due to a family lunch, etc.

I was having trouble with the primer really doing much as far as preparing the surface. I'm not having much luck with the sanding, seems like junk builds up on certain parts of the paper and then makes streaks in the surface :M

I changed to a "high fill" primer, I like it MUCH better. We'll see how it goes from here...

[dyazdani]

Got one coat of black lacquer applied. It went on pretty easy. The baffle is VERY smooth, can't say the same for the rest, but it's still not bad for a first try.

I'll probably sand the lacquer with very fine paper, say 1000 grit or so and then apply the 2nd coat. Finally, some clear lacquer to top it off and a bunch of polishing... :E

[Paul H]

Looking good - I'm assuming that bike is moved way back during spraying?

Paul

[khellandros66]

I would go one more coat and sand it down with 2500 grit, then apply the last coat and then buffer it.

~Bob

[dyazdani]

Looking good - I'm assuming that bike is moved way back during spraying?

Paul

YES! I move our nice car out onto the street and roll my bike way out of the way near the front door. I don't want a peppery yellow bike...

I don't know if they even have 2500 grit paper here. I'll have to go back to AZ, didn't see it the other day. I may need another can of lacquer in that case.

Would you sand before putting on the clear topcoat? I'm worried about it dulling the finish or making it turn sort of gray.

[Glen]

Great work! Looks like your nearing the end. That didn't seem to take you very long at all.

[dyazdani]

Great work! Looks like your nearing the end. That didn't seem to take you very long at all.

It wasn't too bad. The sanding and painting seems the most labor intensive...

[Rene D]

I know the feeling with the finish. when I did these little guys the finish took me almost a week to get done. As much as I love doing the high gloss black lacquer. I hate hate hate having to dust it every other day.

Image not available

[dyazdani]

I know the feeling with the finish. when I did these little guys the finish took me almost a week to get done. As much as I love doing the high gloss black lacquer. I hate hate hate having to dust it every other day.

Those are very nice looking.

[khellandros66]

I would put one more coat on, sand it with the 2500 grit, then put the last coat on and buff that to a piano gloss.


EDIT: in the phot the black seemed a little thin so that is why I recommend the above step. This will get you two more coats and eliminate any chance on thinning. 2500 grit is really fine so it won't take nearly as much off as the previous 1000 grit you used.


~Bob

EDIT 2: I circled the areas where thinning appears, I know there is reflection from the flash but this helps bring out thin spots in the finish.

[dyazdani]

I would put one more coat on, sand it with the 2500 grit, then put the last coat on and buff that to a piano gloss.

OK. I'll see if I can find 2500 grit... I haven't actually used the 1000 yet, that's just the finest I have.

I'll do one coat more, sand it with whatever the finest I can get 2000, 2500 maybe and then put on a final coat, buff it and apply a few coats of Deft (clear gloss lacquer) after a few days.

[Rene D]

Those are very nice looking.

I have a few other that are done in high gloss lacquer black as well.

Images not available

The ones at the bottom are my most recent, Might try and get the sub i'm planning to match it via look. But i'm not too sure if I'll be able to find that much Zebra wood. think I might just do the top in paduk like the bafles on my mains and center.

Rene D

[Landroval]

Nice finishes Rene D! The wooden 3-ways are very nice. Hope they'll sound as good as they look.

[dyazdani]

Nice finishes Rene D! The wooden 3-ways are very nice. Hope they'll sound as good as they look.

Yes, that Zebra wood is awesome!

I put on the 2nd coat of black lacquer tonight, looks better with each coat. I'll have to buy another can tomorrow and see if I can find some fine sandpaper.

[Rene D]

Yes, that Zebra wood is awesome!

I put on the 2nd coat of black lacquer tonight, looks better with each coat. I'll have to buy another can tomorrow and see if I can find some fine sandpaper.

Well for now all i can say about the black lacquer is, keep doing as many coats. My little ones have six coats of just the lacquer. As for sanding, do a wet-sand with 400-600 after each coat dries. keep a bucket of warm water beside you to rince off the sand paper often. it gets real messy after a while. Once you get down to the last coat, you can get a good polishing compound to finish it all off for that mirror shine.

Personly, I'll just stick with the wet sanding and a good spray gun.

Rene D

[dyazdani]

Well for now all i can say about the black lacquer is, keep doing as many coats. My little ones have six coats of just the lacquer. As for sanding, do a wet-sand with 400-600 after each coat dries. keep a bucket of warm water beside you to rince off the sand paper often. it gets real messy after a while. Once you get down to the last coat, you can get a good polishing compound to finish it all off for that mirror shine.

Personly, I'll just stick with the wet sanding and a good spray gun.

Rene D

I can buy 3-4 cans just as easy as one! The wife won't like it though :E I saved myself by not getting the one $50 can of truck bed liner. Now I'll spend $50 on 3 cans of primer, 6 cans of black, and a can of clear! :W

I've got the wet sanding down now, I wasn't using enough water the first try. It would dry out and the once slurried dust would stick all over everything.

[Rene D]

I can buy 3-4 cans just as easy as one! The wife won't like it though :E I saved myself by not getting the one $50 can of truck bed liner. Now I'll spend $50 on 3 cans of primer, 6 cans of black, and a can of clear! :W

I've got the wet sanding down now, I wasn't using enough water the first try. It would dry out and the once slurried dust would stick all over everything.

*LAUGH* I know the feeling. I asked the wife just HOW big was too big for a sub, what a mistake on my part! But we came to a comprimise... IF you can call it that. It's going to cost me way me more than I was wanting to spend just to "make it pretty". I think i'll do the o'll "sock" method over the sides and a nice paduk top. Or if I feel the urge to pull what little hair I have left out. I might venture into some nice in-layed zebra wood.

Rene D

[Red Bastard]

Truck bed liner - something I think is not available in Australia. Can you explain what it is?? and maybe I'll be able to have a look and see what a compatible product is here, and whether it is useable.

I'm not a big fan of the piano look black (plus honestly have not got the patience...), but want to go with more a matt effect for the outside of the sub.

[dyazdani]

Truck bed liner - something I think is not available in Australia. Can you explain what it is??

Here's a link to the manufacturer's website...

[ThomasW]

In the US there are proably 1/2 dozen companies making bed liner. I'm pretty sure something similar is available in Oz.

Rhino is the company that started the whole idea

[dyazdani]

In the US there are proably 1/2 dozen companies making bed liner. I'm pretty sure something similar is available in Oz.

Rhino is the company that started the whole idea

Yeah, I should've said a link to A manufacturer's site, not THE site...

Just don't let your wife see the gallon size can... you need to bleed your money out in pieces.

[Red Bastard]

In the US there are proably 1/2 dozen companies making bed liner. I'm pretty sure something similar is available in Oz.

Rhino is the company that started the whole idea

Ta. They're the ones here in Oz. Thanks. I'll get myself a can of it and see how it looks

[BlakeN]

Just a tip when wet sanding get yourself a spray bottle and just keep on squirting.

Also when you are all done get yourself some high gloss car wax. It will realy bring out the shine.

[dyazdani]

Just a tip when wet sanding get yourself a spray bottle and just keep on squirting.

Also when you are all done get yourself some high gloss car wax. It will realy bring out the shine.

I've got a hard foam sanding block that soaks up a little water. If I need more, I just give it a little SQUEEZE.

I've got both rubbing and polishing compounds along with some car wax, so I think I'm set there. I just need to find time to run by the store for a couple more cans of black.

[dyazdani]

Well, I bought AutoZone out of lacquer last night so I have to go elsewhere. I should be close on the finish by this weekend...

[dyazdani]

Put one more coat on tonight after wet sanding. It didn't work out very well :M The paint just didn't look right, maybe I got a bad can or something.

I'll get a couple more tomorrow and go back over it...

[dyazdani]

I put two more coats of lacquer on today, sanding with 800 grit in between.

I then wet sanded with 1500 grit, applied polishing compound, and finally went through Step 1 and Step 2 of Meguiar's 3 step polish. It looked awesome, just like a pro in the spots with good surface.

I sprayed a couple coats of clear lacquer, so I guess I get to do the sanding and polishing again.

I'll post pics if I get it polished, it just looks like rough black right now since I put on the coat of clear.

[SteveCallas]

How many coats total are you at now?

[dyazdani]

How many coats total are you at now?

Let's see... 3 primer, 5 black lacquer, and 2 clear lacquer (Deft). My arm is about to fall off from polishing...

[derekbannatyne]

Wow now I'm glad I decided to use truck bed liner, but I'm sure that yours looks alot better.